wiring 6 or 8 lights for my 90g

[zero26]

I have a 90 and looking at building a canopy, anybody have any pics or explain how they wired 6 or 8 bulbs in a canopy? Thanks!

 

[scsinet]

Are you planning on using a retro kit or building the system from scratch yourself?
What kind of lamps are you planning to use?
Any thoughts on ballasts?

 

[zero26]

Well really I am not sure, I guess the easier would be retro kits, right? I want to use T5, cheaper on the electric bill, as for ballast's I dont know.

 

[scsinet]

Well a retro kit will have everything you need... lampholders, wiring, ballasts, reflectors, etc, as well as instructions on how to put it all together.
So if you want to go the retro kit, you're all set.

 

[zero26]

do u think I can fit 8 bulbs in my canopy it's 48"x18 1/2?

 

[scsinet]

T5 lamps with individual reflectors... maybe... that's really tight though... 18 inches only leaves a tad over 2 inches for each lamp... not much room.

 

[zero26]

do you think that 6 bulbs would be ok, I would like to stay away from MH. At the same time I want to not be held down on what I can have in my tank.

 

[scsinet]

The problem is that the tanks that are only 18" front to back make it difficult to pack enough T5 lighting over them to support the really high light stuff.
You'd probably be okay with anything except anemones. Most high light stuff like clams, stonies, etc you can put near the top, but anemones can move further down where the lighting isn't sufficient, so it may be an issue with them.

 

[zero26]

Yes 18" is not much, I looked at a tek 8 bulb fixture and it was 19" wide. Wider than the tank, so do you think it would be in my best interests to go MH. I wanted to stay away from the MH due to the electric bill. But if the T5 limit me, then I may go the MH route. What in your opinion is the best setup for me? A combo of MH and T5's?

 

[scsinet]

T5 and Halide offer similar efficiency. It is close enough that the ballast itself can often tip the scales in either direction. A good electronic halide ballast would result in a more efficient system than a crappy T5 ballast and vice versa, assuming equal lamp wattage.
So if you were planning on going with (8) 54w T5 lamps, or 432 watts, then use (2) 175w or (2) 250w halides.
Assuming ballast efficiency to be identical, a 10 hour lighting cycle, and 0.10/Kwh, the difference between T5 and 250w halides would amount to $25 per year. Not much.
Combo setups are only for those who want to run supplemental actinics. I used to do that, but personally I went away from it in favor of 20K halides with no supplement. It's all in what looks good for you.
On a side note... isn't the 90g 24" front to back?

 

[scsinet]

Nope my bad... 24" top to bottom...

 

[zero26]

I have seen alot of people that run t5 actinic and it looks good. I kinda like the blueish look with the corals and fish. Whats a good halide brand? Sunlight Supply?

 

[zero26]

Also I have to buy the reflector like a reef optix and then a ballast right?
For instance, for 2 175w halides, I need 2 ballasts?
I found this fixture 48 inch Current USA Nova Extreme 8x54W T5HO with 4 Lunar Lights, its only 14" wide, if I got the hanging kit I could hang it above the tank, but I wonder about ventilation, those are not made for inside a canopy right?

 

[fanker]

if u get the icecap retro u will only need 6 bulbs. they will be over driven. thats what i have its the aquatinics solar flare but its 6 bulb with a 660 for 4 and a 430 for 2, i keep sps in the sand bed

 

[fanker]

Originally Posted by zero26
http:///forum/post/3050054
Also I have to buy the reflector like a reef optix and then a ballast right?
For instance, for 2 175w halides, I need 2 ballasts?
I found this fixture 48 inch Current USA Nova Extreme 8x54W T5HO with 4 Lunar Lights, its only 14" wide, if I got the hanging kit I could hang it above the tank, but I wonder about ventilation, those are not made for inside a canopy right?
nova extreme doesnt have individual reflectors. the pro does

 

[zero26]

Do you know how wide the icecap reflector is? If I only need 6, to fit into my 18 inch canopy they would have to be 3" and under.
Found out from icecap that there reflectors are 2.5 inches wide. Could I just get a 48" 4 lamp kit with a 660 and a 48" 2 lamp kit with another 660? Thanks

 

[fanker]

i would just go with the 430 for 2 i mean its already gunna be over driven i think with a 660 on 2 will just blow it up. the 430 will be plenty

 

[zero26]

I cant find a package with a 430, the only thing I can find with 2 lamps is a retro kit with a 660.

 

[fanker]

ur right. hm. wow icecap is expencive. why dont u but a fixture?