Best Lights for Canopy

[sailfin2]

Just finished the Canopy for the 55 gal. Now I am trying to figure out what the best lights are to use? I don't need anything as bright as MH, but also don't want anything that is going to start a fire.
I am looking at PC vs T5HO in around 260 watt.
Any suggestions on Brands, and which is better PC vs T5HO?

Matthew is working on a new type of LED lights that pulsate like waves, so I really want to get the other lights added.

Once we get it figured out. anyone have lights forsale. :)

[AndrewH]

I'm a big advocate for T5HO over PC for several reasons.

T5HO pros:
1. PC bulbs don't last as long. (10,000 hours PC vs. 30-36,000 hours of T5HO)
2. you actually get more output for equivalent PC vs. Linear tubes. The PCs being doubled over onto itself will actually be 15%+ less light than if it was straight.
3. depending on your sources, T5HO bulbs normally are cheaper to replace

PC pros:
1. the PCs will take up less room length wise, if that is an issue.
2. more color options for PCs including 2 colors in one tube.
3. normally have several different wattages available (55w, 65w, 96w, 135w bulbs).

Brands - it really comes down to the internal components used, so any of the name brand fixtures should be fine. I'm using a non-name brand T5HO fixture from eBay and I'm really happy with it.

I assume with this much lighting you plan on having a heavily planted 55?

[sailfin2]

Actually we are doing a cichlid tank, no plants. Just wanted enough light.
Is this too much?

[AndrewH]

In my opinion, yes over a 55.

Two T5HOs (108 watts) over my 33 - a short 55 - is more than enough to grow lots of plants, so 260 over a 55 would probably cause algae problems.

I'd recommend a T8 shop light @ $7-10.

Chris (XTC) has a 55 with 4 - T8 lamps for planted as a reference. I also had a single T5HO over my 55 before live plants and it was plenty of light.

HTH

[sailfin2]

Basically put a shoplight in the canopy? How about the expensive ballasts for the 48"? I have 4 sets of those her, just lying in the garage. Just put these in the canopy?
I like the idea of cheap. :hehe:
I sure don't want to deal with algae. Already had that issue in cichlid tank, and put in common Pleco, and he is a nasty big brat... chasing the peacocks, and haps around. SO off to the outdoor pond to eat his little heart out on the pond algae.

Thanks for all the help.



In my opinion, yes over a 55.

Two T5HOs (108 watts) over my 33 - a short 55 - is more than enough to grow lots of plants, so 260 over a 55 would probably cause algae problems.

I'd recommend a T8 shop light @ $7-10.

Chris (XTC) has a 55 with 4 - T8 lamps for planted as a reference. I also had a single T5HO over my 55 before live plants and it was plenty of light.

HTH

[AndrewH]

You're very welcome.

Putting ballasts and endcaps into the canopy is exactly what I did to Chris's (XTC's) 55, there should be pics of it on this site somewhere.

Simply measured out the length of the tube, mounted the endcaps, mounted the ballasts, and wired it all up. Worked like a charm and was cheap as they come.

One thing I suggested to Chris before I did it, was to paint the inside of the canopy white, as this will help kick some of the lighting into the tank (keeping the cheap theme and not spending extra money on reflectors).

Let me know if you need some help.

EDIT:
Here's the thread I was talking about.
http://www.dfwfishbox.com/forums/production/showthread.php?t=1204&page=2

[sap]

I have 4x65 Coralife PC's in my canopy on a 3 foot 58g, I only use 1 65 watt 10k bulb on this tank for 2 reasons, its bright enough and PC lights run hot I couldnt imagine 5 watts per gallon on this tank and the heat it would put off...

http://lh4.ggpht.com/sap.palmer/SE7N9fZ0NcI/AAAAAAAAAec/gTQCAVrZxbc/s800/DSCN2081.JPG (http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/wlPiRoHXb-Ty_lddP2B4mw)
http://lh6.ggpht.com/sap.palmer/SE7N-lxxOoI/AAAAAAAAAek/ArijCIfXb-U/s800/DSCN2082.JPG (http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/so803GA4pf7vhmZQ0K83xQ)

[supersmirky]

Well Sap...Looks like you have extra lights to sell :hehe:

[AndrewH]

You have 4 tubes, but only use one at a time, did I read that right?

[sap]

4 65 watt, 2 power cords I had the 10k and actinic plugged in on one cord but went ahead and disconnected the actinic because i just didnt need it...

[AndrewH]

Yeah, I bet!

That would be a perfect setup of a heavily planted tank. Cichlids on the other hand would probably go blind and need sunscreen.

[biggin]

I have a coralife on my 40g with 2x 65w and no hood, I could not imagine how hot 4 in a hood would do. They run blazing hot. The 2 on my 40g keep it a balmy 6 degrees warmer when they are on.

[sailfin2]

Thanks all for the great input. I think I would have had cooked Cichlids, as the canopy is stained dark, and don't need to burn down the house.
That would go well in my divorce......... she burnt the dang house down with the fish tank lights.... :eek:

So can I put in the 4 x 65w PC set I bought, and just turn on 2?
I bought these before I knew Matt was making a canopy, and thought it was going on legs on top. I do have 2 -55 tanks now, but only setting up the one. When do you ever use the 260w PC lights? Did I just buy a light set for monster tank? I guess I thought since it was 48" it was a 48" tank light, plus got a great price.

Boy do I feel stupid now...just remembered Matt saying 4 watts/gal
So I figured more is better..:brandy:

[biggin]

If you had 6500k bulbs they would make a killer light setup for a planted tank.

For a SW tank that would be a good light as well....

[AndrewH]

Yeah, fish only tanks don't require much lighting at all 1wpg or less.

A planted tank on the other hand would be in the 4wpg range.

[sailfin2]

Help.... I got the light set up, and need to see if it will work in a hood?
It is CF65W 12,000 Daylight x 2; CF65W Actinic x2; Blue Moon Led lights.

It has 3 switches, so I can just use each feature seperately. The fans are located on the top, so could lower it with hood? It did come with legs, but it is nice looking unit, all contained.

If I put extra fans- son has tons of computer fans, etc would it work?
Or should I do retrofit, and use this later? Crap, last time I buy anything electronic without Matt checking. Heck, I can't program dang remote- lucky I can run my computer.:eek:

I wouldn't mind this on legs, but Matt is so proud of his canopy, and my tank isn't gonna be set up for long time- until after house sold.

Andrew, Rey... Help, Please.

[sap]

i would buy a retrofit kit for a canopy.....

[AndrewH]

Using external fans (as in external to the fixture but within the canopy) should work. The idea is to get the excess heat away from the fixtures and tank because heat will build up inside the canopy and potentially hurt the fixture and/or add extra heat to the tank.

But that's still a LOT of light for your application IMHO!

[sailfin2]

So what kind of application can I use this light with? Would it work on a community tank with plants, and used on it's legs vs. no canopy?
I do have the other 55 gal that has iron stand that it would work.

Would this still be too much light? It does light up the room....