DIY Hood Help

[only6foot6]

I am interested in building a hood for my 37 gallon tall tank. Not only do I think my tank would look a lot nicer with a hood, but I would be able to mount some power compact lights in it.

I have been looking at AH Supply for the power compacts. I can not decide between the following - 2 x 36 watt kit or 2 x 55 watt kit. Any ideas?

If I do make a hood, I will need to get some black paint to match my stand. My stand is made out of partial board with that infamous black paint that can be found on a lot of fish stands. Does anybody know where to purchase this paint or what it is? I heard at one time that it some kind of acrylic paint.

Any help would be great!!!!

[carpguy]

I'm very happy with my AHSupply lamps. Great stuff, easy to set up and, IMHO, a very good value.

One of the problems with 30" tanks is the lighting. The 36w lamps are 18" and the 55s are 24" -- be sure to work out all your reflector options and work out a configuration that will suit your tank.

When I was thinking of adding a 29g (also 30") I was thinking of running 2x36w with separate reflectors at a slight angle to each other. I also considered the 2x36 or 2x55 side by side with 13s to fill in the extra space (running perpindicular to the main lamps). Depends on how much light you want in there. The reflectors definitely make a difference, so the 2x36 may suit your needs. If you want more light and don't mind paying for it the 2x55 with 1 or 2 13s would also work. Its a fairly deep vessel you've got there. I did the math once and the $$ per watt was pretty consistent across the product line.

Don't know about the paint or the finish.

[beviking]

Seems to me to be a Satin finish (vs gloss or semi-gloss). I'm not positive though. Acrylic paint can be found in the previously mentioned finishes and a flat finish.