Replacing Light & Hood

[Discovery86]

After doing a lot of research, I think the first step towards converting my tank to planted is to replace the hood and light. I read the Back to Basics pinned topic and decided that a low tech approach would be best for me.

What I'm looking at right now is an All-Glass hood and this light. My aquarium gets enough natural light that when my current light broke, I never replaced it because it was causing extra algae to grow.

Will these work?? If not, can someone recommend something else?

Tetragirl

My tank:
30 gallon All Glass Aquarium
30"w x 12.25"d x 18.75"tall
Emperor 280 filter
Visi-Therm Stealth Heater 150w
Air Pump hooked up to bubble wall
Lemon Tetras

 

[JenCliBee]

Have you thought about a double T8 luminaire?, as long as you don't have prone to jumping fish, they look superb.

 

[Mikaila31]

Do you currently have a glass canopy or not? Do you still have the broken light fixture? I ask because if you are up to it, its not that hard to wire in a retrofit kit or make your own hood. The light you linked is OK at best IMO, you could easily make something much better w/ the same wattage cost would be about the same, maybe a little cheaper.

 

[Discovery86]

Have you thought about a double T8 luminaire?, as long as you don't have prone to jumping fish, they look superb.

They do look great, but I need a cover over my aquarium. We have 2 cats and a dog that shed like crazy. A lot of fur ends up on top of my tank, and I'm pretty sure the fish would prefer it stays out of their water.

Do you currently have a glass canopy or not? Do you still have the broken light fixture? I ask because if you are up to it, its not that hard to wire in a retrofit kit or make your own hood. The light you linked is OK at best IMO, you could easily make something much better w/ the same wattage cost would be about the same, maybe a little cheaper.

I have the one that came with the tank - it's plastic. I want to replace it because one of the "hinges" on the lid snapped off. Here's a picture of it without the light fixture. I do still have the fixture, but it only holds one lightbulb. As far as I know the fixture still works, it just needs a new lightbulb.

 

[Mikaila31]

What I mean is take the old eclipse light fixture and install and retrofit a better light in it. AHsupply sells some really nice kits. You could go for the 36 watt or 55watt if you think you want possibly go on to DIY co2. If you stick with that lid on the tank you could use the 55watt w/ CO2 as that lid will block some of the light. The cost(retrofit+bulb) works out to roughly the same as the fixture you were looking at first. But the retrofit kit IMO is much better and is more efficient in its design. The down side is that you need too build it. You can use your old hood or make a wooden one. Feel free to ask me questions if you choose to do this. I've used these kits and have dismantled many eclipse fixtures.

 

[Discovery86]

What I mean is take the old eclipse light fixture and install and retrofit a better light in it. AHsupply sells some really nice kits. You could go for the 36 watt or 55watt if you think you want possibly go on to DIY co2. If you stick with that lid on the tank you could use the 55watt w/ CO2 as that lid will block some of the light. The cost(retrofit+bulb) works out to roughly the same as the fixture you were looking at first. But the retrofit kit IMO is much better and is more efficient in its design. The down side is that you need too build it. You can use your old hood or make a wooden one. Feel free to ask me questions if you choose to do this. I've used these kits and have dismantled many eclipse fixtures.

Ok, thanks. My Dad is good with all this electronic stuff, so I'll get him to take a look at the kit and see what he thinks.
Thanks again!
Tetragirl