halide t5 setup in canopy

[tsdid]

I am in the process of setting up a 180 tank, I want to do 250w metal halide and t5 for lighting, my question is. I want to have the mh's of the tank at least 9" so the water doesnt get to hot. I think that will be pleny to get to the bottom of the tank. My plan for the halides are to have them on for a few hours of strong lighting for things that need it and the look. I will have 10k and actinic t5's to suppliment when the halides are off. my question is if I have the metal halides off the water 9-12" where do I put the t5's they would be blocking some of the light from the halides, and t5's would loose allot of their effectiveness up that high correct?

 

[bmkj02]

Good question. I wanna know too. I built my canopy 12" high for MH but am now looking into going with t5HO due to cost of running and cost of bulbs. replacing the bulbs every 1 1/2 to 2 years is better than spending $60 every 6 months on each MH bulb. But I might go your way as well with both.

 

[veni vidi vici]

Put the 3 Halides down the center and the 36" T-5's on the front and back perimeter of canopy.I'm assuming your tank is 24" deep so you should have plenty of room.

 

[tsdid]

That would be the plan but if I have halides up 12 inchs and my t5's off the water about 5 or 6, the t5's would have to be at the very front and back of the tank, which seems to me would not look very good and would also be hard to get into the tank with them that close to the front edge. Yes it is 24 deep and high

 

[veni vidi vici]

Put them up top with the Halides if your only using them for looks.They will be fine up there.Or you can build yourself a light rack for all your lights.

 

[tsdid]

I want the t5's to be effective, I plan on only having the halides on for a few hours a day, and the t5's would do the rest. How would a light rack help?

 

[veni vidi vici]

Originally Posted by tsdid
http:///forum/post/2900824
I want the t5's to be effective, I plan on only having the halides on for a few hours a day, and the t5's would do the rest. How would a light rack help?
You could mount all your lights on the rack and adjust the height as needed.I built mine out of aluminum angle and drawer rails.It works like a charm and i can slide it out of the way to access my tank.