What lighting options are better in a hood?

[TimberTDI]

I'm helping a friend choose a 48" lighting option. The lighting will be 2 250w HQIs and some sort of supplemental lighting.

Would it be better to by a finished lighting fixture, that's plug and play or is it wiser to go with a retro system with individual compenents?

I haven't done exact calculations yet but the costs seem almost the same.

Steven

 

[DEEPWATER]

Its youre are putting inside a hood then the lumenarc is the best way to go ..if it sits on top or hanging over the canpony then a fixture is nicer looking .

 

[jackson6745]

Lumenarcs 100%

 

[cali_reef]

How tall is the existing hood?

 

[TimberTDI]

Cali,

The canopy has not been built yet. I am making the canopy and stand, I would like to make the stand 36" tall. If I do that; I would like to keep the canopy height 12" or less.

 

[loismustdie]

Luminarcs. Retro and Luminarcs w/ t-5 supplements.
My canopy was 12". Here's what i did to fit 3 luminarc minis:

 

[MightyMike]

Slighty off topic: Are you going to do anything to compensate stability for a higher center of gravity with a 36" stand?

 

[cali_reef]

I would think 15" is the minimum you need for Luminarcs, unless you rig something up so the entire pendent can be out of the way for you to work on the tank.

I personally never liked the strip fixtures, the reflector in most them sux.

 

[TimberTDI]

1. How much do you think 36" will effect the tank's stability?
2. Cali, are we talking 15" from the bottom or top of the reflectors?

Steven

 

[Wes]

1. How much do you think 36" will effect the tank's stability?

1. 
   
   i hope it's not much because im having one built right now...

 

[MightyMike]

I don't suspect that it will be much, but ... some? Is "some" enough to freak me out? Maybe, but i'm super paranoid. I also figure that some weight in the bottom of the stand from a sump etc. should bring the center of gravity a bit lower than if the stand were empty ...

 

[Wes]

I don't suspect that it will be much, but ... some? Is "some" enough to freak me out? Maybe, but i'm super paranoid. I also figure that some weight in the bottom of the stand from a sump etc. should bring the center of gravity a bit lower than if the stand were empty ...

yeah now you have me paranoid about it....But my new stand will be a heavier 2x4 frame much heavier than the cheapo AGA pine i have now...plus the sump, topoff tank, etc, i hope it will be ok lol. Hopefully someone can chime in to put my mind at ease.

I am 6'3 and sick of crouching to look in my tank lol

 

[cali_reef]

1. How much do you think 36" will effect the tank's stability?
2. Cali, are we talking 15" from the bottom or top of the reflectors?

Steven

15" from the light bulb, about 12" from the bottom edge of the Luminarcs.

A well built stand at 36" should have no stability issues at all.

 

[loismustdie]

My stand is 38 inches tall. No dimensional lumber. It's all made from 3/4" plywood. I wouldn't be worried about stability. I also don't have a sump in my stand. There is nothing down there but the controller for my Tunze, my ballasts and some supplements.

 

[smoknreefrs]

just about everyone over builds there stands anyway. you could use some of the stands i see for tank track jacks.

 

[carpediem212]

So the lights has to be 12" up from the waterline? Just want to make sure I design enough room in the hood.