I just acquired a 125 gallon aquarium from someone on Craigslist. It's being water tested as I write this.
I have decided I want to build my own canopy. A canopy just seems right for a large 6' tank. I went to Lowe's to look at lighting and I have a few options. They don't carry 3' lighting and the 2' sections are somehow more expensive than the 4' sections. They sell a 4' open face fluorescent light fixture that holds 2 T8 bulbs for $14, which seems hard to pass up.
Will this standard utility light be okay inside a canopy over an open aquarium with all the moisture that will be inside from the evaporating water? If it is not, I may purchase glass tops to cover the aquarium and reduce evaporation because the "moisture approved" fluorescent lighting they sell is $20 more expensive per fixture and it comes with a cover that I would think reduces the effectiveness of the light.
Now because my canopy will be 6' I am stuck with one of 2 options. Either I center a single 4' fixture and hope that the two 4' bulbs can provide enough light (not worried about too much light because all the plants will be fake). Or I can offset two 4' fixtures and there will be 2' of overlapping light. My only concern with using 2 fixtures is that the center area of the tank will be too bright and the fish will keep to the ends of the tank. (BTW, my stock will be all South American cichlids: 4 keyholes, 2 severum, 4 red head geo tapajos and 12 Cory cats of undecided species). Which method will work better?
I appreciate any and all advice. Thanks!
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I have decided I want to build my own canopy. A canopy just seems right for a large 6' tank. I went to Lowe's to look at lighting and I have a few options. They don't carry 3' lighting and the 2' sections are somehow more expensive than the 4' sections. They sell a 4' open face fluorescent light fixture that holds 2 T8 bulbs for $14, which seems hard to pass up.
Will this standard utility light be okay inside a canopy over an open aquarium with all the moisture that will be inside from the evaporating water? If it is not, I may purchase glass tops to cover the aquarium and reduce evaporation because the "moisture approved" fluorescent lighting they sell is $20 more expensive per fixture and it comes with a cover that I would think reduces the effectiveness of the light.
Now because my canopy will be 6' I am stuck with one of 2 options. Either I center a single 4' fixture and hope that the two 4' bulbs can provide enough light (not worried about too much light because all the plants will be fake). Or I can offset two 4' fixtures and there will be 2' of overlapping light. My only concern with using 2 fixtures is that the center area of the tank will be too bright and the fish will keep to the ends of the tank. (BTW, my stock will be all South American cichlids: 4 keyholes, 2 severum, 4 red head geo tapajos and 12 Cory cats of undecided species). Which method will work better?
I appreciate any and all advice. Thanks!
Sent from my iPad using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
