30" X 12" Tank - Need Lighting Assistance

[jaarus]

Also posted this in the hardware & DIY section , but as its for a planted tank - I thought best to pop it on here as well

I have a tank which needs both lighting and a new hood.

The tank was bought secondhand and came with a hood which is ...well.... knackered (its a metal hood, I think its a clearsel one and very thin metal)
The seller also through in a light which was very kind of him as its certainly better than nothing.
Its a marine tank (15w) light and does appears bright for its watts but I want to go planted in this tank so the time has come to replace.
(I actually have 9 small plants in there at the moment - since yesterday)

The tank is 30" long x 12" wide x 15" deep.

The trouble I am having is that the only hoods I can find are Clearseal which can hold a single tube light.

Can anyone point me to a hood/light combo that will hold two lights for a 30x12 tank?


Many thanks
Jaarus

 

[doubledee]

Before buying my tank, I considered getting one custom built. I was going to go with The Classic Cabinet Company as they came highly recommended. Perhaps they could build one and accommodate the correct lighting?

 

[jaarus]

Thanks for the reply - nice idea but they do seem very pricey.

Was really hoping for a suggestion as to an 'off the shelf' type hood and lighting setup that would work.

 

[doubledee]

I suppose you could just fit some glass and use a Luminaire lighting system like these

or check out the pinned topic in the DIY section to make a hood if you're any good with a screwdriver. Alternatively just buy a new 30" x 12" hood (You could probably get a clearseal one) and fit some lights e.g. I bar. I remember fitting some basic aquarium lights (inc the starter unit) in a 2nd hand tank jood I had years ago when I was a kid. It worked fine using plastic clips and cable ties!

 

[ICEEGRL]

How much light are you after? All glass makes a twin tube and versa top that size if you are not after high light it could work. That is what I am currently considering.

 

[nry]

Can you simply replace the single tube with some new clips and a Power Compact T5? These tubes are very high output for the size, my 16" chucks out 36watts, much cheaper than buying two tubes and starters, cost me £35 all in for tube, starter and reflector.

 

[Maximumbob]

The arcadia lumineres are excellent but were out of my budget.

I used a company from ebay - their buy it now prices were not too competative.. but the auctions were excellent value. Only downside was the postage was £15.

This link shows a 3 tube version of the over tank luminere. I got a 2 lamp t5 for my 60 litre tank. For te money I paid for it ... its excellent.