I will be building a wooden enclosure for a single 13watt power compact flourescent bulb that will be placed flush against the back of my aquarium. I purchased a kit with a ballast and reflector. Since it will be flush against the aquarium glass I will need to install a fan to help with the heat. Other that have done the same type project also recommended a fan.

I am going for a clean, professional looking installation, and I only want ONE AC cord coming from the enclosure.

The fan I will be using is a low decibel computer fan (Artic Cool) which runs on 12V DC @ 0.12 amps.

How would I wire this? Where should I purchase the necessary parts? Radio Shack? Online?

thanks in advance for any help and suggestions!

 

One option:
http://www.mpja.com/directview.asp?product=15871+PS

 

...or a _big_ resistor in series...

 

Hmmm... any idea what the impedence of the ballast is?

(Don't forget the need for rectification if the "big resistor" option is used. The fan given is DC.)