Gutted Hoods What Do I do For Lights?

[snoopy65]

I have acquired a 55 gal tank that is in great shape except the guy who had it gutted the hoods. They are 2 - 24" solid plastic hoods. The hood plastic is in good shape except the clear / opaque plastic that normally is on the underside is gone on one and the other the clear / opaque plastic is cracked. There is no electrical stuff in them at all now.

Is it worth my while to try and reinstall lights in these? If so how is it done? Or is there other lighting I can use?

It is a mbuna tank so there isn't any plants to consider.

Thanks for the help!

[Mgamer20o0]

if you want. i would just buy a shop light and put over it. cheap and easy plus there shouldnt be any dark spots.

[DAVIDFBT]

:iagree: A cheap, $13 solution to a non planted 55 gallon tank.

[Reddog80p]

You could mod the hoods by adding double light sockets and using CFL's (spiral) bulbs. The only thing that I don't like is the spectrum. Daylight 6700K looks a little too "yellow" for me. Will work good for planted tank tho.

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=145862

[snoopy65]

Forgive me if I sound dense. Inexpensive sounds good to me! When you say shop light, are you talking about a trouble light like you use when under a car? Shop lights on a stand? lmao at myself, I am just not able to picture what light you are talking about.

[northwindtucker]

I agree with REDDOG. I was given a older 55gal tank. It had 2 24" lights with incandescent fixtures. I put in 4 compact florecent bulbs with the screw in base. They are much brighter than regular florescent bulbs. I can't imagine the sockets costing more than a few bucks. The all glass versa tops can be had under $25, if you can't repair your hood.

[Reddog80p]

Shop lights are the plain fluorescent tubes you see hanging in garages.

http://electrical.hardwarestore.com/13-38-shop-lights/lights-of-america-shop-light-463497.aspx

[snoopy65]

Thanks!