55gallon Tank Problem

[lildozer74]

though im not really a beginner, thought this would be a good place to post this. I bought a 55gallon tank from wallyworld (Walmart), and unfortuantely the lighting on it is only fit for 2 18inch 15watt bulbs. My plants are growing great but i wanted more light (1watt for every gallon right?) but the tank has the plastic top all the way around it with the brace in the middle. I cannot for the life of me find a replacement that will replace the top (I was wanting the 48" bulbs for max lighting and growth) that I currently have on it without having to remove the middle brace section. as you can see from the pics it has been pretty hard to find a replacement. thanks for any help!

http/i54.photobucket.com/albums/g115/lil...4/fishtank1.jpg

http/i54.photobucket.com/albums/g115/lil...4/fishtank2.jpg

http/i54.photobucket.com/albums/g115/lil...4/fishtank3.jpg

 

[cujoho78]

Hi. I have a similar tank, possibly even the same tank although mine didn't come from Walmart so i understand the set-up. The plastic piece on the top with the brace is pretty much there for good. You don't want to try to take that off, especially if the tank is full of water. You can buy lights similar to what you have except with 2 bulbs in there instead of one, but you'd have to check the measurements to see if they would fit on top of your existing plastic lids. You may have to ditch those plastic lids altogether to do what you want to do. You could DIY a light set-up or buy a pre-made unit and perhaps use a pair of glass lids so that the light can penetrate. I wouldn't worry about the brace too much, if you had 4 foot lights over it it's not going to block that much light.

 

[Tempestuousfury]

Not sure about this, but you might want to try two smaller hoods for the two smaller sections...

You might also want to try the DIY/ hardware sections.

 

[Thepenguin]

You can buy glass tops that come as two smaller pieces that fit inside each half of the top. We have the same setup on our 55 Gal with a double 48" flouro strip.

 

[Boids-n-more]

You can goto home depot and by a 48 shop light fixture with room for 4 bulbs. its alot cheaper than the over priced single and double tube fixtures at the pet store.

 

[lildozer74]

hey penguin where did you get the glass pieces from? everyone else thanks for the help. if i did buy a 48" light wouldnt it melt the center brace thus leading to hella problems?

 

[ox5477]

hey penguin where did you get the glass pieces from? everyone else thanks for the help. if i did buy a 48" light wouldnt it melt the center brace thus leading to hella problems?

No, not even close. Even if you were using a heat lamp directly on top of the support, it wouldn't melt. My 55G has a 48" that streches on it and it's completely fine

 

[lildozer74]

well i went out and got a 48" shop light. toalt cost including bulbs under 30 bucks. way happy too. really bright and looks good. im so glad i didnt buy one of them real expensive fixtures!