Frustrating flourescent bulbs.

[Trout]

GRRR!!! I just bought a 10-watt flourescent bulb to use in my 5 gallon hex tank, and the hood says to use 15-watt maximum wattage! The bulb itself says to replace yearly, but it Just burnt out after probably less than a month of use!!! I had another flourescent bulb that did something similar but it was after about 3 months that it burnt out. What can I do!? I don't like using Incandescent bulbs because they don't show off the fish as nicely, and I've got live plants as well. Is there any place I can get a flourescent bulb that will last as long as it's supposed to? Or should I just build a hood and use LEDs (I don't think they sell LED hoods for hex-tanks)?

I turn the bulb on in the morning shortly before noon, and then off again in the evening. Should I just leave flourescents on forever?

[lohachata]

the problem may well be in the hood.....if you had 2 different bulbs burn out like that i would suggest you contact the hood manufacturer...ask for a replacement..tell them that you don't need to have your house burned down..

[Trout]

I've finally decided I'm just gonna go ahead and turn my existing hood into an LED hood. The only real problem is gonna be getting all the little parts I need to convert 120VAC 60Hz to a DC voltage that will support long life to the little LEDs AND give my plants decent light. This is gonna be an interesting process. Anyone else done this sort of a thing before? I could use a little help instruction. I know I need 4 diodes, a transformer, a capacitor, and a regulator, but... what do I do when I've got them?