Overtank Lighting

[MewMew42]

hellooo =]

soon i will be perchasing a 3ft tank, but id like to save a little bit of money and not have a hood but have a light source from above

what would be the appropriate wattage? or size, any specific ones i should be looking at?

or would it be best to get a hood and lighting system?

any of the fish below in my sig jump? i dont fancy having fish on my floor!

secondly filters, ive been told an undergravel filter, but i was just wondering what you thought if otherwise? if so suggestions?

thanks =]

 

[Colin_T]

You can put fluorescent light units on top of a tank and not have a hood. Just have a set of coverglass on the tank and that will allow the light in but stop the fish (mollies, swords & shark) from jumping out.
The amount of light you get depends on how high and wide the tank is, and whether or not you want live plants, and if you want lots of plants or only a few.
High output T5 lights are pretty good and more efficient (per watt) than normal fluoro globes.
Undergravel filters are fine as long as you use a gravel cleaner on them each week when you do a water change. If you have lots of rock in the tank, or loads of plants, then perhaps get an external power filter instead.