Lighting for 29 Gallon Planted Tank

[pyackel]

I have spent days Googling my brain out - in a quest for 80-100watts of Compact Fluorescent Lighting for this 29 gallon tank. I have very few manufacturers and options to choose from. Does anyone know of any that fit my criteria?

 

[Somonas]

Sure, this is what I use. I assume your 29 is 36" long.
They have changed this years model a bit but the idea is the same

http://www.customsealife.com/f_smartlite.htm

if you want to retrofit an existing hood or build your own.
http://www.customsealife.com/r_smartlite.htm

All Glass makes some 24" power compact fixtures but I don't have their website handy.

 

[pyackel]

No, mine is 30" long...

 

[Somonas]

hmm that could be odd.
have you ever thought about DIY'ing something using screw in powercompacts? (from home depot etc)

 

[prhelp]

I'm facing a similar issue -- 29g tall, with only a 19 x 5 1/8 opening on top -- leaves room for about a 12" bulb.

It's horrible, and I can't find any help.

 

[Gomer]

I have a 29g and recently used the 2x55watt PC kit from www.ahsupply.com

very good experience with them. The kit is really well priced (IMO) and the reflector is awesome Their bulbs are also well priced.

 

[pyackel]

Thanks Gomer! I think I'm gonna get one 36 watt kitt and one 55 watt kit for a total of 91 watts.

 

[geoffgarcia2]

I've found this company to be the cheapest
http://www.petsupplyliquidator.com
and they still make a very good quality hood

you can get used hoods for 50% less though, so I'd recommend you get a used one instead.

I have a 24" 2x55w hood that easily fits a 10 gallon tank but can very easily be modified to fit my 36" 29 gallon also.

I just saw a 2x96w hood which I almost bought for sale on reefcentral.com
they have tons of classifieds postings on there. it was only 100$ and was 3 months old (to give you a price idea)

dont get fans they are useless!

 

[Gomer]

you might want to go with 2x55 instead. They fill the tank much more evenly than the shorter 36watt bulbs will.