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Mark Peterson 
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 Topic: DIY end caps for NO Fluorescent
Posted: February 13 2004 at 5:43pm |
Underground sprinkler wire soldered to the pins and covered with DAP Aquarium Silicone
Upper tube: URI Super Actinic R Lower tube: Verilux InstaSun
Tank pics coming. 
Edited by Mark Peterson
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Marcus
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Posted: February 13 2004 at 11:12pm |
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Thanks Mark, but I like the bonefires to stay near the campground.
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ewaldsreef
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Posted: February 14 2004 at 6:17am |
Mark you are kind of wacky 
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Contact me for professional aquarium maintenance and localy grown coral frags. [URL=http://www.aquatitranquility.com][/URL]
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Mark Peterson
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Posted: February 14 2004 at 8:29am |
 I'm not sure what Marcus meant, but this is soldered so the connection is much superior to the typical connection. This endcap does not allow any salt creep which can get into normal endcaps and give you a buzz when you hold the tube near the end. I can handle these while they are lit and never have to worry. They can fall into the water and stay lit and not "buzz" the tank!
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jfinch
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Posted: February 14 2004 at 8:53am |
Very ghetto. I like it. Only drawback is it looks like it might be a pain when it comes time to change bulbs  . Ever done this with VHO bulbs?
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Marcus
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Posted: February 14 2004 at 12:16pm |
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Mark Peterson
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Posted: February 14 2004 at 3:35pm |
Marcus, I'll explain it again. These are completely insulated and because the wire is soldered to the pins, they are much less likely to be a fire hazard than ordinary end caps which I have often seen burn up. A fluorescent tube with commercial end caps cannot be dropped into the water without causing damage!
Jon, Yes, changing bulbs requires cutting and stripping wire and resoldering.
No, I have not used it for VHO, but I believe it would work in that application as well. Usually, if someone has the money to buy VHO, end caps are no big deal. This method came about as a way to save $$. I leave these lights for 2 years, hoping that they last a little longer because the connection is solid.
 For what it's worth, here is further explanation.
Inside an end cap, there are two tiny spring metal clips that must be clean and make good contact to the pins of the fluorescent light tube. Each tube requires four properly functioning clips. When just one clip loses it's spring or no longer makes a good connection to a pin because of salt creep, this compromises the connection and allows current to travel outside of the cap! This can result in  and/or fire!
Because each tube requires four good connections, the potential for problems is at least four times as high as the soldered connections.
Edited by Mark Peterson
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Marcus
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Posted: February 14 2004 at 4:36pm |
Mark, it was more of a joke than anything.
If you, and others, are comfortable using silicone for endcaps then great! I hope it works. For me, I prefer the more cleaner look of white 3-piece endcaps. Even if I was going to use NO bulbs, I would still use the white 3-piece endcaps with stand-offs. I too have seen the "push-on" endcaps loose connection, spark, and even melt. I would not recommend the "push-on" style endcaps. The only thing I will suggest is that the correct silicone is used if you are going to use it for endcaps. I used to sell high-quality silicone when I worked as a sales rep for Industrial Supply and I will say that silicone DOES have a melting point. Some are higher than others. Some silicone, usually denoted by its red color, can be used on engines and has a melting point of about 800 deg F. I do not know if melting would be a factor in your application, but it would be something to keep in mind. Good luck!
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Mark Peterson
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Posted: February 14 2004 at 5:17pm |
I agree with using the white 3piece, they seem to be the best money can buy.
I worried about melting when I first tried it, but I worried more about the byproducts of curing. As a 14 year old new freshwater hobbyist I killed a lot of fish in a repaired 10 gal using the wrong type of sealant. Now, I use only DAP Aquarium Sealant which is 100% Silicone, cures safely in 24 hours, stays clear and doesn't give off fish-killing toxins. It also holds up very well to the heat of a NO Fluorescent. I know it looks weird, but it's not visible to anyone but us  s
The way it's put together with all the wire coming from one end, it's kind of like a Jedi Light Saber. I've really wanted to make a small one that could be placed underwater over the entrance to a cave, kind of like a neon light sign...
That reminds me, have you ever had fun with your fish and a laser pointer? Some fish will folow the red dot all over the tank. My wife's cat follows it too.
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Marcus
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Posted: February 16 2004 at 8:33pm |
 Mark Peterson wrote:
The way it's put together with all the wire coming from one end, it's kind of like a Jedi Light Saber. |
Mark, where can I find info on making a Jedi light saber? 
Edited by Marcus
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ckgurr
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Posted: February 25 2004 at 10:53am |
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Mark
In a hex coffee table fish only tank I had long ago, I did the same thing that you have don here but I took PVC pipe caps the fit loosely over the tube (18 cents each) drilled a hole for the wire and inserted the wire. Then soldered the wires to the posts. Filled the caps with Silicon. I just let the tube float on top of the water. the only issue I ever had was when an urchin chewed through the wire once and I came home to buzzing orange bright spot in the tank. I covered the wire with air tube after that. I used it that way for 6 years until an neighbor bought the tank when I moved.
Note: No fish were harmed in this learning experience- sure surprised me!
Carlos
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Mark Peterson
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Posted: February 25 2004 at 11:05am |
Very 
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Skyetone
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Posted: March 01 2004 at 4:46pm |
MMMMM poor white trash... I like it.. 
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I will just give my warning that your system will flood, bulbs will burn out, and things will take continuous maintenance... get over it.
Magna
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chrisslc
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Posted: March 01 2004 at 5:47pm |
Mark Peterson wrote:
That reminds me, have you ever had fun with your fish and a laser pointer? |
My lionfish will stalk it, then "test" it by making slight lunges at it, and, when it doesn't react, he swims away. But, the next time I do it he goes through the process again. very
I keep one near the tank for pointing things out to visitors
Edited by chrisslc
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Murray, Utah just north of the park.
"It's all the same to the clam" -Shel Silverstein
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Adam Haycock
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Posted: March 01 2004 at 6:23pm |
Mark Peterson wrote:
That reminds me, have you ever had fun with your fish and a laser pointer? Some fish will folow the red dot all over the tank. My wife's cat follows it too. |
That reminds me....
A trip to the zoo is much more fun with a laser pointer! The best are the monkeys and apes. I really think they enjoy chasing it.
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