small tanks...ie 5 gallons

[houndour]

I'm going to get a 5 US gallon tank for a betta and plants.

Because I want plants and I want a serious planted I want to put a 24 watt t5 interpet tube in this tank.

My concern is the tank I'm looking at (clear seal 16"x8x8 for £10.99) has a plastic hood. Will this be OK for the lighting above? I'm worried it'll melt.

Setting this tank up is going to cost around £56 to £76 (depending on whether I buy fluorite substrate or stick to sand i already have). I already have a filter and heater so they are in the equation.

Anyway, I was looking at other tanks...there are some really stlish ones out there...the aquacube...£100!!!!!!!!!! And I saw another that I really liked for nano reef tanks (but can be for tropical..and that was over £100 too!) So I'm sticking with the clear seal I guess.

Anyway, enough rambling. Will my hood melt! And should I think about budgeting for making a wooden one? But I dont want to make one! why cant anything be simple?

 

[IovaykInD]

If it's a flourescent fixture, it probably won't melt. But you could feel the plastic after a couple minutes of operation to feel if it is really hot. If it is, then return it and get a real fixture.

Isaac

 

[jive_bunny]

I had a clearseal 18x10x10 with a plastic hood and one of those lights which you buy off the self from arcadia, which you then fix yourself to the plastic hood and it got EXTREMELY hot even with the metal reflector between the bulb and the hood.

It didnt melt though so my view is it would be ok. Try it and if it does then try and find/make a wooden one.

All the best.