Custom Aluminum Frame Fabrication

jservedio · Sep 17, 2013

I am looking to have an Aluminum Frame custom made to hold my Radion Pro as well as 4 additional 24" T5HO Bulbs w/ Reflectors (2 on each side).

Does anyone know of anyone who could fabricate something like this? I would just need the frame built from a detailed set of plans (yet to be made) and drilled to allow for the attachment of the LED fixture as well as the T5 retro-kit.

Here is a rough idea of what I am looking for (Awesome MSPaint Plans!)

I could build it myself from box-aluminum tubes if I didn't have the T5s offset lower than the LEDs, but I want it to look sleek and have all the wiring concealed in shrink-wrap and bundled up in a plastic corrugated wire tube (or possibly hidden within the aluminum frame). The ballasts for the T5s and LED would be in a separate location so it doesn't need to hold a lot of weight.

This is the T5 kit I plan on adding to it:
24" 4x24W Miro-4 T5 High-Output Retrofit Kit - Miro-4 Retrofit Kits - LET Lighting - T5 Fluorescent - LightingIf you can build something like this or know of a shop that could fabricate it, let me know! I love my Radion Pros, but I really would like to add some T5s to the mix to get the best of both worlds!

powdermonkey · Sep 17, 2013

With ez-tube you could make the t-5s lower and do it yourself.

jservedio · Sep 17, 2013

powdermonkey said:
With ez-tube you could make the t-5s lower and do it yourself.

That looks like a decent option - but they only have connectors in 90 degrees. Everything is based on a boxes. However, it is really nice that they have it available in anodized black, everything is standard, and they are hollow to route wires though. Also, some of them have "fins" for easily attaching T5s and LEDs so that is another plus.

Only problem that I see is it might look amateurish if I do it DIY. It is going to be going over a rimless starphire tank and it needs to look good.

Might be easier to just buy an old gutted 8 or 10 bulb fixture and go that route. However, custom fabrication is my #1 pick right now. I just need to find someone to do it!