Metal Halide Lighting

[cobhc]

Hey guys. I have a 29 Gallon Oceanic BioCube tank and I want to change the lighting without having to permanently remove the original top. Are there are lamps i can buy or anything I can do to have metal halide lighting? I have heard that the original biocube lighting is not strong enough for the coral. Has anybody done this on their biocube or nano cube of any kind?

 

[culp]

with most metal halide people keep it at least 7 inches off the surface of the water.

 

[cobhc]

Originally Posted by Culp
http:///forum/post/2869039
with most metal halide people keep it at least 7 inches off the surface of the water.
Oh well thanks a lot. I did not know that.

 

[mboswell1982]

the reasoning why they do that is cause your tank will stand a chance of overheating with metal halides right on the top of the tank, so you hang them about 6-8" above the tank and you run less chance of overheating, but, most people who do mod the lights on a cube like that, go open top totally

 

[rotarymagic]

you could retrofit a MH into the stock hood, but you'd definitely need to run a chiller.

 

[cobhc]

Do you guys have any suggestion as to what I can use for metal halide? Are there any made for the biocube?

 

[mboswell1982]

aye, they make pendant fixtures that you mount on an arm over the tank, hangs the light 6-8" off of the top of the tank, its perfect
Outer Orbit Pendant 150W HQI 10,000K (1050)
By Current USA
Price: $239.33Additional Charges: + $8.95 ( Additional Charge. Fragile: Special Handling)
Status: In Stock
Type: Life Support
Model #: 1050
Item #: CU01050
Id: 504057
Current USA Outer Orbit Pendant 150W HQI.
Outer Orbit Pendant integrates LED lunar light with 150 watt HQI double ended bulb in a convenient easy-to-hang pendant fixture. 9-1/2" x 7".
The Outer Orbit Pendant includes a single 10,000K HQI lamp, internal reflector, retractable hanging bracket, 16 ft. lamp cord and remote electronic ballast assembly with quick disconnect. It also features Moon White Lunar Lights along the rim.
here it is right here, that should be perfect for you

 

[slider101]

What about Power Compact fixtures? How far should they be off the top of an open tank?

 

[culp]

CF fixtures you can just have sitting on top of the tank. they don't give up any where as much heat as metal halide. you can also do the same with T5 fixtures.