Retrofitting a light fixture

S

Slick Fork

AC Members
Dec 27, 2005
32
1
0
49
Wild Rose Country
Hi there,

I'm thinking of upgrading my lighting by ripping the guts out of my existing 20 watt light fixture and putting this in
http://www.bigalsonline.ca/catalog/product.xml?product_id=32859&category_id=1873&pcid1=1843

My questions are as follows:
1) My light fixture dimensions are 28"L by 4.5"W will this thing fit. I can't seem to find the dimensions other than length anywhere
2) My existing fixture is made out of extremely cheap plastic I'm sure, will these PC bulbs melt it down?
3) this 50/50 bulb that comes with it, will the blue light screw up the fish? It's a freshwater setup so I don't really need actinic light correct? I'm assuming that both sides will be lit at once since there's only one switch. Anyone have experience with a bulb like this?

I've checked out AH Supply, but being in Canada I always seem to get an extra bill or two from customs when I order anything in from the states so I don't want to go that route. This looks like a decent deal if I can make it work, the bulb has me puzzled though and I don't want to blow the money for a bulb I'm just going to have to replace before I even fire it up!!

The other kit the offer is this one:
http://www.bigalsonline.ca/catalog/product.xml?product_id=29651&category_id=1873&pcid1=1843

Same questions apply except for the one about the bulb as these guys give me just a straight daylight bulb!! Would I be able to put a Coralife colormax 65 watt bulb in one of these kits?

Which one do you guys think is the better deal, there's $30 difference between the 2, is Current a better brand name?

Thanks in advance for all the replies!
 
Alright,

After much research/pricing/thought, I think I've decided to nix the idea of retrofitting my existing lamp. I'm too nervous about the plastic housing melting down on me when I'm not home and burning the house too bits.

What I think I'm going to do is build my own wooden canopy and add a premade CF light fixture. The pricing for the fixture is roughly the same as the retrofit anyways so I'll save myself a few headaches by going this route!

The fixture I'm planning to use is this one:
http://www.bigalsonline.ca/catalog/product.xml?product_id=31566;category_id=1875;pcid1=1843;pcid2=
I was planning to mount it inside the wooden canopy but had a few questions.

1) Since this fixture comes with an acrylic lens cover, do I need have a glass or other type of cover on top of the aquarium in addition to the wooden canopy I'm building or will the cover protect the light SUFFICIENTLY from splashing? My tank is fairly peaceful on the top, the only real splashing that goes on is when I'm doing a water change!!

2) I know that I should expect more evaporation/condensation if I go with the wooden canopy over open water, I'm just wondering how much more?

3) What would be the way you guys recommend to fasten this to the canopy. The idea's I've had so far are to hang it using screws/bolts drilled through the top of the lamp fixture or come up with some form of chain/wire sling that will be stable enough that I'm not going to drop the lamp into the tank if I nudge it inadvertantly. Another idea might be just a simple shelf that the fixture could rest on. Let me know what you think!!

4) If I go with it over open water, what would you say is a safe height to go above the surface? I was thinking about an inch or two or would this be too low?

Again, thanks in advance for any comments both good and bad!

Cheers
 
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