building a canopy, this is what I plan to do

young one son · 07/15/2011, 10:42 PM

Ive had a 125 setup for about 2 weeks now, been buyin things and building things as i can. im building a canopy and here is what im wanting to put in it. 72"x2vho actanic (one actanic one super actanic) 36"x4vho grow on half the tank and 250x2mh 14k bulbs on the other side. this way I can keep my hard corals on one side for plenty of light and my softys and lps on the other. what u think?

gatorrx98 · 07/16/2011, 07:08 AM

You may have a hard time getting 2 MH reflectors in just 36" of space, unless you are using spider reflectors. Why not just add 3 MH's across the lenght of the tank? The 2 72" VHO's should add plenty of supplemental lighting. I just replaced my 3 250 MH's with Lumenbright mini reflectors and 2 72"VHO's with 3 AI's. My tank did great with the 3 250's and VHO's. THis way you'd have more flexibility when placing corals. Lastly, give yourself plenty of ventilation or height to keep from heating up your tank. My canopy is 20" tall. I will probably build a slightly shorter one on my 320 setup due to the switch to LED's.
Good luck. Be sure to post some pics when you get it done.

moondoggy4 · 07/16/2011, 11:55 AM

I hope you do not live in California, because the power companies will love you I am about 29 cents a KW.

young one son · 07/16/2011, 02:36 PM

yeah i went ahead and made it with 3 250w mh across. so will the softies be ok under halides? Yeah man the electric is high in cali due to all the dope growers. lol

07/15/2011, 10:42 PM	#1
young one son Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 8	building a canopy, this is what I plan to do Ive had a 125 setup for about 2 weeks now, been buyin things and building things as i can. im building a canopy and here is what im wanting to put in it. 72"x2vho actanic (one actanic one super actanic) 36"x4vho grow on half the tank and 250x2mh 14k bulbs on the other side. this way I can keep my hard corals on one side for plenty of light and my softys and lps on the other. what u think?

07/16/2011, 07:08 AM	#2
gatorrx98 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Jacksonville Posts: 186	You may have a hard time getting 2 MH reflectors in just 36" of space, unless you are using spider reflectors. Why not just add 3 MH's across the lenght of the tank? The 2 72" VHO's should add plenty of supplemental lighting. I just replaced my 3 250 MH's with Lumenbright mini reflectors and 2 72"VHO's with 3 AI's. My tank did great with the 3 250's and VHO's. THis way you'd have more flexibility when placing corals. Lastly, give yourself plenty of ventilation or height to keep from heating up your tank. My canopy is 20" tall. I will probably build a slightly shorter one on my 320 setup due to the switch to LED's. Good luck. Be sure to post some pics when you get it done. __________________ 320 96x32x24h Reef Savvy build in progress; Apex Controlled; AI Sol Blues Lit; Current Tank Info: 320 Gallon Reef Savvy Low Iron Reef; (9)AI Sol Blues; Vortec (2)MP60wES (2)MP40wES; Apex Controlled

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07/16/2011, 11:55 AM	#3
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	I hope you do not live in California, because the power companies will love you I am about 29 cents a KW.

07/16/2011, 02:36 PM	#4
young one son Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 8	yeah i went ahead and made it with 3 250w mh across. so will the softies be ok under halides? Yeah man the electric is high in cali due to all the dope growers. lol