Jason the Lost
Aquarium Advice Activist
So like 3 weeks ago my dual bulb flourescent light strip went out on my 55 gallon planted. I bought it at petsmart about a year ago and it wasnt too deep from front to back so it fit EXACTLY on the cheapy plastic hood that came with the aquarium.
So I put the two smaller hoods on while I find another one...the catch no place in the entire Chicagoland area sells the two bulb 48" flourescents. I wen't everywhere. Oh everyplace said they could order one for me...anywhere from $120 to $150...I paid $89 for one a year ago.
So after like 2 weeks of wild goose chases I decide for the sake of my dwindling plant population I'll just order one from Foster Smith.
I have them ship it express 2 to 4 days and also order some driftwood. The driftwood comes the next day and the tracking number they have given to me for the seperate package containing the light is only showing the tracking info is entered...4 days later (two of which were weekend days) still no activity on this tracking number. After getting a different answer from 5 seperate employees on 5 seperate calls they realize they never sent it....
So they next day it to me. I open it up tonight. Finally, I can give my plants decent lighting again. Well the housing is wider than the original light and hangs over the back of the tank tops. I figure what the hell...I'll run to the store and get some all glass tops.
Two stores later I bring home the tops and try them on only to find out they dont fit on my tank...they're 24 inch tops, worked on the 55 gallon in the store (I figured with my luck I needed to check) but my tank openings aren't 24" they're 23" !!?@>@!##&($%&T!^#$!&*
So do I bring them back and hope water doesnt get in the fixture or cut the glass down and risk breaking it and not being able to get my $45 back...I'm ready to throw the damn tank through the wall.
So I put the two smaller hoods on while I find another one...the catch no place in the entire Chicagoland area sells the two bulb 48" flourescents. I wen't everywhere. Oh everyplace said they could order one for me...anywhere from $120 to $150...I paid $89 for one a year ago.
So after like 2 weeks of wild goose chases I decide for the sake of my dwindling plant population I'll just order one from Foster Smith.
I have them ship it express 2 to 4 days and also order some driftwood. The driftwood comes the next day and the tracking number they have given to me for the seperate package containing the light is only showing the tracking info is entered...4 days later (two of which were weekend days) still no activity on this tracking number. After getting a different answer from 5 seperate employees on 5 seperate calls they realize they never sent it....
So they next day it to me. I open it up tonight. Finally, I can give my plants decent lighting again. Well the housing is wider than the original light and hangs over the back of the tank tops. I figure what the hell...I'll run to the store and get some all glass tops.
Two stores later I bring home the tops and try them on only to find out they dont fit on my tank...they're 24 inch tops, worked on the 55 gallon in the store (I figured with my luck I needed to check) but my tank openings aren't 24" they're 23" !!?@>@!##&($%&T!^#$!&*
So do I bring them back and hope water doesnt get in the fixture or cut the glass down and risk breaking it and not being able to get my $45 back...I'm ready to throw the damn tank through the wall.