Lighting question - will 24" work on a 30" W tank

[ufotofu]

Looking to add an HQI setup to my 50gal. Problem is, only 1 HQI hood out there that I know of (Sunpod 30"). Most companies make 24" hoods with a wide variety of stuff crammed into them. I'd like to get a 250W HQI with T5 or CF actinics and moonlight LEDs. Will a 24" wide hood work on my 30" wide tank w/o being a hazard? Anyone else out there doing this? Should I go up to a 36" width?

 

[bleedingthought]

Not sure if this is the answer you're looking for, but since I don't have experience with what you're asking, the best thing to do, and I know for sure will get you some good answers, is to find the manufacture's website and e-mail them asking the same question. They'll definitely be able to help you out!

 

[trido]

Will a 24" wide hood work on my 30" wide tank w/o being a hazard?

If you can keep it from falling into the tank via mounting it to the hood or hanging like a pendant, it shouldnt be a hazard to anyone or anything as far as I can see.[/quote]

 

[Len]

What Trido said. Just find a way to insure the fixture can't fall into the tank, such as getting a pendant style and suspending it to a hood, wall, or ceiling. Resting MH fixtures directly above the tank (that is, sitting on the tank's rails) is never a safe idea.

 

[ufotofu]

Thanks for the suggestions.

Someone also suggested I put a shelf atop the aquarium mounted to the wall and then mount the fixture to the underside of it. Only problem is my landlord would probably faint if she saw the anchor holes in the wall. That said I'll probably be going with the Sunpod 30" with 250W HQI and LEDs. I might also use my CF fixture (55W) to fire an actinic tube.

I guess I could also build a custom hood to hold a retrofit kit.

 

[fcmatt]

why not just build a hood that fits on top of the tank.
install your own diy lighting the way u want it.

 

[fcmatt]

I guess I could also build a custom hood to hold a retrofit kit.

doh. missed this last sentence ;-)

it is a good idea tho.