MH lighting

[reavely]

Some questions,
what's better, remote or built-in ballasts?
I'm looking for a space conscious canopy, 48" long, dual MH for my 75 G reef.
anyone have any comments on the following:
Reefsun
Azoo aquahalide
HQI halide & T8's
low profile reefstar
cool touch lighting
any suggestions? I have limited space above the tank (~16 to 18").
Thanks

 

[dburr]

If you have space problems you will want to use remote ballists.
I have not used any of those listed, so I can't comment.

 

[reavely]

dburr,
thanks, I thought so but oddly enough some of the "slim-line" designs have built-in ballists. the heat over the tank issue makes me wonder about the trade offs though. What do you have?
PS I'm from CT as well (Madison/Guilford), now in NC.

 

[dburr]

Hey, I was just down in High Point visting my B and S-in law.
I have your run of the mill HD outside light fixtures. The ballists are in the basement and I ran the bulbs in the canopy in the living room. You will still need a tall canopy. 12" or so. I have my sump in the basement to which helps on the heat. You will want fans anyway.
Gotta go, HTH, Dan

 

[golfish]

Ballast's are heavy and most get real hot. I like the remote ballast's because you can put em any where you want. I have mine out in the garage about 40 feet away from the tank.