How do I light?

[emo]

Hey i'm about to order the lighting for my tank... and my question is, how do I actually hook up the lighting?

I've got an 18"x12"x12" tank, with this hood.

Now, what do I need for the lighting?

I'm assuming i need something like this to actually house and power the tube?
I'm still deciding on what type of tube to get but if I get an 18" one, will it fit ok in my tank? i.e. can I squeeze it in with the end caps on e.t.c..?

ANOTHER thing I don't really get is wattage. Now, i think i need about 30-40w (going to be a planted tank) but I read on a post that 18" tubes are usually 15w? Does it mean i'll have to get two tubes? or...?

I'm confused, haha.

Sorry for all the questions, I really appreciate the help )

 

[sylvia]

I'm not sure whether that 18" applies to the tube length or the size tank it was made for... if it's the latter everything should fit fine as the starter shouldn't take up more than about a cm or 2 altogether once on the lights. Yes, you'll need more than one fixture if the tube is 15 watts.

I don't know about you, but my main community tank has a wooden hood through the back of which I had to drill holes to fit electric wires and the like through. I also had to find a way of attaching the plastic clips that hold up the lights to the hood. I just used 2 screws pushed into the wood for this but I'm not sure what your hood is like. Ever since setting that tank up, all my others have had built in hood and lights so I don't need to mess with DIY (which I am useless at) or electric things (which I am equaly useless with).