Lighting in Oak Canopy

lossman · #1 03/18/2007, 07:38 AM

I posted this in the Lighting... forum, but thought this might be a good place to croos-post for anyone who didn't see it.

Does anyone have metal halides or T%s in an oak canopy? Our oak canopy is 72" wide, 15" high and 18" deep. We are considering multiple 250-400 watt MHs or all T5s in our canopy.

What setup do use for lighting?

- Canopy size
- Openings (ours is open in the back, with front doors)
- Canopy size
- MH height off water
- T5 height off water
- Halide type(s)
- Other lighting
- Water heat precautions (cooling)
- Canopy fire precautions (cooling, treatments)

Pictures would be awesome. Be a specific as you can.

Thanks

Phyxius · #2 03/18/2007, 07:52 AM

I have MHs and VHO supplement in a Oak canopy. Its 48" but will give an idea

48"w x 19"d x 16"h
Doors in front- also open in back
MH`s 10" off water
VHOs about 10" off water
Dual 250watt MHs
Dual fans on ends blowing cool air in
Mounted wood spacers to keep lights off the wood on top and create air space.
Wiring all wrapped in wire loom
Large full size reflector for VHOs and 2 MH reflectors. With T5 you could just use single T5 reflectors for each bulb

For a 72" canopy it would be just 24" more of width to add in so concept the same.

Lid open:

Side fan shot:

lossman · #3 03/18/2007, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Phyxius
I have MHs and VHO supplement in a Oak canopy. Its 48" but will give an idea

What's that board across the bottom of the canopy? Looks like it would get in the way of the light. Is this a do-it-yourself lighting project?

Phyxius · #4 03/18/2007, 08:09 AM

lossman,
The board usually is not there but I had to move it to take the pictures. Its an LED moonlight bar I made. Its usually all the way to the front of the tank edge and blocks no light when there. It sits on 2 very small 45 degree wedges on the sides so it directs the light back into all of the tank. Its only 1 3/4" wide
Now if I could get rid of the tank brace in the middle I would be happy

lossman · #5 03/18/2007, 01:28 PM

Was this a kit you bought with instructions or is it your own design? It seems simple enough, visually, but I'm the kind of person who likes instructions. Our first lightin was DIY. It is functional, but clunky. Would like to do better.

Quote:

Originally posted by Phyxius
lossman,
The board usually is not there but I had to move it to take the pictures. Its an LED moonlight bar I made. Its usually all the way to the front of the tank edge and blocks no light when there. It sits on 2 very small 45 degree wedges on the sides so it directs the light back into all of the tank. Its only 1 3/4" wide
Now if I could get rid of the tank brace in the middle I would be happy

rnhrtfan · #6 03/18/2007, 01:53 PM

Phyxius that is a nice hood. Question for you though. I work in the contruction industry and have access to MH fixtures that are used as temporary fixtures during construction. Have any of you seen or maybe used these fixtures in hoods before? Aside from the light spectrum (which can be changed by purchasing a different bulb) I don't know of that much of a difference.

Icefire · #7 03/18/2007, 02:21 PM

What do you want as corals?
Size of tank?

Phyxius · #8 03/18/2007, 03:22 PM

lossman,
Its a DIY thing I did and made them for all my tanks. Just used some oak pieces, LEDs, resistors and a power supply and wired it all up and then sealed it all up. Pretty easy to do but time consuming soldering all the resistors to LEDs and then to small power wire. Works great though.
Pic makes it look like its bowing in the middle but its a visual thing. Its as straight as the day I made it.

rnhrtfan,
Thanks. Don`t know the answer about the lights you asked about though.

lossman · #9 03/18/2007, 04:30 PM

We already have a mix of inverts including:
Euphyllia
Tubastrea
Symphyllia
Montipora
Discosoma
Ricordea florida
Briareum
Protopalythoa
Teichaxinella
Condylactis gigantea

and fish
Indigo Hamlet
Harlequin Bass
Yellowhead Wrasse
Foxface Butterfly
Falco's`Hawkfish
Gold-Banded Maroon Clownfish
Molly Miller Blennie

We are researching many possible corals mainly liking moderate to strong light. Our tank dimensions are 72"W, 28"H, 18"D (150 gal).

Quote:

Originally posted by Icefire
What do you want as corals?
Size of tank?

lossman · #10 03/18/2007, 04:32 PM

Simple to you hahahahahaha
No way I'd mess with that without direction.

Quote:

Originally posted by Phyxius
lossman,
Its a DIY thing I did and made them for all my tanks. Just used some oak pieces, LEDs, resistors and a power supply and wired it all up and then sealed it all up. Pretty easy to do but time consuming soldering all the resistors to LEDs and then to small power wire. Works great though.
Pic makes it look like its bowing in the middle but its a visual thing. Its as straight as the day I made it.

rnhrtfan,
Thanks. Don`t know the answer about the lights you asked about though.

lossman · #11 03/25/2007, 07:00 AM

Did you paint the inside of your canopy? If so, what did you use and how? Our is black. Want to lighten it up?

Quote:

Originally posted by Phyxius
I have MHs and VHO supplement in a Oak canopy. Its 48" but will give an idea

48"w x 19"d x 16"h
Doors in front- also open in back
MH`s 10" off water
VHOs about 10" off water
Dual 250watt MHs
Dual fans on ends blowing cool air in
Mounted wood spacers to keep lights off the wood on top and create air space.
Wiring all wrapped in wire loom
Large full size reflector for VHOs and 2 MH reflectors. With T5 you could just use single T5 reflectors for each bulb

For a 72" canopy it would be just 24" more of width to add in so concept the same.

Lid open:

Side fan shot: