Ballasts sit inside the cabinet! You don't have to use acrylic on top of the light tubes, replace with an aluminum strip instead! You can then mount the tube end caps directly to the aluminum strip.
Ivan, that's brilliant. Yours is all aluminum! Looks good. I like the angles in the top and the aluminum finish. Although I'd have to build a small metal bender to do this... I still like the ultra slim look though. So I'd make the entire unit 4mm taller than the tubes, with the tubes flush with the bottom. Also would house the ballasts in the cabinet under the tank to keep weight and bulk at a minimum. Good design.
Barry - that was my plan at first, and i believe by doing that one would make the unit nice and small, but the wiring would be hard work. guess its all up to what richard can do, and what he finds easy.
That'd be great Sean. Gaah! and you're getting one for FREE! A prezzie you say..... Hrumph, I think I'm going to eat earth worms now!!!
Very cool Richard..... All of these new ADA tanks make me want to start a planted scape again Keeping a eye on this one also
Mmm... 4 wires per tube. could get difficult, depending on how many tubes you use! However, that's why we're here... Richard, whatever you decide to do, If you get stuck... Shout, I'll do the wiring for you with pleasure!
It was meant to be a joke - sorry, too close to home to be funny. Yes, it is a lot. I can dream, though...
Re: Re: 60p Guys I was in the water jet cutting industry for a couple of years can recommend guys that will laser cut, bend and weld the aluminium for you all you will have to do is the design, thing to keep in mind is the aluminium must be 1200h4 grade otherwise it will crack when bending, 6082T6 will not work! You can then anodize the completed aluminium basicaly any colour that you want.
Hey! Who said anything about free? I'm still paying for it! I just don't have to wait for a boat to bring it across the ocean. Anyway, if we can find someone who can manufacture us some lighting unit bodies, I would definitely be keen to have a look at locally sourced lighting... I'm going to do some homework on this when I'm back.
Have you missed my post Sean, I have all the contacts was in the cuting bussiness for 8 years must tie up with you Ivan and we can share ideas, we can even do the profile to bend the alunod on. I have worked with Aeronautical Aluminium and most of the grades on the market, done a talk at the Aluminium Federation of SA.
