Lights

Bull_Auger · #1 02-25-2007, 12:15 AM

Hello reefers (not the 420 kind either)

I would like to say that i have been a long time reader and my first post, the reason for this is that i need help on my lights.

I just recieve my lights, and they are the coral life Aquarium Metal Halide Lighting 72" 250

My delima is that I have acquired a newly built stand, and i need some help from experienced reefers. The situation is that my lights fit within my canopy as a extreme tight fit. Without doing serious damage or hackjob to the canopy i was wondering what modifications can i do to get a better fit.

As you see from the pictures, I'm in a tight spot.

Any input would be great

cheers

Bull_Auger

Scavenger · #2 02-25-2007, 12:34 AM

Hi Bill and welcome. Glad you posted. Unfortunately I think you won't like my answer on your question, but here it is.

If I was in your position, I would remove the canopy and either hang your light fixture from ceiling or get some "leg" attachments for it. The reason is; from what I see in your photos, you may (unless you have a great chiller) have heat issues. esp in summer. Those fans I see in the photo, won't do anything with that lid closed. Also, I personally hate a fully sealed lid for I'm a big fan of surface agitation and gas exchange. More airflow in an open top in my opinion. I've never had a carpet surfing fish yet, even the "jumpy" ones, if that is one of your concerns.

This is just my 2 cents, I'm sure others will have ideas for you as well.

Bull_Auger · #3 02-25-2007, 12:49 AM

Bill....Who's Bill

Actually what i was thinking to do was a cut 5 holes on top and 2 on each side to get some ventilation and some how have the whole light structure strapped to the hood so i can get my hands dirty when needed. As it stands now there is no way to feed or move any potential rock structures.

What about height, is there a recomended height where lights should be away from the water for maximum potential of growth.

cheers

Bull_Auger

midgetwaiter · #4 02-25-2007, 12:51 AM

If you run those lights with the lid closed you will destroy them. You could try cutting some holes above the fans but I'd still think it's risky.

Jason McK · #5 02-25-2007, 12:58 AM

I agree I would ditch the lid for sure but Ideally I would remove the entire canopy and just hang the lights

J

Scavenger · #6 02-25-2007, 01:05 AM

Sorry for the Type O Bull, damn spell check didn't catch that one.!!!? Wonder why LOL!

I don't think holes in the lid will cut it. You just don't have "ROOM" to move air around in that lid.

Der_Iron_Chef · #7 02-25-2007, 01:10 AM

How about removing the back panel (or most of it) of the canopy and putting some mini fans back there? I've seen a few people do it that way, and it seems to have worked for them.

Bull_Auger · #8 02-25-2007, 01:45 AM

Well not a big fan of hanging my lights because where i live is not the greatest rental spot, i have a false ceiling, and above that is vapour barrier, strapping, insulation, and the roof truss.

cheers

Bull

mark · #9 02-25-2007, 02:55 AM

Cut out holes on the lid that will match the vent holes on the top off the light fixture. Screw fixture directly to the lid, or what I did with my MH mini-pendant was place a stand off between the pendants and the top using phenolic strips. Cut holes on either end of your hood to again to line up with the vents on the fixture.

In the picture the red is the phenolic stock. Used it to get a thermal break and to allow some air circulation.

As for height, when building my canopy I wanted to keep it low. I contact a couple of companies for height and from Hamilton for their Reefstar pendants they recommended 8" above water, for PFO and their main-pendants they said 5 ".