fitting lights into a hood question.

d_icemand · 03/12/2006, 03:32 PM

so this is gonna sound crazy but im a newb. Im gonna buy a 65 all glass rr tank, stand, and cap. I was told (and this is my question) that when buying lights, the 36"long bulbs will NOT fit into this hood. the tank dimensions are 36x18x24. but the hood will not fit 36 inch bulbs. I want to go all t5's for now. i was told that i would have to buy the next size smaller which is 24 inch bulbs and stagger them. is this info correct?

dave

artful-dodger · 03/12/2006, 03:43 PM

Every brand of light fixture (that is, enclosed & pretty) will have a slightly different width, but it may be difficult to find one that will fit inside the canopy. You'll need the actual inside width of the actual canopy to know...

You might consider using retrofit T-5 lighting that would mount to the top of the canopy. Those will fit since they are not enclosed. The reflectors with bulbs and endcaps is around 35.5".

Check with the retailer or manufacturer of the lights you intend to buy to get exact measurements...these are commonly shown on their websites. (Check out reefgeek.com for one...I'm pretty sure they show dimensions.)

d_icemand · 03/12/2006, 09:01 PM

so retrofit bulbs take less space?

artful-dodger · 03/13/2006, 10:28 AM

yes, retrofit kits use less space than full fixtures since they aren't enclosed. On the downside, though, they don't have any glass or plastic splash shields to keep water from hitting the bulbs...check the vendor websites for pictures...these are just ballast, wires, endcaps and reflectors and a couple of mounting screws.

03/12/2006, 03:32 PM	#1
d_icemand Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Godfrey, IL Posts: 848	fitting lights into a hood question. so this is gonna sound crazy but im a newb. Im gonna buy a 65 all glass rr tank, stand, and cap. I was told (and this is my question) that when buying lights, the 36"long bulbs will NOT fit into this hood. the tank dimensions are 36x18x24. but the hood will not fit 36 inch bulbs. I want to go all t5's for now. i was told that i would have to buy the next size smaller which is 24 inch bulbs and stagger them. is this info correct? dave __________________ The 1961 california ferrari 250 GT, Less than a 100 were made. My father spent years restoring.......... Current Tank Info: Oceanic Tech 120RR. ATB Flow Star 1500 return pump. ATB 840 cone skimmer. Sunblaze t5 hood.

03/12/2006, 03:43 PM	#2
artful-dodger Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Highlands Ranch, Colorado Posts: 3,011	Every brand of light fixture (that is, enclosed & pretty) will have a slightly different width, but it may be difficult to find one that will fit inside the canopy. You'll need the actual inside width of the actual canopy to know... You might consider using retrofit T-5 lighting that would mount to the top of the canopy. Those will fit since they are not enclosed. The reflectors with bulbs and endcaps is around 35.5". Check with the retailer or manufacturer of the lights you intend to buy to get exact measurements...these are commonly shown on their websites. (Check out reefgeek.com for one...I'm pretty sure they show dimensions.) __________________ "In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." -- Thomas Jefferson Current Tank Info: 140g RR Oceanic "Ultimate" mixed reef, 37g softies, 40g RBTA tank, 65g FOWLR, 40g breeder frag, and (of course) a 29g QT! ...next up is a 240g! (Gotta go to K-Mart and buy a life...)

03/12/2006, 09:01 PM	#3
d_icemand Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Godfrey, IL Posts: 848	so retrofit bulbs take less space? __________________ The 1961 california ferrari 250 GT, Less than a 100 were made. My father spent years restoring.......... Current Tank Info: Oceanic Tech 120RR. ATB Flow Star 1500 return pump. ATB 840 cone skimmer. Sunblaze t5 hood.

03/13/2006, 10:28 AM	#4
artful-dodger Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Highlands Ranch, Colorado Posts: 3,011	yes, retrofit kits use less space than full fixtures since they aren't enclosed. On the downside, though, they don't have any glass or plastic splash shields to keep water from hitting the bulbs...check the vendor websites for pictures...these are just ballast, wires, endcaps and reflectors and a couple of mounting screws. __________________ "In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." -- Thomas Jefferson Current Tank Info: 140g RR Oceanic "Ultimate" mixed reef, 37g softies, 40g RBTA tank, 65g FOWLR, 40g breeder frag, and (of course) a 29g QT! ...next up is a 240g! (Gotta go to K-Mart and buy a life...)