Very Confused about lighting

[Lorazoo]

I have a 120 with a wooden canopy. Right now I have 3 shop lights mounted in the hood with 240W light. However, every couple of weeks one of the stupid shop lights just quit working. I want to upgrade to compact fluoresecnt lighting but cannot seem to find anything that can be mounted into a hood. Everything seems to have legs which will not fit in my setup.

I have also seen the retro-fit kits. I am not the handiest person and really don't understand how I am supposed to mount those either.

Can anyone help me? I'd like to start with 2WPG and then save up for another fixture to make it 3-4 WPG.

[Hurley]

I would check out AHSupply (http://www.ahsupply.com/). This is where I bought lights for my tank. They are actually really easy to put together (I am not at all handy...for example, I have trouble nailing a nail into a board...no I am not kidding...and these were fairly easy) and the directions are pretty easy to follow. They are also the best deal I have been able to find.

[Lorazoo]

So, I would just attatch the reflectors directly to the canopy top? Also, my tank is 48", but these light kits are only 36". Will this make a difference?

[DeputyChiefJR]

What about switching to Glass tops?

[Lorazoo]

I already have a glass top on the tank, to protect the shop lights from the water. I have though about getting rid of the hood, but it looks so pretty and i put alot of work into it staining it myself. If I got the 4*96 kit from ahsupply (which would give me 2 192 Watt fixtures) and staggered them in the middle, would this not work?

Ill take any suggestions. i just changed one of my 3 shop lights again this morning. I have bought an extra one so I can change it out and then return it, it has gotten so bad. I really can't afford more than a couple hundred right now, especially when i have to buy the bulbs too.

[karfixer]

The intensity of the AH 96W bulbs is much higher than the shop lights-with their reflectors 4-5x as much light as a 40W t-12 bulb. I use 2 on my 105G tank and run them staggered-i.e. they are not both on @ the same time. My tank does get a lot of sunlight in the afternoon, but growing plants is not a problem. I'd recommend a 4X55W kit for more even coverage. My .02 worth. My tank is 60"L X 24"T X18"W and is commonly called a 120-only has that much with the sump. Steve

[Lorazoo]

The intensity of the AH 96W bulbs is much higher than the shop lights-with their reflectors 4-5x as much light as a 40W t-12 bulb. I use 2 on my 105G tank and run them staggered-i.e. they are not both on @ the same time. My tank does get a lot of sunlight in the afternoon, but growing plants is not a problem. I'd recommend a 4X55W kit for more even coverage. My .02 worth. My tank is 60"L X 24"T X18"W and is commonly called a 120-only has that much with the sump. Steve
Thanks, that is what I think I am gonna do. I want alot of light anyway, b/c I have alot of Gouramis and try to give them as much hogwort for the top without taking all of the light away from the plants underneath. Maybe these stronger lights will help penetrate through the hogwort.

I guess AHsupply is the best/cheapest source?

[djlen]

How deep is your tank, top of tank to top of substrate?
What type of plants do you want to grow in the tank?
AH Supply delivers that best reflectors available IME. I get the tubes from another supplier because I find that they last longer. But you can't beat AH Supply retro-fit kits. They come with easy to follow directions and their customer service is second to none if you need help installing the kits.
I suggest calling the number on the web site and asking Kim for some feedback on your tank and your options. He will tell you what will fit in your present hoods. If you have hoods measure the inside dimensions of them because Kim will ask you how long/wide and deep they are in order to advise as to what lighting he has will fit them.

Here is a toll free number for AH Supply: 1 888 859-5106

Len

[Mgamer20o0]

i have shop lights in my tank for a couple years and only have had one go out. i tape the end of the cord to a extension cord and plug into a timer. i have a 100 gal tank with 3 shop lights. i just got a few plants and added a co2 diy for now. i dont have much money to spend so AHSupply is out of the question.

i been looking into ODNO Lighting (http://www.gwapa.org/articles/ODNO/). i will be switching my t12 to the t8's. ill end up with 92 more watts on paper. in real life it will be more then that since the t8's put out more light. not only will it cost less to do the bulbs will also be cheaper. if you have the money to spend AHSupply is great. if not here is another option.

[Lorazoo]

Yeah, I do not know what is going on, but I have returned about 6 of these shoplights in the last 2 months. Between the 3, one of them keeps going out. I have an old 55 with no plants that I am using for Quarantine that has an old, rusted shop light on it that still works, don't get it. I don't reallt have the money, but I will find it somewhere. I've got some overtime comin to me. I just can't take the aggravation any more.