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Is there anywhere I can order glass for building my aquarium online? I just need a 48x24" piece but I can't find any reasonably priced glass locally. Maybe that's why I can't find any reasonably priced aquariums. $300 for 100g just the tank...
Also someone explain to me the difference in wattage in power compacts. I know reg floro the length determines the watts but what about pc? I have a 48"strip with four 55w compact bulbs and I was wondering what it would take to upgrade it or if it can be done.

i think CF's wattages are also determined by their lengths, i have see 96W bulbs, but i think theyre longer.

cant help you with order glass though. most sites i know dont sell glass because they can break so easily due to shipping.

Th cost of shipping (weight and crating) pieces of glass would far eclipse the price of the glass itself.....it would not be worth it.

Hi,
You need to be careful when ordering glass online, or
purchasing it locally for that matter. In talking with
Keith, one of our FP members, there seems to be a good
deal of inexpensive, and poorly made glass, that is not
as strong as other glasses. Much of it comes from China
as I recall the conversation. Spot one of his posts, and
PM him for more information, or possible solutions.

As far as Compact Flourscents, or any flourscent bulb,
the wattage depends upon the type of phosphors (content)
and voltage that the bulb is operated at.

A 40 watt "T" type bulb (T-5, T-8, T-12, etc) is just a
common, ordinary, straight flourscent tube and the 40
watts is the power consumption over the entire length
of the bulb. Where the compacts "put out more light"
is simply, and only, because they are in a U shape
or spiral shape where the 3,4,6,12 foot long tubes
are folded back on themselves or turned into a coil
like shape, and the light is "compressed" into a smaller
area. My 65 watt compact flourscents are only 22 inches
long. I have two on a 30 gallon tank. There is no way
to have that kind of light with two bulbs using standard,
straight, flourscents.

VHO or Very High Output flourscents are bulbs that are
run with very high voltage, require special caps
(connections) wiring and ballasts. The bulb is driven
to higher outputs.

Hope this helps...

Frank


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

My 55w bulbs measure 21" not counting the pins with a 2" gap between the sets of 2 bulbs. So 22" bulbs would actually fit but I'm sure I wouldn't want them touching. What about the rest of the light though? Would I have to change anything to put in higher watt bulbs?
As for the glass that's the problem. I can only find inferior glass or glass precut/designed for other uses that makes it unsuitable for making an aquarium. I did find a place I can get enough acrylic to make the tank for around $75 but then I read about bending corners and this looks a bit too complicated to be worth it. I know you chemically melt acrylic together so do you have to do the corners a special way or just put on the stuff and stick it together. Still a long way from building a tank

wow things must be exspensive where you live to bad you dont live near me my lfs sells 125 gal. with oak trim for 200.00 a 112 gal. for 159.00 take a road trip and find a cheap tank it would be worth it.