Some light fixture re-wiring...

[killercrow]

I recently acquired 10 gal. fish tank setup, with all the goodies included.
So i decided i should use the light fixture, and since it holds 2 bulbs... it would be perfect for a day and a night bulb, right? Well, as it was set up in original form, both bulbs turned on at once. Not good enough... So I took apart the double bulb fixture, and rewired it so there is one common lead and 2 separate hot leads. I rooted around in my room of junk and spare parts, found a couple switches. One on-off switch, and a 2 position toggle.
Now i can turn the unit on or off with the flick of a switch, and another switch to control day or night light. I was impressed... Sure beats spending lots of money!!!

here is what it looks like:



I also salvaged a stainless steel coffee mug to make a heat lamp shade. Its ugly, but it works.

[Paul Rust]

That is a greta idea. I do something similar but instead of switches I make two power cords. I plug the white lights into the day cycle and the blue lights into the night cycle on a day/night timer so they automatically switch over at the correct times.

[killercrow]

I thought of doing it that way, but the only timer i own has a single output. I'm also on a budget, but i need to build proper lighting for my other terrarium, maybe i'll look into a new timer.

[Paul Rust]

Nothing wrong with how you did it. Often people come here asking about how to do this, you can give them some guidance.