jinmon
Aquarium Advice Regular
Hey guys. Okay, so this is our first tank (40 gallon regular), and my husband's building a canopy for it 'cause we have big cats who will break glass.
I have a TON of questions, it seems! Our plan is to have a lightly-to-moderately planted freshwater tank - I don't want to get into CO2 just yet, so think easy, newbie plants.
I need some advice on light selection and installation advice. I think we're nearing a finished design where the front half/significant portion of the canopy will flip up to rest on the back half, with sliding glass or plexiglass inserts to protect the electrical/lighting stuff at the top of the canopy. If I buy something like a T5 fixture with reflector (maybe something like this: http://www.commodityaxis.com/ProductData.aspx?id=67), is this something that can easily be affixed to the top of the canopy? Or do I need to buy a light kit?
Finally - is a 36" bulb really 36"? Does that include the end caps, etc? I think the inside span of our canopy will be close to 36-36.5" and I worry about buying lights that won't fit!
Help! I'm looking at articles online, etc but I'm still confused. I've found so many canopy DIY stuff where people aren't covering their lights with plexiglass/glass, using non-water-resistant stuff, etc - I'm not entirely sure WHAT'S needed at this point!
Thanks in advance!
-Julie
I have a TON of questions, it seems! Our plan is to have a lightly-to-moderately planted freshwater tank - I don't want to get into CO2 just yet, so think easy, newbie plants.
I need some advice on light selection and installation advice. I think we're nearing a finished design where the front half/significant portion of the canopy will flip up to rest on the back half, with sliding glass or plexiglass inserts to protect the electrical/lighting stuff at the top of the canopy. If I buy something like a T5 fixture with reflector (maybe something like this: http://www.commodityaxis.com/ProductData.aspx?id=67), is this something that can easily be affixed to the top of the canopy? Or do I need to buy a light kit?
Finally - is a 36" bulb really 36"? Does that include the end caps, etc? I think the inside span of our canopy will be close to 36-36.5" and I worry about buying lights that won't fit!
Help! I'm looking at articles online, etc but I'm still confused. I've found so many canopy DIY stuff where people aren't covering their lights with plexiglass/glass, using non-water-resistant stuff, etc - I'm not entirely sure WHAT'S needed at this point!
Thanks in advance!
-Julie