mounting 24" tube in 40 gal breeder

[CZ4A]

I see a bunch of custom setups with the tube light mounted inside the cage against the wall. Currently I have a 40 gallon breeder glass tank with 2 dome lights sitting on the screen top. I'm looking to buy the reptisun 10.0 bulb and want to mount it inside the cage against the glass. I'm looking at the 24" bulb and going to homedepot later. What fixtures are there to mount the 24" reptisun bulb safely to the glass? If anyone has a link to the exact fixture/mount that would be perfect.

 

[SarahUK]

Just giving this post a little bump because im also wondering the same thing.

Its these technical lighting things like fixtures and ratings that get me confused :? :dontknow:

 

[CZ4A]

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=163705-337-SN-120-LTS-120V-U&lpage=none

How does this light fixture sound for the reptisun 10.0 24" light? Went to home depot and couldnt find anything. What would you use to mount it to glass? I'm going to have a basking light on the screen over this tube light so it will need to withstand the high temps.

 

[TheWolfmanTom]

double stick tape is what i would try. Use alot and mount the fixture to the back of the tank.

 

[skimaniac6]

You can find zip ties that have a flat area with double stick tape, I would safty it to the top of the cage because the heat will eventually cause the tape to let go and the bulb will fall. Picture a telephone pole falling on you, that is how the poor little guy would feel.

 

[skimaniac6]

Now I am laughing because I am in the same position, I don't want to remove 2 lights everytime I open the lid. My thoughts are 2 support arms that spread the weight acoss the cage and drop down arms to get the height I need. Would make cleaning a problem. The other idea is a bracket that hooks over the back of the tank and giving the unit a bit of a tilt up. One other problem is some kinda hood for the light to contain and reflect the light from the tube. :roll: I'm not sure tape would hold the wieght of the ballast and fixture so forget my last post. Well I am off to Lowes and I will post if I come up with something. :study:

 

[CZ4A]

Yea I was at Lowes yesterday and these things are heavy. Walmart has this Light of America model 7020 that fits a 24" bulb and is small compared to what I have found so far. Not sure if I read it here or another forum but someone cut some plywood the width of the light fixture and length of the cage so it can rest on the lip at the top. You can drill the light fixture into the wood and just rest it up top. If I can mount a basking bulb fixture to that aswell I can clear off the screen top. I cant tell you how many times I've pushed the screen top back just far enough to have the weight of the lights make everything go crashing down. I ordered the light and fixture and going to give this a try sometime this week or over the weekend. I'll take pics for anyone interested.

 

[MBrian]

Here's how i have my set up for the new beardie, its only temporary till I could get a better looking one.Not sure where to get them though similar to your question im reading suggestions but no definite answers, so i would like to know too.Just two pieces of thin wood screwed into the fixture.I dont have to move it or anything when i pick up the beardie but dont use a screen.I think it's ugly but it gets the job done!

 

[skimaniac6]

I think I got it, I got some flat stock metal I could bend and made 2 brackets for an under counter light, I will try to post pics tomorrow. Fixture was 12.00 and stock and screws were another 5, a bit of work with the dremel and I am almost ready for my first Beardie! :lol:

 

[skimaniac6]

I love when I can do things the easy way.
4.50 for the metal stock and about an hour of cutting bending and securing.

 

[CZ4A]

Very cool idea. Thats aluminum? I might give that a shot tomorrow. Got the fixture in, hopefully the bulb comes tomorrow so I can get this all done.

 

[skimaniac6]

I prefer to call it metal cause I can't say aluminum let alone spell it. Lowes has it get the pink end stuff, it is easy to bend and cut and make any lenght you want. $4.53 for a 36 inch piece, should be fine, maybe some nuts and bolts you will be set.