DIY Canopy and Ballasts

[sal t. nutz]

I am going to build a canopy for my 55. When I get VHO ballasts for it, do I get 48 inch bulbs or 36? Obviously 48 would be ideal since the tank is 48, but it seems that they prob would not fit inside the canopy since the canopy would be exactly 48. Anyone run into this?

 

[bigeyedfish]

you can go with the 48 inchers, just make the canopy longer and have braces inside to hold it against teh tank.
you could also go with 46.5 inch if you would rather make it to fit right on top of the tank. i am going to do the same as you and build a hood one of these days. i plan to go with the 48" just for personal preference.

 

[sal t. nutz]

The ballasts are adjustable right? You just put them as far apart as you want? The 46.5 you are talking about, is that just the bulb size? Are they more expensive being that they are a "special" length?

 

[richard rendos]

The ballast is not adjustable. You will get end caps that the bulbs fit into. These can be placed as far apart as necessary to fit your bulbs, and no the 46.5" bulbs are the same price as the 48".