Hood Upgrade Completed!!! :D

[Whoyah]

I got my hood upgrade mostly completed today and it looks and works pretty sweet. I took my 4 x 96 pc hood and attached a 2 x 55 pc hood (original hood w/ the tank). I used a stainless steel piano hinge to attach the two. The 2x55 flips up and rests on the 4x96 giving me access to the tank. I put in a push button switch between the two, so that when I open it up, the 2x55 goes off automatically.

I also added in 4 moon lights.

I have a few thing left to do, like paint the side boards black but that will have to wait until it warms up outside a little. The cost was pretty minimal since I already had both hoods. The bulk of the cost was in the moon light stuff.

I have been waiting to change out my bulbs until I got the project complete. I didn't want to break anything during construction. I am really excited to see how it looks with all the new bulbs. I had the 2x55 (10k)on for about 6 hours today and figured I would ramp up over the next week and the change maybe one or two 96 bulbs next weekend. I going from 4 x 50/50 to 2 x 10k and 2 actinics. Does that seem to fast, should I space them out longer?

[dakar]

Looking good... now that's a true DIY'r, hack em together and they still look good. Whats holding the standoff's on the sides down to the tank?

[davejnz]

cool,looks much better than when i tried tor tie 2 T5's into my old PC fixture.It looked pretty ridiculous,wish i would of took a pic.

[Reptoreef]

Nice red neck riggin's... I would be proud to call that my work. Awesome job!!!

[Whoyah]

Whats holding the standoff's on the sides down to the tank?


Gravity so far. The boards that the fixture seats on are 1.25" wide if I remember correctly. They are very stable. I thought of using some velcro to hold them in place after I paint them. Knock on wood, I shouldn't have a problem unless we have a huge earthquake or something. Of course, I will have other issues to deal with at that point so... :lol:

Thanks for the complements. I am really happy the way it turned out. Any suggestions on the new bulb phase in. I was thinking 1 10k and 1 actinic to replace 2 50/50s.

[Reptoreef]

Your new bulb scheme sounds like a solid plan, IMO.

[Whoyah]

Excellent. I'll change a set this weekend.

[Reptoreef]

Git 'er dun!!!

[Whoyah]

Holy Cow!!!! :shock: :shock: :shock:

I used a light meter tonight to check light levels before and after I installed my second phase of bulbs. All of the measurements were taken from 12" away and centered in the hood. Here are the numbers;

Old Bulbs: 4 x 96 watt (all 50/50s) 18 months old = 13,000 lux

Old Bulbs + 2 new x 55 watt (10Ks) = 17,000 lux

2 Old Bulbs + 2 x55 + 2 x 96 (1 act 03 and 1 10K) = 28,000 lux

I have two more bulbs (1 10K and 1 act03) that I will change out in week or so. I turned my photo period down to about 5 hrs and I will ramp it up. I can't believe the jump. Once they get adjusted the corals should like it, I hope. :D

[dakar]

Wow doubling the total available light, that should really brightne things up.