New lighting questions

[Kamdavid]

24/7 Finnex HLC series. Questions.

My current tank is 20 gallons. Has a black hood with LED lights under the hood. If I was to purchase the 24/7 , I’d have to remove the hood. Fish won’t jump out, right ?

Obviously the filter will still be hanging on the back.

Anyways. What size would I need , I don’t want to order the wrong size because it’s not cheap.

Tank is 24 inches length.

 

[Crispii]

Fish can and will jump out of tanks without lids. If you're going to do hoodless, keep in mind that you're taking a risk.

 

[Kamdavid]

I wouldn’t be able to keep the hood AND have the 24/7 unfortunately.

 

[Metalhead88]

You need a lid for multiple reasons.

If you want that light, get a glass lid.

Lids...
stop fish from jumping out
reduce evaporation, humidity,and potential smell in the room
save electricity by containing warmth and putting less stress on the heater
stop spashing on light fixtures that are likely not water proof

you don't want to subject your nice new light to water evaporation/splashing

When you get the fixture, get a fixture that is the entire length of the tank.

 

[Kamdavid]

What size glass lid would I need to purchase. 24 length, 12.5 wide. Should I measure the lip of the tank ?

 

[Byron]

What size glass lid would I need to purchase. 24 length, 12.5 wide. Should I measure the lip of the tank ?

Glass cover sets fit down on that lip around the inside of the frame, so that is the measurement. The lighting unit must sit on top of the frame at both ends of the tank. Most of the glass cover sets have two panes of glass that fit together with a plastic hinge so you can open the front for feeding. A plastic strip attaches along the back length and this can be cut for heaters, filter openings.

This is a link to one such cover to give you an idea what they look like. I am not endorsing this one or the outlet.

https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/fish/fish-tank-hoods-lighting/aqueon-versa-top-24-x12-hinged-glass-aquarium-top

And I readily agree with others...fish will jump, usually during the night. Corydoras catfish and loaches have even been known to jump out at night. And the other issues mentioned in post #4 are significant too.

 

[Kamdavid]

Ok I’ll look into a glass canopy

 

[Metalhead88]

A 20 gallon should be a standard size one piece glass lid.

Remember to give yourself some 2 inches or so in the width for the filter. Glass lids come with a plastic price to fill in the gaps of heater and filter

 

[Kamdavid]

I ordered the glass canopy and the light. Will let you know know how it turns out.