What to use to make a light hood

domination2580 · Dec 10, 2015

i have 4 t12 bubls with two ballasts, they are currently in a wooden box like hood, i would like to make it lighter, easier to hang and make it more viewable. any ideas?

saltyfilmfolks · Dec 12, 2015

Sooooo many choices. Anything that can handle a little heat and not warp really. Look at hanging lamp design. Got to Home Depot. Insulation foam covered in fabric. Or wood veneer. Very thin acrylic painted or with an opaque transfer. Jimi Hendrix or Dolphins.
And get rid of the 12's. It's cheap to replace them with t5s. Craigslist. eBay for tubes unless your running fresh planted.

domination2580 · Dec 14, 2015

I've had amazing color with my t12. And wouldn't I have to replace more t5 more often since I would need more bulbs?

saltyfilmfolks · Dec 14, 2015

Don't Change if you like what you have.
And no t5 in reefing are t5 VHO. Very high output. They produce more light at lower wattage.

domination2580 · Dec 14, 2015

OK. So 4 vho would work the same as the t12?

Dtackett · Dec 14, 2015

t12 works just as well as t5. the issue is, the t12 actually need more bulbs to produce the same results and are bigger all while pulling more power.

domination2580 · Dec 14, 2015

How does it need more bulbs? If they are both vho

Reefing Madness · Dec 14, 2015

VHO are fine. T12 N.O. Lamps are only used for fish only tanks, as they don't produce any kind of good light.
T5HO are a very good light
T12 VHO are a great light, but went by the way side, as T5HO took over. IMO, VHO Actinics are still the best there are.

saltyfilmfolks · Dec 14, 2015

Some are still old school and thats fine.

domination2580 · Dec 14, 2015

I have the454 vho t12.

twilliard · Dec 14, 2015

The only thing i worry is the phase out of t12 lamps.
I ran vho for several years but then became hard to find around here.
I built my own wood canopy over the 125 i had. Looked great and housed vho and halide
It had a hinged top to easily replace lamps

domination2580 · Dec 14, 2015

Dr foster has them

. That's where I got mine

saltyfilmfolks · Dec 14, 2015

They gottem on sale down the street for 5 bucks! 10 year supply $50!
It is about our personal choices.

If any yall talk smack bout my reverse UG tank we gonna have words.

I gotta go hang my Metal halide.

(next to my custom14 color pi controlled led)

twilliard · Dec 14, 2015

An easy way to make it lighter is to relocate the ballasts. Are you using magnetic or electronic?

saltyfilmfolks · Dec 14, 2015

The original topic, lamp hood.
Heres a link. you can fabricate just the frame and Paper it or upholster it as well.
http://www.3reef.com/threads/open-top-vs-canopy.144525/page-3

Really depend on you diy skills.

ReeferBob · Dec 15, 2015

A good reflector is critical. Don't even consider making your own fixture without one. But if you are going to DIY a fixture I would go LED.

domination2580 · Dec 15, 2015

I have this setup with two brand new bulbs...I figured I'd use them up then keep them as a back up.

saltyfilmfolks · Dec 15, 2015

I'm having the same design problem for a hood or canopy. I'm lookin at some of the Canopy that have the fixture on a shelf or shelf bracket so to speak and the canopy is three side surrounding the fixture. Considering using a fabric like a certain too for that. I kinda like that idea then I can change the fixture when I want. It does leaf to top open like the one in the above link. Not sure I like that thoug.
Back in the olden days a lot of house lamps came an a retractable yo yo so you could pull up and down and the lamp stays put.
My MH has one. I'm going to look into those Then it's like a floating adjustable hood.