2 foot light, 3 foot tank?

[wolfnature]

Hello everyone. I have a rather odd question about lighting. I will be getting a new tank soon (hopefully it will come in this week, I'm tired of waiting :D ) and am looking at getting a light fixture from Home Depot instead of an aquarium hood (much cheaper). Anyway, I can't find any 3 foot long fixture with 3 lights, but can find 2 foot long ones.

My question is does anyone think having a 2 foot light fixture on a tank that is 3 feet wide will pose any problems? I'm thinking that the light will radiate out enough that it won't be a problem, but wasn't sure. I am thinking of putting in some live plants and wasn't sure how this might affect that. Has anyone else done something like this?

The reason I'm looking at a 3 light fixture is because my tank will be 24 inches high and I would like to have the extra lighting on it. I'm thinking I might get 2 fixtures (one with 1 light and one with 2), but would prefer 1 fixture if it will work since it would be easier.

I hope I haven't totally confused everyone :confused: Thanks in advance.

p.s. I wasn't sure if this message might be better in a different category or not. Feel free to move it if it should be elsewhere.

[Nyasa]

I just bought a 33 gallon tank which is 36" long and I am currently lighting it with the fixture from my 29 gallon tank which is 30" and has a 24" bulb in it. The light is set in the middle of the tank and I find the ends aren't as well lit as they could be but it is still well lit. This is just a temporary solution as I will be buying a 36" light in the near future. I think if you had 2 - 24" fixtures staggered over the length of the tank it would do just fine.

[somefinnfishy]

Look for a light called flourux by lights of america.Here a home improvement store called menards carrys them for 29.99 You will need two if you have a center brace.Anyway its a 65w CF in a nice little package like 7"x10"with reflector and lens it also has a awesome tone to it.They also make a 42w but only like 2-3 dollars cheaper wish I could show you pics here cant seem to size them down would e-mail them to you if your interested.

[wolfnature]

somefinnfishy - if you could e-mail those pics I would appreciate it. I had been thinking of looking at CFs to see what options were available.

richard.home@verizon.net

[somefinnfishy]

Hope you got mail.
I'm pc unfriendly but if you find those pics on web shots thats what it does to a 30" buy like 19"deep tank.
I've tryed makeing all sorts of hoods all the bulbs and I want one of these on every tank I own.Bonus the bulbs are only 11.88 far less than the 29.99 -55W standard cf bulbs

[BluEyes]

my 20L (30") has a light from a 10G (20") ontop. there is a bit of shadow around the corners, but nothing terrible. It's the same porportions as yours - tank 1/2 again as long as the light.
Look on my site, in the recent photos of my 20g blackwater (the older photos have halogen lights)

[Heady]

I'm having a similar problem finding lights for a 60"long x 18"wide x 20"tall 100 gallon tank I'd like to buy. No one seems to sell 60" long tubes OR fixtures. Now what??

[BluEyes]

actually, I think they do make 5' lights, but forget about it - no-one buys them, so they're expensive

However, I think there are some nice 18" CF's out there. Don't overlook the possibility of lights front/back.

Of course, if you don't have plants, thet might be a bit bright.

How about two 24" lights end to end. You could leave a 4" space between them in the middle, then there'd also be 4" spare on either end. Pretty even lighting if you ask me!

[somefinnfishy]

Dont waste your time on the 60" fixtures they use 48" bulbs anyway.Twin flourux 65W cf would look nice on top and cost around 60 for the pair.