DIY 29 Gallon Hood - Page 2 - DIY Aquarium Projects

helgymatt · 04-17-2008, 09:43 AM

Yes, I think that would work well, but you might as well just get 1 of the 2x55 watt kits. I think that would be cheaper and this way you would only need one balast. What are the dimensions of that tank? If it is longer than 30" you may have problems getting good coverage in all the corners with the 2x55 kit.

Snydaleid · 04-17-2008, 10:07 AM

30 1/4 x 12 1/2 x 22 3/4. I wasn't sure if the 2x55 watt kit would provide sufficient lighting coverage. I'd prefer to do it that way since it won't be as expensive.

helgymatt · 04-17-2008, 10:18 AM

The 2x55 watt is equivalent to 2 of the 1x55 watt kits. The 2x55 watt has two seperate reflectors and bulbs that you can place anywhere you would like.
I think that these would work well with this tank, but I would also consider High Output T5's if you have the money. You may get better coverage with those.

Snydaleid · 04-17-2008, 12:18 PM

It looks like the 2x55w Bright Kit will work. They have it as an option in the 30" finished enclosure they sell. I'm going to go with this.

http://www.ahsupply.com/finished_enclosures.htm

Seattle_Aquarist · 04-17-2008, 12:58 PM

Hi Snydaleid,

Do yourself a favor and call Kim (guy) at AH Supply and talk with him. I have a 45 tall (36" X 12" X 24" H) and was advised that the 2 X 55 watt kit would be too long for my tank due to end caps, power cord, and working space constraints. He suggested that I go with the 1 X 96 watt system. I'm glad I talked with him, he was very helpful and informative. I bought the 1 X 96 watt with his 6700K bulb and couldn't be happier after almost 3 months. I can grow just about anything, even in this deep tank. Hope this information helps!

helgymatt · 04-17-2008, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snydaleid

It looks like the 2x55w Bright Kit will work. They have it as an option in the 30" finished enclosure they sell. I'm going to go with this.

http://www.ahsupply.com/finished_enclosures.htm

That will suit you well!

Snydaleid · 04-18-2008, 07:29 PM

I sent them an email. The suggestion was to get 2 of the 1x55w kits. Have one of them on for 10 hours and the other one on a timer for only 5 hours out of the day. Interesting idea... Think I'm going to try that out.

hoppycalif · 04-18-2008, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snydaleid

I sent them an email. The suggestion was to get 2 of the 1x55w kits. Have one of them on for 10 hours and the other one on a timer for only 5 hours out of the day. Interesting idea... Think I'm going to try that out.

That is a good suggestion. You can also replace the 55 watt bulbs with 36 watt bulbs if you find you want less light. I have done that, at AHS suggestion, and it worked fine.

Seattle_Aquarist · 04-19-2008, 06:48 AM

Hi Snydaleid,

I was talking with Kim at AH Supply yesterday about another matter and mentioned your post on this site. He said that he had received your email and that you were not putting the two 55 watt systems end to end but side to side. They will fit just fine that way, I misunderstood how you were planning the install. I hope you like your system as much as I like mine!

Snydaleid · 05-02-2008, 03:28 PM

Ok finally got it all finished. I had so much goin on that I didn't have much time to put toward this. This is a pretty nice canopy. I'm really happy the way it turned out. The lights are BRIGHT! I used a piano hinge and blocks of wood instead of the L brackets. Here's what mine looks like.