Converting this 2.5 gallon desktop aquarium from a freshwater Betta tank to a mini marine tank was done in a pretty traditional fashion, however, any marine aquarist knows a successful marine setup is very much about the right kind of lighting.

This project details the lighting solution this weekend do-it-yourselfer found to work very well for this mini marine aquarium for the office.
Mini 10,000k / Actinic
Compact Fluorescent
Hanging Light Fixture
This photo shows the interior of the light canopy painted with a highly reflective chrome enamel paint.

The female connector end of the extension cord was clipped off, about a foot of wire pulled apart then routed thru the holes in the top of the canopy.

The wires were then crimped to the socket using two nylon crimp caps and tucked out of the way between the socket and canopy.
With the Coralife 50/50 Mini-Compact Fluorescent Lamp installed, our new DIY fixture hangs over the 2.5 gallon desktop aquarium bringing light and life to an otherwise typical office setting.

Over the months to come, with regular maintenance of the marine aquarium, the sparse remenants of coraline algae will flurish under the new light.
With the new and improved lighting, the Emerald Crab shows noticeable improvement in his behavior. He's less shy and more ambitious in his eating habbits.
These bulbs seem to last for several months before requiring replacement and allow easy conversion of the older traditionl style incandescent strip light fixtures.

They also produce very little heat which was a big plus for this small marine aquarium.
Click the play button to the left to see a short video of this mini 10,000k / Actinic compact fluorescent hanging light fixture.
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do-it-yourself aquarium and semi-aquatic background designs beyond the traditional
Dramatic AquaScapes