75 gallon tank, needs parts, and im confused.:)

[frankenberry]

My brother is giving me a 75 gallon tank that he planned to use for his iguana but never did. It has a wooden stand, and a wooden top...

Problem is its just the tank. There are no top glass peices (called canopies, I am guessing?) and lights. I am sure the answer to this is quite simple but I am not really sure what to buy to replace these.

I looked at the canopies online, they are quite expensive, is there anywhere else to find them at a better price than google? How do I know the right size to buy? I do not have the aquarium in my possession just yet (in a storage unit far away), so I cannot measure. I know the aquarium is 75 gallons, the longer tank, as opposed to the higher 75 gallon, and there is a plastic strip that runs down the middle. So I guess I need two glass canopies as opposed to the long one?

Is there a place that sells the glass parts and lights as a deal? Is there somewhere that sells them used for cheaper?

I'm moving in a week, and want to transfer my parrot fish (in a 30 gallon tank) into this tank so I was hoping to order the parts online or buy them before I move, because when I move is when my brother will deliver the tank.

I hope this wasn't too confusing!

 

[dalto]

Assuming it is a standard 75 48"x18"x21" it will use two glass canopies and they are sold as a set for about $30. Probably would have to order this.

You would then need a 48" aquarium light. Very common, check craigslist.

They used to make a hood with lights included but I am not sure they do anymore. The glass canopies are a lot nicer than the hood anyway.

 

[frankenberry]

Thank you for your time!

When buying lights, is there a brand I should avoid? Or a brand that is recommendable, type of bulb. etc.? Would I need led? I just saw led when I searched, and t5 lighting, whatever that is. I can honestly say I know nada about lights. (quite apparent huh? hah)

 

[frankenberry]

Also, would I need 1 48'' light, or two?

 

[dalto]

It depends what you are trying to accomplish.

If you just want to see your fish than any light will do. If you want to grow plants you will need a full spectrum light and more light than a cheapo light will provide.

T8 lighting is you standard florescent light that have been around for many years.
T5 is a different type of florescent lighting that comes in a normal(he) and high output(ho). The he lights are energy efficient and the ho lights put out a lot of light. Not needed in most situations.
Compact Florescent lights are in between the he and ho T5 lighting and provide a decent amount of light.
LED's come in all shapes and sizes and don't require the replacing of bulbs but they are expensive.

A little more information on what you are trying to accomplish would help with a recommendation.
You want a single 48" light.

 

[frankenberry]

I am just planning to put some gravel, fake plants, small decor, my parrot fish, and a sucker fish (if they get along, ill have to google that, my work has two giant sucker fish and wants to pawn one off on me, but I have had my parrot fish for 6 years now and im not sure if he will adjust to having a tank mate when he has never had one).

So, I guess cheap lighting would be fine in that case? I just want to light the tank for a few hours a day. I also don't want to put many (or any) fish in there because I'm not sure of my parrot fish' emotional status to it. (he does have feelings I swear haha)

He has outgrown his 30 gallon tank massively. A real big boy, I thought it would be a treat for him to have some roaming room.

I just bought a house so the budget is low. Real low.

 

[dalto]

Buy the cheapest light you can. Typically you can find 48" T8 lights on craigslist since they come with 55 gallon aquarium kits.

 

[frankenberry]

The cheapest thing I could find on craiglist without having to drive halfway across the state of florida was:

48" Wavepoint HO T5 Fluorescent 2 Lamp Lighting system.
Ballast needs to be replaced as light doesn't light.
50 or best offer.


Is this a good deal? I of course have no idea what a ballast is, and I know I do not need a fancy light like this as previous discussed, but it seems to be the cheapest thing I can find. Unless the replacement part is a fortune of course.

Thank you for taking time out of your day to help me, it is very appreciated.

 

[dalto]

Probably not worth it. The ballast will be costly and that is more light than you will need.

Let me see what I can find for you.