Halide retro and no canopy

UWUALineman · 01/02/2010, 06:23 PM

Does anyone have a halide system with T5 or VHO supplements that is hanging over the tank and is not an in wall setup. I am in the process of trying out Halides and I would like to put 2 250W pendants with at least 2 if not 4 VHO or T5 48'' bulbs over my standard 120. I could easily fabricate a system which sits on the rim of the tank but it wouldn't look as sleek and modern. Custom light rack from ceiling? some type of system on the wall? I have a canopy which has fans and was built to the tank for this purpose, but its just too big and hoaky lookin. Some ideas and help would be appreciated.

tgray3 · 01/02/2010, 06:36 PM

I was looking at doing the same thing last year. I decided not to and wait for a good deal on what i really wanted. It took about 8 months but i finally found a fixture that looks nice by itself or in canopy for cheap. If i compromise i usually end up spending more money than if i wait until i find exactly what. Just my 2 cents.

UWUALineman · 01/02/2010, 06:47 PM

What did you end up with. I haven't seen a fixture that I particularly care for. And, without spending over a 1,000.Wouldn't mind overdiving to 85 watts on IC ballasts the supplemental to enhance color and growth on the clams and SPS.

tgray3 · 01/02/2010, 07:03 PM

I got a Aquaspacelight 2x250 from a guy getting out of the hobby on Craigslist for $150. One of the best deals i've been able to find. But it did take 8 months to find.

Looks like this:
http://www.aquatic-store.com/contents/en-us/d577.html

UWUALineman · 01/03/2010, 11:35 AM

As long as it does what you want. I am running a junk odyssea just to check it out and my coral is already showing a lot of white tips with new growth. Very happy even though the tank looks like crap.
Anyone?

rbnice1 · 01/03/2010, 12:39 PM

What about making a raised canopy? Basically a box that holds all your lights that is suspended from the ceiling 12-24 inches above your tank. You can make it cheaply out of thin wood or out of aluminum.

UWUALineman · 01/03/2010, 01:00 PM

I have tossed this around. I have not yet checked how the rafters are running through the attic yet and if I would have to do work up there and do something above the tank. . My idea is to builda rack out of aluminum (too bad I do not TIG) to hold 2 pendants and attach 2 46in VHO's and then possibly skin in it something to try to conceal it as you mentioned. I wouldn't mind seeing somebody who has done such with their setup.

01/02/2010, 06:23 PM	#1
UWUALineman Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 704	Halide retro and no canopy Does anyone have a halide system with T5 or VHO supplements that is hanging over the tank and is not an in wall setup. I am in the process of trying out Halides and I would like to put 2 250W pendants with at least 2 if not 4 VHO or T5 48'' bulbs over my standard 120. I could easily fabricate a system which sits on the rim of the tank but it wouldn't look as sleek and modern. Custom light rack from ceiling? some type of system on the wall? I have a canopy which has fans and was built to the tank for this purpose, but its just too big and hoaky lookin. Some ideas and help would be appreciated.

01/02/2010, 06:36 PM	#2
tgray3 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Georgia Posts: 258	I was looking at doing the same thing last year. I decided not to and wait for a good deal on what i really wanted. It took about 8 months but i finally found a fixture that looks nice by itself or in canopy for cheap. If i compromise i usually end up spending more money than if i wait until i find exactly what. Just my 2 cents.

01/02/2010, 06:47 PM	#3
UWUALineman Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 704	What did you end up with. I haven't seen a fixture that I particularly care for. And, without spending over a 1,000.Wouldn't mind overdiving to 85 watts on IC ballasts the supplemental to enhance color and growth on the clams and SPS.

01/02/2010, 07:03 PM	#4
tgray3 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Georgia Posts: 258	I got a Aquaspacelight 2x250 from a guy getting out of the hobby on Craigslist for $150. One of the best deals i've been able to find. But it did take 8 months to find. Looks like this: http://www.aquatic-store.com/contents/en-us/d577.html

01/03/2010, 11:35 AM	#5
UWUALineman Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 704	As long as it does what you want. I am running a junk odyssea just to check it out and my coral is already showing a lot of white tips with new growth. Very happy even though the tank looks like crap. Anyone?

01/03/2010, 12:39 PM	#6
rbnice1 Moved On Join Date: May 2008 Location: Cedar Hill Posts: 3,905	What about making a raised canopy? Basically a box that holds all your lights that is suspended from the ceiling 12-24 inches above your tank. You can make it cheaply out of thin wood or out of aluminum.

01/03/2010, 01:00 PM	#7
UWUALineman Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 704	I have tossed this around. I have not yet checked how the rafters are running through the attic yet and if I would have to do work up there and do something above the tank. . My idea is to builda rack out of aluminum (too bad I do not TIG) to hold 2 pendants and attach 2 46in VHO's and then possibly skin in it something to try to conceal it as you mentioned. I wouldn't mind seeing somebody who has done such with their setup.