DIY 3' T5 Stand

[aquanoob]

Hi all,

Wish to share my DIY 3' T5 Stand and hopefully can gather some constructive comments.

I've planned to use a 2" PVC trunking and a 39W DIY T5 KIT from DE Lightings.

Requirements:

- 39W T5 DIY Kit (Changed normal endcap to waterproof type).

- 2" PVC Trunking (bought from electical shop with standard 2m length).

[aquanoob]

Firstly, remove PVC trunking top cover and cut according to your tank length.

[aquanoob]

Then cut a hole on both end to fit the waterproof endcaps.

[aquanoob]

Waterproof endcap should fit nicely like this.

[aquanoob]

All 4 waterproof endcap in place.

[aquanoob]

Attach tubes and connect to eballast.

[aquanoob]

Attach M reflector.

[aquanoob]

Completed 3' T5 Stand.

[aquanoob]

Hook it up on tank and let there be light!

* Both ends were not covered intentionally. I'm still monitoring the heat generated by the ballast and so far running about 3 hours and no significant heat generated.

[aquanoob]

So far so good.

Damaged:

39W DIY T5 Kit from DE Lightings (Changed endcap to waterproof type) - SGD105.00

2" Trunking (standard 2m) - SGD5.50

5m single core wire - SGD5.00

[nakazoru]

Good work and nice tank you have.

Just one note, the ballast heats up quite a bit, monitor if it will melt the PVC. I understood some PVC is lesser in heat resistance. Most duct are for air-con if I'm not wrong, so may not withstand heat very well

[Ocean Werx]

nicest DIY i've ever seen.

[k0na_scab]

ello aquanoob

nice wk !!! looks much better then mine ...

but the trunkin,single core wire i got is slightly cheaper

trunkin for $5 for 8ft

20m of single core wire $5

but i got them at the factories behind my place

might be the case ... dats y cheaper LOL

[dominik]

very nice. could use a bigger trunking to make a 4 tubes T5 casing.

[aquanoob]

HI all,

Thanks for the comments.

nakazoru: The heat was my main concern too. So far heat generated by ballast is not hot enough to raise concern over melting the trunking.

k0na_scab: Hehe good for you if you can get it cheaper. I bought mine all from SimLim Square

dominik: Good idea, you've just inspired me to DIY a 3 tubes stand but I need to figure out how mount the reflector for the tubes mounted below the trunking.

I also have this crazy idea that if the ballast is generating heat enough to raise concern, I'll try to mount those tiny computer fan on one of the end of the trunking to pull the heat out. But then again I'll need to figure out to power up the fan and etc

[ervine]

great DIY dude... really cheap and easy! thumbs up for u...

nice tank too!

[wil_lee76]

wow! amazing...maybe i PM u later to seek advise from you....!!!! wait for my PM pal!! anwyayz,neat and well done!

[keithtanbb]

very neat and seems pretty stable- but be very careful of the heat/try to insulate the ballast with aluminium strip, wish more people will "experiment " and post their Diy projects, good or bad, alway good to have ideas to brain -storm, thumbs up on yours

[supremo]

good job bro,looked really neat very nicely cut holes too! looked like done in a workshop

[aquanoob]

good job bro,looked really neat very nicely cut holes too! looked like done in a workshop

Hahaha.. Thanks bro, those holes were cut using acrylic cutter. Very easy I must say but provided your cutting square holes.

Updates on the lighting:

Have been running more then 10 hours straight and the ballast is not producing enough heat to raise trunking meltdown concern. To be frank, the ballast in the PVC trunking is much much cooler compared to the Atman FL Aluminum casing I was using before.

Maybe I'll try to cover both end of the trunking (for cleaner finishing look) and see whether there’s a heat buildup. Will update again...

[spawns]

I also have this crazy idea that if the ballast is generating heat enough to raise concern, I'll try to mount those tiny computer fan on one of the end of the trunking to pull the heat out. But then again I'll need to figure out to power up the fan and etc 

this pic might help you.....

[aquanoob]

Hi spawns,

Thanks for the idea but I'm thinking of a way to do without the DC transformer cause I don't really like to waste another power point just to run the fan but since most of those small fan are likely to run on DC and the heat generated by the ballast does not cause any concern, I'll shelf it for now. Cheers~

[giantbicycle]

Bravo!!!

[tayhonglee]

hi aquanoob,

can you tell me what is the width of your lights? im trying to figure out a way light up a wall mounted tank, and yours look like its perfect.

great idea man! thanx!

henry

[aquanoob]

A sad day for me... came home to a dead mandarin fish on the floor

Maybe he mistaken the T5 lighting to be the light from heaven and jump out of the tank..