redearslider.com

I just purchased a 55gal tank that came with a hood. Are there any decent lights in particular that I can use with it or is it no good?

I'm not sure really, it would have to be over the basking area.

I got this kind of seperate hood for right around 35 bucks with the bulb already in it at the pet shop.

You can get the UVB tubes that will fit in it, but if I remember correctly, the 55 gal is 4 feet long, right? That's a long uvb, and it might cost a lot more than a compact fluorescent. The only thing is that usually the aquarium hoods that are sold with the tank have a layer of glass between the tank and the light, and uvb can't pass through. On my old tank, you could remove the piece of glass.
However, I think your best option is just to not use the hood (or at least not the light, if it's separate from the hood).
It's similar to this type of hood, right?

What I did with mine was removed the light and piece of glass under the light, and shone the uvb and heat lights onto the basking area through the gap. This way it gives you a bit of escape-proofed-ness.

It's actually split into two two-feet long hoods. If I remove the glass, would the condensation be too risky for the bulb?

Hmm, not sure about condensation. I think I've seen a couple people on here who use the tube fluorescents, so hopefully one of them can help out.

With the two, 2 foot sections, you could leave the glass on one side and just use a regular aquarium light, and remove the hood completely on the other side and use the regular basking bulbs.
My new 90 gal came with two glass lids and a 4 foot light fixture (with a light!), but it's currently just keeping my cat company on "his" bed. I've got one glass lid on one side, but the other side is open. I was going to use the second on Ralph's tank since it has the same footprint, but then I accidentally stepped on it and broke it I was so mad!

Thanks!