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The last weekend I got a new book on the how to's to taking care of a turtle, and it got me on my feet to improve the lighting in my tank. I decided to just add in some unobstructed light from an incadescent bulb to light up the basking area. That required me to redesign the whole tank hood for this half of the tank, and right now I'm making a new one.
Moving the flourescent light forward from the center of the hood, I created a space in the back that would be big enough for the incadescent light to heat up the entire basking area, with some space left over to create some thing where I can keep the food and all.

now with the questions. I'm using acrylic to cover the flourescent light from the water below, and will be probably using glue to set it up. Which type of glue is appropriate for tank use, and non-toxic (for me and the turts)?
I also want to know if it's safe to paint something for a tank with spray paint. The two most basic questions I have so far.

What are you bonding the acrilic to? Is the hood plastic or metal? If you are using the flouresant for UVB you cannot cover it with anything, it will block the rays. Also it may not be wise to fully enclose the fixture. Is the hood vented to let the heat escape?
As far as glue, you'll need something that can take alot of heat (if it's close to the fixture) I've had fairly good results with JB Weld.
http://jbweld.net/products/jbweld.php
They've told me the stuff is aquarium safe when cured.
I wouldn't use anything thats been spray painted under the waterline.

Just out of curiosity, which book did you get?

Sorry for the late response.

The hood frame is made out of wood. I plan to put something kinda like the metal frames that hold up the plexi-covers for the flourescent ilumination in kitchens and all over houses. These metal frames are probably what I'll plan to use to hold up the acrylic. But the flourescent will not be the unobstructed light. That will be the job of the incadescent light that I plan to put in the back half, with some space left for whatever pops in my head.

Steve, the book that I got is simply called Turtles, by Hartmut Wilke.