Will Light Fixture Corrode?

[TammyLiz]

I am making a diy hood and was wondering if I can use a regular shop light in it or if I need to get waterproof endcaps and wire it myself. I don't know if the shop light will be able to handle condensation, and since I have never had a hood over my tanks (just the little plastic lids) I am not sure how much condensation will build up.

Also, should I have a glass top under the hood or should it just be open to the lights? I think they will be about 4 inches from the surface. Is there a good way to do a diy glass top? I mean, other than just a piece of glass that I would have to completely remove to get into the tank? what could I use as a hinge?

 

[Tolak]

http/www.gcca.net/howto/tank_covers.htm

These are the cheapest diy tops I have ever found. Most of my tanks have them, tanks on the top row just have a tank size piece on top using the room light to illuminate the tanks. You could build a top, box out the shop light, and place it on top.

 

[TammyLiz]

http/www.gcca.net/howto/tank_covers.htm

These are the cheapest diy tops I have ever found. Most of my tanks have them, tanks on the top row just have a tank size piece on top using the room light to illuminate the tanks. You could build a top, box out the shop light, and place it on top.

Thanks for that. I may do that. The only thing I'm worried about it that it could diffuse too much of the light. Any thoughts on that?
Does anyone know if I can use the shop lights?

 

[Tolak]

I have a 2 tube 2 foot shop light over a 65, no problems with light. I took a few pics without the flash down in the fishroom, excuse the slight blur, no tripod.

Here's a 20 with room light, 60 watt incadescent around a foot & a half above the tank;

Here's the same tank with a flash;

29 with 60 watt around 2 feet away;

Same tank with flash;

They all have diffusers for tops, they let through plenty of light.

Here's a 65 pic with no flash, 2 foot long 2 tube fixture, plain flouro shop light:

HTH!