Introduction: CFL Bulb: the Cheap Upgrade to the Aquarium Hood Light
CFLs(Compact Flourescent Lightbulbs) are getting cheaper and better in every way. But meanwhile flourescent lightbulbs for aquariums at my local fish store costed around 12 bucks and seem to be getting more expensive. It diddn't help that my aquarium hood light's circuitry was all rusted and broken and bulbs would burn out on a weekly basis because of it. Finally I was fed up with it all and decided to do something about it.
At first I found the instructables on how to make an led light. I thought I would do that but when I went to Fry's Electronics I found out that it would be like 40 dollars to by all the led's I needed. I couldv'e bought them online but being my impacient self, I diddnt. Plus I diddn't like all the tedious soldering that went into everything.
Finally I came up with this: The Compact Flourescent Aquarium Hood Light
some benefiets are:
-No soldering!( YAY)
-Easy to aquire materials
-Brighter aquarium
-Cheaper to replace bulb
-Every time you replace the bulb it also replaces all the circuitry so it'll last a long time
Step 1: Things You Need
Here are the materials you need:
-Aquarium hood light
-CFL Bulb
-Not needed desk lamp
-wire connectors- rated 120 volts (I found these in the old circuitry of aquarium hood light)
-Sheet metal or Aluminum Foil (I used sheet metal but aluminum foil would probably work just as well)
Tools:
-Hot glue gun
-Screw driver (for taking out the circuitry of hood light)
Step 2: Take Everything Out of the Hood Light
This is pretty self explanatory, but make sure you save the wire connectors from it. After you're done, you will have the case made. Sorry no pics
Step 3: Take the Light Fixture Out of the Desk Lamp
For this step, take the desk lamp and somehow take the actual fixture out. For mine, I had to unscrew a nut off the back. Now trim the cord with some scissors so it's about 3-4 inches long and strip the rubber back so bare wire is showing. It should look like the pic below except without the sheet metal and other stuff around it.
Step 4: Glue in Sheet Metal/aluminum Foil
Glue the sheet metal or aluminum foil near the middle of the hood light case. If you use sheet metal, then I would recommend that you use a book to crease the metal to fit it exactly.
Step 5: Glue the Light Fixture Into the Hood Light
Here you have to use hot glue to glue the light fixture in. Make sure it's the correct distance away from the sheet metal so that the light reflects off of it. Also, use something to space it up so that when you insert the light , it isn't touching the sheet metal or the aquarium itself. I used a scrap piece of metal for it.
Step 6: Put Connectors on the Wires
Here you just want to connect the wires from the light fixture to the power cord of of the aquarium hood light.
Step 7: Test It
Now you just screw in the cfl bulb and plug 'er in. If you did everything right then it should light up.
Hooray, you have just upgraded your aquarium light.
If you have any questions just comment
ps. sorry for my shortage on pics
21 Comments
11 years ago on Introduction
Great idea... but the bulbs meant for aquarium use need to be used they provide parts of the spectrum that fish and plants need, (never use a cfl for saltwater the coral will suffer). i've been breeding fish for a while and have tried many different types of lights and in the long run the flourescent tubes are better for your aquarium.
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
In a small still water aquarium anything does a good job: Incandescents lamps, CFL, leds, indirect sunlight, whatever.
Reply 8 years ago
Also not true. The light temperature, the wattage, pars and purs all make a huge difference. Using any old bulb can add excess or not enough light. Which can lead to big problems in your tank, especially ths dreaded bba.
Reply 7 years ago
It all depends on bio load, filtration type and how much, frequency of water changes and quality of water being used for said water changes. Though I do agree that too much light will make it hard to keep algea under control.
Reply 8 years ago
You certainly can use cfls for saltwater. They are called Sho bulbs. They are available in 10000 kelvins or more which is plenty of light temp for corals. They also deliver more useable pars and purs and use less energy than metal halides and flourescents.
10 years ago on Introduction
Daylight temps (aim for 6500K) are good for plants.
13 years ago on Introduction
. Great job
.
. As lemonie points out, fluorescent tubes for aquaria output a different color mix than CFLs (or maybe I should say that I haven't seen any CFLs labeled for aquarium use). Any live plants may suffer (but the increased overall light level may make up for it).
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
they make full spectrum grow CFLs, and hopefully CFLs labeled for aquarium use never happen, because of the pricepoint of things. currently using 2 CFLs on my 10 gal glofish aquarium, two party bulbs from Wal Mart, one accentic (sp?) and one UV/blacklight.
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
These guys have them for aquarium use... http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/PowerCompact.html
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
They do make them, but they cost more than standard CFL bulbs. The color output isn't really as big of a deal as the bulb makers would have you believe.
It is more critical when using fluorescent bulbs with reptiles or with corals. These applications do need full spectrum.
13 years ago on Introduction
Fluorescent.
The aquarium tubes are expensive because they output at higher colour-temperatures than other fluorescent tubes, this will have some effect upon the tank & things living in it.
L
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
You can buy full spectrum CFL's
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
colour temperature is something else though.
L
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
More then enough information to conclude that some CFLs are just as good as aquarium flors lights... http://americanaquariumproducts.com/Aquarium_Lighting.html
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
yes, full of information that, good find.
L
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/PowerCompact.html
13 years ago on Introduction
One thing about these CFLs as well is that when they get dimmer from wear, when you replace them you get all new driver electronics as well. They dont go dim as fast as tubes either.
13 years ago on Introduction
You know, I think I may do this, I'm getting sick of the fluo. tube in ours (so inefficient and takes up room in the top where I store the food & cleaning stuff), AND you can buy proper light bulbs for aquariums in CFL form, so, yeah, great idea... :)
13 years ago on Introduction
Painting the inside of the hood white is really simple and makes the light output even better then the sheet metal. Thats what Ive seen done and done myself.
13 years ago on Introduction
Actually, the Home Depot and Lowes sell CFL that go up to 6500K which would be ideal for an aquarium.