24" strip on a 30" tank?

[Hilde]

For me the current usa light fixture fans were to loud.

Are you planning on hanging it above the tank?

Here is some info about light distance from the tank by Hoppy-
For every inch light distance from substrate increased there is a intensity reduced 15%. This is only good when the distance between the light and the substrate is more than 10 inches or so. As you get still closer to the bulb the inverse square relationship changes to more like a direct relationship to distance. And, the more bulbs you have above the tank, the sooner it becomes a direct relationship.

[Hilde]

Originally Posted by dooboogoo

Another thing would be to get an AH Supply 55W bright kit and making my own hood for it. If I do decide to go with the kit, just out of curiosity, can it work with a 65W bulb?

Probably won't work. If the bulb was slightly under 55watts it would work.

[dooboogoo]

The fans never bothered me. If I got the 24" 1x65W fixture, I would definitely hang it a little higher, maybe 6in above the top? I think I'll still be in the "high-light" category.

[talontsiawd]

If you don't already own it, I don't necessarily see the point. If you would rather have it on top of your tank, instead of suspending it, you obviously save time and probably money going with a 30 in. Even suspened, I would just go bigger for a few bucks.

That said, my coarlife 30 in fixtures are about 28.5 inches I would guess. So even the housing doesn't cover tank, they have these metal pieces that make them fit but they should be longer, even if it doesn't do anything, it would look better.

At the end of the day, I think it looks off too. If you make a hood, it will look fine. If you suspend them, they may look too small, they would for my taste.

[Hilde]

Originally Posted by dooboogoo

If I got the 24" 1x65W fixture, I would definitely hang it a little higher, maybe 6in above the top?

So then it is going to be an open top?

I have a 24'' over a 30 in tank and I notice that the front is darker. Thus thinking of getting a clear cover and suspending the light?

[dooboogoo]

Yeah, i'm planning an open top.

[FSM]

Originally Posted by Hilde

I have noticed that too. When my electric bill went $100 over the budget plan I was on I took the Pc light off the tank. I saw the electric bill decline the next month. I am trying to sell it in the area now and no 1 wants it.

I don't see how a 130 watt fixture could possibly have that much impact on your electric bill. Do the math: 130 watts turned on for 10 hours per day, 30 days in a month = 39 kilowatt hours

Electricity costs something like 5-10 cents per kilowatt hour.

[Left C]

If you get an Aqualight made for a 30" aquarium, you may want to try Coralife's adjustable (flip-up) legs. They are very good, but you will end up with an open top aquarium unless you make a custom (glass, acrylic, etc ) top. You can see from the bottom picture that they mount on the left and right sides of the aquarium.
http://www.bigalsonline.com/StoreCat...its=12&offset=

[dooboogoo]

I had a pair of those on my 10 gal a few years ago. Pretty sweet legs.

[waterfaller1]

Those are cool,do they work good?

[dooboogoo]

yeah, if you have an aqualight, you should totally give them a try.

[waterfaller1]

Thanks! Wow..4,000 posts for me..

[dooboogoo]

Congrats!

[Hilde]

Originally Posted by FSM

I don't see how a 130 watt fixture could possibly have that much impact on your electric bill. Do the math: 130 watts turned on for 10 hours per day, 30 days in a month = 39 kilowatt hours

Thanks for the info. That reminds me that I also had a tap dripping hot water. Perhaps it was that instead of the lights. It wasn't doing much for my plants anyways.

I just found a dual T5HO light system 30 in at aquaguy that cost $70. With shipping cos of $10 for total $80. If I knew what I know now I would have gotten this light.

[FSM]

That is the fixture I have, you can find it at a better price. I think I paid like $65 shipped.