18' x 9' x 3.5' catfish tank build in progress.....

[necrocanis]

Hey I'm doing some research on pool and spa lights. Anyone have any suggestions that would keep me around $200 or less? These lights will only be used for viewing and picture taking. I was thinking led, but can't find any for less than about $350. Also does anyone have any expirience in installation of pool lights? Just curious if everything is self sealing, and how exactly do you mount them to the side of the pool/pond. Trying to used a recessed one, and not sure if I need to make a gasket of some sort for them or not.

 

[ITHURTZ]

Hey I'm doing some research on pool and spa lights. Anyone have any suggestions that would keep me around $200 or less? These lights will only be used for viewing and picture taking. I was thinking led, but can't find any for less than about $350. Also does anyone have any expirience in installation of pool lights? Just curious if everything is self sealing, and how exactly do you mount them to the side of the pool/pond. Trying to used a recessed one, and not sure if I need to make a gasket of some sort for them or not.

The pool light itself is sealed, its the housing it sits in that you have to seal. When you install the lights into the pool the housing is set into the pool itself.
I would personally go led as these pool lights get VERY hot and have to be surrounded by water to stay cooled. You could just drill a hole in the side and somehow seal the housing. After the housing is sealed the only hole left is where you pull the wire for the light it self. I work for a pool builder currently and while never personally set the light in the pool before building I have pulled many lights for pools and spas.

http://www.howibuiltmyownpool.com/modules.php?name=Construction&phase=electrical-first-day

you can get a idea there. At our place we never get orders of the housings as construction takes them before I get a chance to check them out, so I only see the light itself.

 

[Kristin]

That is SO cool. I don't have the time or the resources to do that. Keep at it!

 

[necrocanis]

The pool light itself is sealed, its the housing it sits in that you have to seal. When you install the lights into the pool the housing is set into the pool itself.
I would personally go led as these pool lights get VERY hot and have to be surrounded by water to stay cooled. You could just drill a hole in the side and somehow seal the housing. After the housing is sealed the only hole left is where you pull the wire for the light it self. I work for a pool builder currently and while never personally set the light in the pool before building I have pulled many lights for pools and spas.

http://www.howibuiltmyownpool.com/modules.php?name=Construction&phase=electrical-first-day

you can get a idea there. At our place we never get orders of the housings as construction takes them before I get a chance to check them out, so I only see the light itself.

I'll have to check out that link. Thanks for the info. That was kind of what I was thinking, but wasn't sure. After hearing that I realized that I had seen housings for the lights I was researching available for each light, and was like why would I need that, and nothing explained it until I found you! So that means I have to buy a light and the housing that goes to it. Kinda sux, but oh well, I guess companies have to make as much money as possible somehow! lol

That is SO cool. I don't have the time or the resources to do that. Keep at it!

Welcome to MFK! Thanks for posting in my thread. I don't really have the resources either, but somehow I am managing to come up with the money needed to complete this project.

 

[necrocanis]

Ok, so here's the pics for today. I got only a small portion of the top railing finished, and I need to still go and buy some of the same lumber that I used for the rest of the tank to finish the bottom feet of this and also the side. You can see that very little got accomplished today. I mostly price compared lumber, and the prices have went up yet again so I am unable to buy all of the lumber that is needed just yet. I'm going to try and post a video here also that I took earlier today. It will be the first video I have posted and it sux, but it was taken on my cell. Enjoy.

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[Fly River]

More video updates when you can. This is better than prime time tv. Keep up the awesome work..

 

[necrocanis]

Lol, I just figured out that I could do the videos on my phone and them text them to my email. Then I post them up on youtube. I got the rest of the lumber for the bottom today. I should have enough to do the topframe, bottom frame, and sheet the entire outside of the tank. I didn't have enough to purchase the ply for the inside of the tank though.

 

[noiesmo]

This is going to be a mad tank I wish I had made mine bigger now. Nice work keep us updated can't wait to see it complete.

 

[Kevaldo]

getting there buddy getting there

 

[necrocanis]

Thanks again guys. Today and tomorrow I have training all day, and probably will not make much progress, but I am still trying to at least get this thing on the ground before I have to go back out to work again on thursday morning. Then you guys will not hear a thing from me for 5 days like before. So off to training, and hopefully I can get the bottom railing finished today.