Retrofit Kit
- Thread starter Prune Tracy
- Start date
The only thing I can suggest is the 2 x 36w CF retrofit at AH Supply, which will give you 66 watts in 17.5" x 7".
http://www.ahsupply.com/36-55w.htm
It gets kind of difficult with only 20" to get high wattage. Maybe someone else knows of another kit.
http://www.ahsupply.com/36-55w.htm
It gets kind of difficult with only 20" to get high wattage. Maybe someone else knows of another kit.
Thank you so much. That kit should fit perfectly into my hood. It's a little more expensive than the unit I saw today at the LFS but the kit seems more versatile and the ballast is definitely smaller. There's an extra 7 watts in it and the bulbs are cheaper too. That reflecter looks bulky. What is the height of it, if you happen to know? The only major obstacle left in my hood is the glass. How neccessary is it that there be glass between the bulbs and the water and does the glass need to go clear to the edges or can it simply cover the bulbs?
I believe they're 2" high.
I have had a problem in the past with water splashing onto a ballast and nearly causing a house fire. It wasn't a CF fixture, but you do have to be careful about water in the hood. It will also depend on how high the lights are off the water.
Depending on how much you want to spend, you might find a ready-built setup you like, too. Big Als and Drs Foster Smith both have quite a range of stuff. The 20" size doesn't always have a lot of choice, from what I have seen.
Big Als has an 18" 96w retrofit kit here: http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/category.xml?pcid1=1843;category_id=1873
I have had a problem in the past with water splashing onto a ballast and nearly causing a house fire. It wasn't a CF fixture, but you do have to be careful about water in the hood. It will also depend on how high the lights are off the water.
Depending on how much you want to spend, you might find a ready-built setup you like, too. Big Als and Drs Foster Smith both have quite a range of stuff. The 20" size doesn't always have a lot of choice, from what I have seen.
Big Als has an 18" 96w retrofit kit here: http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/category.xml?pcid1=1843;category_id=1873
Well now I'm going to have to get technical. It's a little late for the prefabs. The first time I saw the prices of the prefabs I jumped out of my skin. $100 for 55 watts!?! I decided to make my own and mostly I have. Searching for a CF lighting socket has just about put me over the edge and next time I will buy a prefab but for now I have a beautiful wooden hood paint and complete with an excellent drip system. I'm very proud and in far too deep to turn back now.
The original tank dementions are something like 2 feet by 1 foot and the hood has a lip over that. Inside there is a ledge glass was intended to sit on but there just isn't enough space vertically for a 2 inch reflecter or even a 1 1/2 inch so the glass is a no go there. Below the ledge is a PVC pipe perimeter for the drip system, very nice. It leaves the dementions of 20" x 9" for a light to hang through it since the glass can no longer go where it is intended to be. The light will still be a solid 3" above the water and the ballast would be in a dificult space for water to splash to but I'm not big on chancing things like that. I think I could rig a set-up where I attach the glass to the lid of the hood and it would hang over the light as a shield. It may be a little tricky to work out but it shouldn't cost anything and it would be nice to raise the lid and move the glass all in one simple action.
I kinda just wanted to brag. Thanks for all the help and I promise a full set of pictures in the fall after the tank is fully stocked.
The original tank dementions are something like 2 feet by 1 foot and the hood has a lip over that. Inside there is a ledge glass was intended to sit on but there just isn't enough space vertically for a 2 inch reflecter or even a 1 1/2 inch so the glass is a no go there. Below the ledge is a PVC pipe perimeter for the drip system, very nice. It leaves the dementions of 20" x 9" for a light to hang through it since the glass can no longer go where it is intended to be. The light will still be a solid 3" above the water and the ballast would be in a dificult space for water to splash to but I'm not big on chancing things like that. I think I could rig a set-up where I attach the glass to the lid of the hood and it would hang over the light as a shield. It may be a little tricky to work out but it shouldn't cost anything and it would be nice to raise the lid and move the glass all in one simple action.
I kinda just wanted to brag. Thanks for all the help and I promise a full set of pictures in the fall after the tank is fully stocked.