Advice on in canopy setup of ATI 6x54W Dimmable Sunpower

gahboo · 06/28/2013, 12:10 PM

Hi. I am a NooB returning to the hobby after 20 years away. I would like some comments on some specific things about this fixture. I have researched enough to know that I definitely want this light, so hopefully these questions are specific enough that I won't be chastised for not doing my research!

1.) I am planning to mount this inside a custom built closed canopy that has cutouts in the top for exhaust fans of the fixture to breathe. I will also have the back opened up for better circulation of air. I have no way to get power to the unit by hanging it without having this hideous cord hanging down and ruining the look of the thing. Also, I think the aluminum is just plain ugly. Is this canopy thing an OK idea? Since the ballasts are in the fixture, I don't know anything about how much heat they might generate in an enclosed canopy or how well the cooling fans would work since they wouldn't be exposed directly to "outside air." I live in a quite hot environment and am worried about heat and I definitely don't have room or budget for a chiller.

2.) I was planning on mounting the fixture inside the hood by placing wooden rails on the ends of the canopy and letting the fixture slide back and forth on the rails to allow maintenance access. Question is how high above the water should I mount the fixture? How much space should there be between top of light and top of canopy? I was thinking mount the light 3" above the water and make the canopy tall enough to give 2" of space above the fixture. Does this sound OK?

3.) I also own an EcoXotic 40" LED strip with mix of 12K and 445nm blue. Their website says that this adds "shimmer" to the water. Ultimately, I want this to evolve into a full reef with SPS and other corals. A major reason I want to go with the ATI is because its Dimmable function simplifies my controls setup. Is it worth the hassle to try to use this thing in the lighting setup or should I just ditch it?

Advice on any other things regarding this installation that I might have missed would be most welcome.

Thank you very much.

SeedlessOne · 06/28/2013, 01:48 PM

You will still need fans to bring in fresh cool air. I'm running the exact setup to the T. I tried vents on top and open back only to find an extremely hot ATI fixture. Added two 120mm fans to the canopy and the problem has been resolved.

I run the light 7inch from my actual water level.

06/28/2013, 12:10 PM	#1
gahboo Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 3	Advice on in canopy setup of ATI 6x54W Dimmable Sunpower Hi. I am a NooB returning to the hobby after 20 years away. I would like some comments on some specific things about this fixture. I have researched enough to know that I definitely want this light, so hopefully these questions are specific enough that I won't be chastised for not doing my research! 1.) I am planning to mount this inside a custom built closed canopy that has cutouts in the top for exhaust fans of the fixture to breathe. I will also have the back opened up for better circulation of air. I have no way to get power to the unit by hanging it without having this hideous cord hanging down and ruining the look of the thing. Also, I think the aluminum is just plain ugly. Is this canopy thing an OK idea? Since the ballasts are in the fixture, I don't know anything about how much heat they might generate in an enclosed canopy or how well the cooling fans would work since they wouldn't be exposed directly to "outside air." I live in a quite hot environment and am worried about heat and I definitely don't have room or budget for a chiller. 2.) I was planning on mounting the fixture inside the hood by placing wooden rails on the ends of the canopy and letting the fixture slide back and forth on the rails to allow maintenance access. Question is how high above the water should I mount the fixture? How much space should there be between top of light and top of canopy? I was thinking mount the light 3" above the water and make the canopy tall enough to give 2" of space above the fixture. Does this sound OK? 3.) I also own an EcoXotic 40" LED strip with mix of 12K and 445nm blue. Their website says that this adds "shimmer" to the water. Ultimately, I want this to evolve into a full reef with SPS and other corals. A major reason I want to go with the ATI is because its Dimmable function simplifies my controls setup. Is it worth the hassle to try to use this thing in the lighting setup or should I just ditch it? Advice on any other things regarding this installation that I might have missed would be most welcome. Thank you very much.

06/28/2013, 01:48 PM	#2
SeedlessOne Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Pooler, GA Posts: 887	You will still need fans to bring in fresh cool air. I'm running the exact setup to the T. I tried vents on top and open back only to find an extremely hot ATI fixture. Added two 120mm fans to the canopy and the problem has been resolved. I run the light 7inch from my actual water level.