jprime84

I have a 20g tank that came with a hood and light setup. It is what appears to be the standard stype of setup with a single bulb in a lighting housing that can separate from the hood.

What I dont like about it is that it lights whats directly underneath it very well, but anything in the back of the tank is dull, and anything in the front of the tank is silhouetted by the bright light behind it?

I would like more even lighting distributed evenly throughout the tank so that you can see the fish well regardless of where they are in it. It seems like the solution would be a light source that was farther away, or not being projected through the narrow rectangle below the bulb.

What are my options?

Jaysee

The problem with hoods is that they significantly limit your lighting options. If you were to get a glass canopy, which are pretty cheap, you would have a whole lot of options. Like you said, having the light further away will more evenly distribute the light, so there are "legs" you can get that wll raise the strip light a couple of inches. Or, with a glass top, you can simply add a second strip light. That would be easiest.

I actually have one of my tanks set up so that the light is in the front of the tank leaving all kinds of dark shadows in the back of the tank. I like how the fish come from the shadows out into the light.

jprime84

How do glass tops work with HOB filters? Where can I get one?

mathas

They have a plastic strip at the rear that can be cut to fit your specific equipment, as seen here.

You can get them at Petsmart, Petco, etc., as well as dedicated fish stores or online shops.

aquarist48

Hello jPrime. The glass tops don't extend the full length of the tank (from front to back). That is why the plastic strips are needed as Mathas suggested. You can cut to fit your tanks needs. I have them and they work "great". I also have the HOB filters.
Ken

jprime84

Thanks guys! I think I like the idea of being able to look down into the tank as well without opening the hood. I will look into getting these and post pics of what I end up with.

jprime84

so I got the glass top. I like it, other than the condensation that collects on it and prevents you from really seeing down into the tank. I still want another solution for my light to be raised up from the tank somehow.