Lighting - Retrofit Kits??

[paige]

What exactly are retrofit kits?

I have a 46g tank and it still has the light that came with it - 36" 25W flourescent bulb. I wanted to get a new light for the tank. Can I buy one of these PC retrofit kits and just replace what's inside my current light box?

This is what I want:
http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsU.../coralifeaqualightretrofitkit36pc1x96watt5050

This is what I have:
http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsU...929/cl0/allglasssingledeluxestriplight36black

This option is a big cheaper than buying a whole new PC strip light.

 

[OCCFan023]

Well it may be hard to remova all the previouse fittings (bulb holders, ballist, and so on in that hood). Most retros will be used in a tanks hood.

I am not an expert as I have never done any retro fitting but from my understanding that wouldnt work (I could be wrong but pretty sure)

Have you thought about putting a hood on the 46 gallon?

 

[paige]

Isn't a hood just the light strip and the plastic & glass thing it sits on? With the door I open to feed the fish?

It's got a cap if that's what you mean...but the cap opens from the top so I wouldn't really be able to get in and out if I had a light mounted to it.

 

[Nativefish Boy]

ahsupply.com. best retros out in the market. PERIOD

 

[OCCFan023]

Isn't a hood just the light strip and the plastic & glass thing it sits on? With the door I open to feed the fish?

It's got a cap if that's what you mean...but the cap opens from the top so I wouldn't really be able to get in and out if I had a light mounted to it.

I meant canopy

 

[Lotus]

Oddly enough, the Coralife 1 x 96 watt strip light is exactly the same price as the retrofit... no wiring required: http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsU...life36aqualightpowercompactstriplight1x96watt

If it's for freshwater, get this one: http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsU...fefreshwateraqualight36powercompactlight1x96w

It's on sale this week, and $5 cheaper than a retrofit.

IMO the coralife strips are more attractive than the All Glass ones, too.

 

[paige]

My concern about buying a new lamp is that it'll be too long or too wide. I have the plastic hood with only the little strip of glass for the light to shine through...so I don't want a light that's way bigger than the glass. Also the canopy fits so tightly if it's a millimeter over 36" it won't fit.

 

[Nativefish Boy]

get the AHsupply retro. they are ment to fit in the stock plastic hoods