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Hello guys!

I need some help with a free tank I picked up. Unfortunately, it is the self titled "turtle tanks" from petco or what have you and has the side cutout. I have done a lot of reading and i understand that it isnt ideal but i am trying to make do for the time being.

My question is in regards to the lighitng. As you can see from the pics, there is a standard canopy and there is a piece of glass between the lighting and the tank. If i am correct UVB is blocked by glass but i am fearful that if i remove the glass, then the lighting would be exposed to condensation. I would like to keep the hood if possible and just modify it. I am planning to cut out the back and add a second light for basking as well.

What are your thoughts?





Im also getting this crazy condensation on the inside. I havent setup my filter just yet and i would assume thats because the air is trapped.

no amount of condensation should effect the bulbs, but that is a crazy amount
is the water, or air really cold?

Does the condensation affect the light housing? I dont want the thing to rust up.

Over time, the condensation will affect the metal, but it could take a long time. What is the difference between the air temps (room) and the tank water? Warmer water in a trapped area will cause excessive condensation....

I used to get this on the inside of glass tanks during the winter, when I covered the tanks at night to keep in the warmth---in the morning it would be difficult to see into the tank. The temp inside the tank was much warmer than the air surrounding it, and condensation would occur.

Why do you need to cover the tank completely? If you let some air circulate into the tank (don't cover it completely with the hood), you wouldn't have all that condensation.