32 gallon acrylic lighting

[cardstars]

I just bought a 32 gallon acrylic m-tank with 110 watt total lighting in a hood that is about 2 1/2 inches above the top of the tank. My problem is that I want to also put 150 watts of metal halide lighting up there too. I was going to go with the 150hqi. I cant figure out how to fit it all on top of the tank though, because there is only 2 1/2 inches below the lighting (not enough to slide it under there) and 2-3 inches in front or in back of the lighting, and thats if I slide the lighting all the way to one side. It just seems like such a waste to throw away this lighting hood cause its a pretty good one. any ideas as to how I can fit metal halide on top of my 32 gal m-tank without throwing away the lighting hood it came with??? or can I somehow supply the lighting from the side without blinding people when they look at the tank?

 

[aarone]

make a new hood your self, integrate the metal halide ballast, and bulb, with your pre existing bulbs and ballast. The hood should be about 8 inches above the tank with MH for heat problems. If i were you i would put some sort of reflective material on the indside of the tank. helps get the most out of the lights.

 

[cardstars]

would I use the hood I got with the tank? if not, what would I make it out of?

 

[aarone]

i used wood for mine. Then i coated it with a water sealer to prevent any kind of rot. MDF is a favorite for making nie paintable finishes. or you could get some acrylic and make an acrylic hood. More expensive but it would look better.