Built this this evening from scraps.
materials
dual 12" blue cold cathode fluorescence lamps (free, Thanks Darth tater)
power supply DC 12V (laying around from some previous electronic gadget)
t-5 used reflector (Phenomenal Aquatics $2 Thanks Ed)
Duct tape
zip ties
wire nuts
electrical tape
The lamps and power supply can be had at most computer parts stores. The rest at hardware store. I wouldn't suggest buying a new reflector to do this.
construction:
I drilled small holes for the zip ties to hold the lamps in place. 4 holes smaller than the head of the zip tie, 2 for each lamp.
Threaded 1 zip tie through a single hole from the back of the reflector and looped the lamp and back through the single hole. zipped it tight. the wires facing inward towards the center.
drilled a 1/2" hole in the middle to fit the male ends of the wires through.
Duct taped the inverter that came with the lamps on the back side of the reflector.
plunged the lamps in.
I cut off the on/off switch from the lamps and cut off the terminal end of the power supply. Stripped the ends of the wires. Then I connected (with wire nut and E-tape)the black wire to the black wire of the power supply and connected(with wire nut and E-tape) the red wire to the black/white stripped wire of the power supply.
Duct taped the wires to the back length of the reflector.
Then I just plug it into a timer. Presto! moonlight. Took maybe ten minutes. Sorry I'm no expert at taking pics in the dark. The light cast in the tank is not as intense as the pics show. It creates a nice light blue effect through out the 65gal tank.
Side note: these lamps are cheap and some light brighter than others.
Hope this inspires a few DIYers. Cheers!
moon lights
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