Questions about hood and lights

[drev]

I am considering getting a 75 gallon aquarium that I would use for
tropical fish with plants. In pricing hoods and lights for such an
aquarium, they are very expensive. Is there any reason why I could
not cover the aquarium with glass and then build a light fixture on
top of that which is basically an oak case for a standard two bulb 48"
flourescent fixture?? As long as I keep it dry, a standard fixture
would work, wouldn't it?

Thanks

Mark

[SG]

In article >, drev wrote:
> In pricing hoods and lights for such an
> aquarium, they are very expensive.

Yes many people build their own as you suggest.

Have a look at the DIY forums on www.reefcentral.com

People build everything from scavenged shop lights to high end metal
halide systems. Many online shops carry retrofit and DIY light
components.