DIY Hood build and T5 Retrofit

Discussion in 'Reef Lighting' started by lillys Grandad, Sep 4, 2009.

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  1. lillys Grandad

    lillys Grandad Horrid Stonefish

    Joined:
    Feb 25, 2008
    Messages:
    2,074
    Location:
    Rio Linda, California
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    Started with some basic 1 x 1...screws, glue...TAPE MEASURE !!
    Gonna finnaly get rid of all that wasted lighting/bleeding from that combo.

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    Put it in shape....

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    Removed front top support...I was just using that to make it goood and square...gotta have a door.

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    Fast forward...
    Put some wood to it...built the hood door....

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    Stainless steal piano hinge....

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    Lots'o paint...non flamable...non toxic...touch up required..;)

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    Back open for air flow....

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    Got my goodies....so nervous, my hands were shacking the camera!:cheesy:
    Reflectors.....Ballist....Lites..... cool8)

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    Light ballist test, center whites...

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    Light Ballist test ALL...I have found thru trial and error...check out the stuff before you install it..:p

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    Reflectors...need to cut this one down to fit in hood door..

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    All good...oh forgot to mention the hole for the fan....there it is !

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    get'r'done !

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    Its gonna work !

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    very soon...veeeery soon !... got the wires cleaned up...except the door ballist.

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    Ballist install...I like the look...and my stand is tall...so on top is no issue.

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    Fits like a glove...

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    Hood open...

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    Number 6 lite fits nice and door operates smooothly;D

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    Fan is placed well...still got some cable management on that front ballist.

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    Here is the speaker cover..err, I mean FAN cover....I know...more cable management ...But my Lunar set up just arrived ..so its coming off when the lights go out (no more tramma) And I will install lunar and manage cable...I think it turned out fine. We will see how the T5s stands up to the MH / CF / Lunar combo setup I had.
    Hope you all enjoyed........... I had a ball..:p

    LG
     
    lillys Grandad, Sep 4, 2009
    lillys Grandad, Sep 4, 2009
    #1
    2 people like this.

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  2. missionsix

    missionsix Super Moderator Staff Member

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    Do you like the look better Tim????? Nice lookin' job!!!!!!
     
    missionsix, Sep 4, 2009
    missionsix, Sep 4, 2009
    #2
  3. dpruitt7450

    dpruitt7450 Bubble Tip Anemone

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    St.Pete FL
    looks good lilly, nice and clean im building my hood 2morrow for my t5s to :)
     
    dpruitt7450, Sep 4, 2009
    dpruitt7450, Sep 4, 2009
    #3
    1 person likes this.
  4. Blue Falcon

    Blue Falcon Fire Goby

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    awesome!
     
    Blue Falcon, Sep 4, 2009
    Blue Falcon, Sep 4, 2009
    #4
    1 person likes this.
  5. lillys Grandad

    lillys Grandad Horrid Stonefish

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    I like the fact that the lights are not bleeding all over the room...It was my first thought...to tear down the combo and retro fit the guts inside the hood...no bueno.
    So...T5s were the way to go...flip a coin on performance..I think I've heard alot from both sides of the fence...as I said...we will see.
    BTW..I have already noticed a positive reaction from my corals..and it is easier on the eyes....jury still out on the fish!

    LG
     
    lillys Grandad, Sep 4, 2009
    lillys Grandad, Sep 4, 2009
    #5
  6. UltimateWarrior

    UltimateWarrior Spaghetti Worm

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    Houston, TX
    It looks great! How does much did this project run you?
     
    UltimateWarrior, Sep 4, 2009
    UltimateWarrior, Sep 4, 2009
    #6

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  7. lillys Grandad

    lillys Grandad Horrid Stonefish

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    Location:
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    I built the hood for about 60.00...and the rest.. Ballist, reflectors and lites was about 300.00:p

    But I will selll my combo for 250.00 easy.
     
    lillys Grandad, Sep 4, 2009
    lillys Grandad, Sep 4, 2009
    #7
  8. Robman

    Robman Great White Shark

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    Where did you get the speaker (I mean fan cover) I like!! I need!!!
     
    Robman, Sep 4, 2009
    Robman, Sep 4, 2009
    #8
  9. lillys Grandad

    lillys Grandad Horrid Stonefish

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    I got one more!!
    PM your address..I'll ship it to ya no charge....they came in a set ya know ! : ) LOL
     
    lillys Grandad, Sep 4, 2009
    lillys Grandad, Sep 4, 2009
    #9
  10. ReefSparky

    ReefSparky Super Moderator

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    That's some good work, LG!! Enjoy that hood. It looks great!! :)
     
    ReefSparky, Sep 4, 2009
    ReefSparky, Sep 4, 2009
    #10
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