MH Hoods

[Arch01]

I'm finishing up the planning for my first venture into reefs (saltwater really) and I'm trying to decide what kind of lighting I want to go with. The tank will be an AGA 180RR. I plan on making it mostly SPS with a few LPS and clams. So far I've decided that I want to go with 3 250w DE lights and actinic support. I was originally thinking of just mounting some pendants into a custom enclosure, but I've recently been looking at the different hoods and fixtures that are all preassembled. I've looked at the Aquaspace lights on Champion Lighting's website and I think it looks pretty good. My only problem with it is that it uses PCs instead of VHOs. If I did it myself I would probably do VHO.

Any thoughts or experiences with MH hoods? I'm looking for other places that sell them and other manufacturers as well. Any thoughts are welcome.

Alex
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[ChrisRD]

IMO the Aquaspacelights are an excellent choice. That said, I'd plan on some additional actinic if you like that look. IMO the blue PCs that are included in the fixture don't make much of a visual difference.

Personally, I would use that hood (or something simlar like Sunlight Supply DE pendents) in combination with two full length VHO actinics.

IIRC the Aquastarlights are similar but they have a moonlight instead of the PCs. They're a bit smaller and cheaper, but use the same MH reflectors and lamps. If you're thinking of enclosing one of these units in a hood with VHO actinics, that might be another option to look at.

HTH

 

[Arch01]

Thanks for the feedback, Chris. One thing I saw somewhere was that Sunglight Supply is supposed to be coming out with a MH and T5 hood. Anyone heard about this?

Maybe I'll give them a call and find out.

Alex
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[ChrisRD]

Haven't seen that yet, but it sounds nice. T-5s would be another good option for supplemental lighting. Supposedly the lamps last a lot longer than VHO and they are more energy efficient.

A lot of people still seem to like the look of the VHO actinic over T-5 but I've personally never compared the two side-by-side.

 

[hillbilly]

I like the MH pendants best. You can adjust them easily, and heat is not really much of an issue since the fixture is not on top of the tank. Hellolights sell them.