I'm going to set up a tank in my office. My main goals are cheap and low maintenance (no co2, no excel is the plan). I already have most of the equipment I need in the garage (even onyx and leonardite, but I might need more of both), but I will need to do something about the lights. I currently have the standard 48" single fluorescent light with the all-in-one plastic top. Insufficient.
The cheapest route for me to go short of shop lights (remember this is in my office) is to retro a 96w PC into the existing strip. I can do this for under $100, but I'm worried about the heat on the plastic top (it is not glass) and the light distribution (ie: hot spot in the middle). Am I right to think these issues are a problem?
Any other suggestions? For a bit more I could just go with a new glass top and twin 48" fluorescent tubes (80w). Should I just go that route? The light distribution would be much better and bulb replacement would probably be cheaper and easier.
The cheapest route for me to go short of shop lights (remember this is in my office) is to retro a 96w PC into the existing strip. I can do this for under $100, but I'm worried about the heat on the plastic top (it is not glass) and the light distribution (ie: hot spot in the middle). Am I right to think these issues are a problem?
Any other suggestions? For a bit more I could just go with a new glass top and twin 48" fluorescent tubes (80w). Should I just go that route? The light distribution would be much better and bulb replacement would probably be cheaper and easier.