exo terra fixture questions(please come in)

[~boy~]

My tank is half way done right now(exo-terra 18x18x18 tank), currnetly looking lighting for my tank.
but got a question in mind, does anybody know what is the differnt between Exo Terra Dual Top Canopy and the Exo Terra Compact Top Canopy, one is a fluorescent and halogen combination and other is compact fluorescent terrarium canopy? which is do i need? or do i need both of them? I saw the dual top has basking function? if anybody can tell me what kind i should be getting that would be great.

Thanks

[Green Ghost]

if you can get a fluorescent and halogen canopy, IMHO it's really worth it. Live plants are what make a viv and plants will do well with that kind of light. If that canopy has separate plugs for each kind of fixture, it could be possible to have the different lights come on at different times with the use of a timer.

Be careful with the halogen bulbs because they can get very hot. I imagine the fluorescent are T5's?

[Waterkeeper]

The compact top canopy is screw in compact fluorescent bulbs. PT2226 is the part number for the 18x18.

There is no "dual top canopy" according to their latest catalog. even their aquarium lighting starts at 24" so it won't fit.

[captaincarot]

Originally Posted by Waterkeeper

There is no "dual top canopy" according to their latest catalog. even their aquarium lighting starts at 24" so it won't fit.

though they do exist because i have seen one in the shop near me.

dual tops are better than compact tops for reptiles becuase they have 2 fluorescent and 2 halogen bulbs in them.
compact tops will only take 2 bulbs either normal incandescents max 26 watt or the new compact fluorescents max 26 watt.
so compact tops are ok if you have something that doesn't need so much light intensity.

i have just taken my compact tops off of my frog vivs and replaced them with banks of fluorescents.

[Waterkeeper]

I'm sure they exist..

Hagen is doing some house cleaning and re-marketing their products. That other canopy is not in their current product catalog, so if you want that one and have it available somewhere I would pounce on it. It is most likely discontinued.

Carrot: How did you setup your lighting? I am getting to the point where I am thinking about my canopy and am looking for ideas...

[captaincarot]

i currently have 2 vivs side by side.

1x 2 foot wide by 2 foot high and an 18 inch by 2 foot high.
above them i have 2 30 watt and 2 40 watt fluorescents with reflectors.

one 30 watt comes on at the back of the tank at 8 am coinciding with daytime temperrature settings on the thermostat and stays on till about 2pm then the 2 middle 40's come on at about 9am and go off at 7pm the front 30 watt comes on at 12 noon and goes off at 8pm.
which is when the thermostat turns to night time settings too.
so the day starts and ends with 1 30 watt bulb running and for a couple of hours in the middle i have all 4 of them on.

i have just placed them on the top at the mo but am designing a cabinet so i can stack 4 vivs on 2 layers which will have the same lighting set up at each level.