what light do i get for my tank?

[chris]

hi

im building up a tropical tank and need to but a light for the hood!the trouble is i dont know what to buy

the size of the tank is 24'' wide and 18'' high

i would like to put an ultra violet tube in it (like the ones you see in nightclubs) if it is not cruel to the fish

i presume i cant put a 24'' tube in the hood as the hood is 24'' wide so i think that i will have to get one shorter than 24'' say 18'' (is this right?)

also what wattage of tube do i buy?and what starter unit do i need to get?

any help would be greatly apperciated?

also what are the easiest type of tropical fish to keep?

cheers

chris

bluebug73@yahoo.co.uk

 

[Great Lakes]

Chris, you have to build a hood yet?

 

[chris]

ive got the hood already!

 

[Great Lakes]

Then it probably is a 18" light. I have a uv light in one tank for night(moon) light. Does not give off much light. You are better off with a normal plant and aquarium bulb.

 

[cichlidmaster]

Some hoods are made to accept a full length bulb. Meaning your hood may accept a 2ft bulb.

Very simply measure the space between the end caps to determine the correct size bulb.

Another alternative is to take the hood with you and test fit the bulb at the lfs.

As for bulb type;

a good general bulb would be a grolux. These are also inexpensive.

 

[StiX]

As for the wattage, it is determined by the lenth of the tube, and the starter unit u need goes by the wattage of the bulb, i.e. u but a 20w bulb, so u buy a starter to take a 20w bulb.