Duff0712 Posted December 30, 2014 Report Share Posted December 30, 2014 On my 12g long I currently have 2 6700k 6-8" 13w cfl and they are doing great! However where they hit closest in the tank I am having some hair algae problems which I am positive is just because there is too much light in those spots. Does anyone have any ideas of how I can build/ buy a fixture to house the cfls and get them further away from the tank? I would like to keep from wall/ceiling mounting and have something with legs to rest on the tank. Open to all suggestions! -Duffy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
35ppt Posted December 30, 2014 Report Share Posted December 30, 2014 I have heard that circulation can be a factor. Any way to modify your existing aeration? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metageologist Posted December 30, 2014 Report Share Posted December 30, 2014 Do you have a photo of your current setup? This may aid in finding a solution. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duff0712 Posted December 31, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2014 My aeration isn't the best but the circulation is strongest at the two points of hair algae. I do have a picture of the setup in one of my journals but I can't link to it at the moment. -Duffy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duff0712 Posted December 31, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2014 Here we go, this is the set up im currently using for light http://www.shrimpspot.com/index.php?/topic/1074-shrimpcrayfishplant-rack-in-the-making/page-2. Its the first picture on that page. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
35ppt Posted January 1, 2015 Report Share Posted January 1, 2015 I assume you don't have another shelf to make another level on the rack? I have seen people build stands out of PVC, and hang the lights from that. Just basically a box frame. The stand would rest on the shelf for stability, instead of the tank rim, though. Soothing Shrimp and Duff0712 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesHe Posted January 1, 2015 Report Share Posted January 1, 2015 You need 5 things: 1, power supply (laptop one is perfect, Lenovo 20V 4.5A for older IBM laptop) I had couple from my old laptop, so basically it's free. 2, heat sink ( again, older computer heat sink) 3, Fan (120mm computer fan, you only need it from anything >10W) 4, LED driver (boost mode DC/DC regulator) $5 from eBay, output is adjustable, I will use it for 30W total output power: http://www.ebay.com/itm/400601163750?_trksid=p2059210.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT 5, LED module (10W, 20W, 30W, 50W, 100W) below is 100W LED module, $5 from eBay, 9000-10000LM: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Office-100W-Cold-White-High-Power-9000-10000LM-LED-light-Lamp-SMD-Chip-Lighting-/121516485281?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c4af26aa1 I use "Arctic Silver™ Thermal Adhesive" to glue it to heat sink. Duff0712 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
35ppt Posted January 2, 2015 Report Share Posted January 2, 2015 Ooh, thanks for the pictorial and the links. Would that be enough spread for a 12 gal? If you are going to change the light altogether, I would also consider the LED landscape box lights. But again, you'd need a mounting solution. I would also question the spread - how many would be needed? BTW, I have seen it mentioned that as they age, CFL lights may promote the growth of algae. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duff0712 Posted January 5, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 5, 2015 The cfls I have have only been used for a couple months. I did a small test and moved my lights and sure enough in like 2 days the algae moved to the closest to the new spot. I think I'm going to take an old t5 or t8 fixture, gut it and drill some holes to just put them in the fixture -Duffy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cindygao0217 Posted January 18, 2015 Report Share Posted January 18, 2015 You can a shop ballast you buy from Walmart and just connect to a aquarium light it cost under 20 dollar it only cost me 15 dollar to make mine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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