lighting opinions

adam & jeanne

adam & jeanne

Member
Hows this sound? I have a 55 gal reef right now with 2x65w pcs (10000k). I am thinking about doing a DIY canopy to house the pcs and ID also like to add a 250w metal halide. Any suggestions for the type of bulbs? im thinking putting actinic in the pcs and 12000k in the MH. Im curious about the 12000K though. Anybody dealt with it before? Would it be ok to supplement the actinics?
 
q

q

Member
Go with the 10K ushio/hamilton and then supliment in the actnic. The 12K gets slamed alot for color shifts so I would stear away from them. If you don't care about the blue appearence then a 6.5K would also be a good bulb.
 
efrank

efrank

Member
Out of curiousity do you have a wooden hood over your 55g? If so how will you fit anything in there besides the PC ballast? I have the same set up with PC and would like more light but don't know how I can fit anything else under the hood.
 
nm reef

nm reef

Active Member
Efrank....it can be done. I have a custom built oak canopy that has 4x65 watts of pc and 2x110 watts of vho. This is on a 55 system. Plus I may add additional vho's in the near future....that is if I don't dis-assemble this system and develope a 110-220 gal reef!!!! My ballasts are attached to the outside rear of the canopy and the lights are installed inside......... :cool:
 
efrank

efrank

Member
That would be great but I have a wood canopy that was made to go along with the stand and I don't have too much flex. As I said I have two 65w PC Smartlights with the standard black ballast. Would it be possible just to put an end cap on either side and have one long VHO along side of the PC?(That's all I have room for) If so what can I use as the reflector to make sure I max. the light that goes to the tank?
 
blondenaso1

blondenaso1

Member
I have a question related to this. IF he goes with 2 250watt will he need a chiller. From everyones experience when is the point when fans aren't enough and a chiller is required. I am thinking of upgrading mine to a 175 MH with VHOs.
 
jakepilot

jakepilot

Member
keep in mind that setup will generate a TON of heat..make sure when you build your canopy you plan ahead and make room for fans..--jake
 
richard rendos

richard rendos

Active Member
Question: Does your 55 have a center brace?
If so, where are you going to place the bulb? If it is in the middle, you will see a BIG shadow cast from the center brace. If it is on one end then the tank may look awkward. Just something to think about.
Also, the need for a chiller would depend on what the ambient temperature in the room is, how close the lights are to the water surface, if there is a fan mounted inside canopy, etc. You would just have to install the light and keep an eye on your temp. for a while.
 
efrank

efrank

Member
It does have a center brace but the PCs I have now don't cast a shadow. You have me wondering why they don't though.
I am assuming VHOs run hot? The PCs don't really. I definatly don't have room for fans and I don't want to buy a chiller so I am not sure what I should do.
 
deucey

deucey

Member
well i must say that Richard is right about the brace thing....he has seen my tank....and i have a shadow its not a 55 but it is a 36g bow....the MH right in the center....it casts a big shadow....even with just my PC........here is my site check it out.....
<a href="http://www.geocities.com/reefguy79/reefguysmicroreef" target="_blank">My Site.....</a>
 
adam & jeanne

adam & jeanne

Member
sorry its taken me so long to reply.
I am only going with 1 250 MH, not 2. And second Im not sure Im gonna do that because of the brace thing. I dont think I want to deal with that. So it looks like Im gonna try to scout out some more ideas, maybe look at some VHO lighting or something. No I have not built my canopy yet, Im looking to see what kind of lighting I can manage to get in there first.
Thanks for the help guys!!
 
ren

ren

Member
Thats the point I meant sorry. The top icecap is under 200. You can do way better try hellolights they have fairly cheap VHO setups or Hamilton -
<a href="http://www.hamiltontechnology.com/" target="_blank">http://www.hamiltontechnology.com/</a>
You should be able to fine a 2 bulb 220W VHO setup at these 2 places for around 120 or so.
 
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