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I'm upgrading my tank size so I need more light. I have a fixture with four 55w tubes and one with 2 reg fluorescent 40w tubes. I was looking at ballast kits and the ones for 55w bulbs also say they run 65w so could I put 65w bulbs in place of the 55w? If the ballast is fine I see 2 other potential problems. The extra heat produced because my fixture does not have any fans only these heat retaining bands and it gets hot enough now to melt the glue holding the handles to the glass covers. The other is space. If I put all 65w bulbs in the hood then the ends would just barely touch. Can I alternate putting 1 55 then 1 65 opposite it?
2nd what can I put in the reg fluorescent hood? It's 48 1/2" by 4 1/2".

Hi,
Heat is the primary problem with "retro fitting" Compact
flourscents into a standard hood. If you already have
"melting" occuring, you are way past the point of needing
to add at least one fan to the hood. Use a quality computer
muffin fan with bearings. That will last longer.

There are several kits available for installing compact
flourscent systems into standard flourscent hoods. Look
in Big Al's or Drsfostersmith online sites for ideas and
costs.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

How would I install a fan? The compact I have now is not a retrofit it's one I bought. There's nowhere to put the fan inside the strip and it nearly touches the glass. It's not the best design which I'm guessing is why it was dirt cheap and also has no vents or anything. So far it hasn't heated the water up a noticable amount but the handle keeps coming off the glass from melting the glue. There's a 2" gap between the bulbs which is why I wanted to try the slightly longer 65w bulbs alternating with the 55 instead of buying a whole new strip for the new tank.

Hi,
From the sound of things, you would have to cut an
appropriate size hole on one end and mount the fan on the
outside of the enclosure, at the other end you could cut
a similiar size hole, or several smaller ones, say 4 or 5
1/2 inch holes in a row. Then place a piece of mesh across
those holes. Mount the fan so that it pulls the air out.
The mesh will trap dust and dirt on the outside keeping
it out of the enclosure.

Mine came with a fan and initially used two 55 watt bulbs,
I have since shifted to 65 watt bulbs with no harmful
effects.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

This sounds like one of those projects I ask my grandpa to do So if I stick in two 65w and two 55w bulbs I have 240w of the 360 I need. Missing 120w still and the regular fluorescent strip is only 80 so I'm going to have to find a retrofit kit next. I guess I could leave the bulbs in the current strip as 55w and just retrofit the other strip for two 65w and be close enough. Only .1wpg less than I have now.