[tsquad]

as usual, tsquad is confused.. my question this time is this: i have been looking for semi-cheap lights that are quality to keep say soft corals and mushrooms (stuff that doesnt need tons) of lighting. i found this 4x96watt kit at www.ahsupply.com, but then realized it is a retro kit and that always confused me too. so i kept looking around the site, and i found the finished enclosure section. i got really excited and thought to myself, maybe this could actually be understandable! wrong. the 48" hood which i would need, says it can only take 220watts in it. anyone with basic math skills knows that 4x96 is much more than 220watts. so what should i do? wing it and put those lights in the hood? make my own hood and stuff (how do i do that?)? Any help would be appreciated...i know im kinda annoying with all my questions and stuff, im just trying to make this as nice as possible.

[tsquad]

Cmonnnnnn People Im Not Afraid Of Responses!!! Lol!! Please?? :d

[dougc]

I don't think the enclosure limits the wattage per se. They suggest 4x55 watt bulbs, which will fill the enclosure. You couldn't physically fit more than 2 96 watt bulbs in the box.

I have one of their enclosures over my sump and they are nicely built. It does not come with any splash shield, which I needed to keep the spray from bubbles off the reflectors. I like the AH Supply kits, but I have realized that by the time you get done buying all the parts, you can pretty much buy a prebuilt PC lighting setup for not much more money. The AH Supply kits make more sense if you really need a "retro" setup. If you build your own hood, then you can control the configuration of the lights and cram in whatever will fit over the tank.

I think there are instructions on the AH Supply site for building your own enclosure. Search around the various BBS sites and you will find other instructions and ideas for building a hood. That's the way most reefers end up going. I don't know if it really saves money, but you get a workable solution. The key is access (for hands), ventilation, and appearance.

If you have a tank with standard dimensions, take a look at the AGA canopies. They aren't tall enough for metal halide lighting, but there is plenty of room for PC or VHO lights. My canopy is a knockoff of an AGA design. I just studied the canopies at the store and borrowed design elements from the stand. I built it taller to accomodate the HQI pendants. You can see it here.

[saltjunkie]

build a hood.. and buy the kit.... i have purchased from them before, and if need be i will again...
what size tank are you doing?
near 400 watts of light is a pretty fair amount...

[tsquad]

i am going to do a 55 gallon...i think i may have a new plan though : if i buy 2 1x96 w kits, and a metal halide retro and build my own hood with my dad, it should prove to be cheaper, and have nicer lighting. do u think so?

[saltjunkie]

metal halide will in my opinion always be better.. and it will keep you from being limited....
2x175 and 2x96 will be an awsome light set up for a 55 gallon!
if you go with a 2x250 and the 2x96...... look out clams and sps.. buy fans! lol

[tsquad]

yea thats what i was striving for, no limitations, so once i get rich, i can buy clams and such lol. if i got 1x175 and 2x96 would it look too unbalanced with the halide on one side? i have a center brace and that would get in the way of the lights, so maybe i will get 2x175. i shall check prices. peace out for now.

[saltjunkie]

yes it will look lopsided.... Mh only have a true effective area of 2x2 depending on height.. but you dont want it up too high, or down too low...
you will be real happy if you buy all the lights right the first time.. you wont waste money buying this, buying that adding this etc..
you are better holding off on the 2x96 and getting the mh first and getting say a smaller cheaper 2 x55... or you could actually run 2 normal output 4' actinics over the tank.. that would be decent too..
or one 4' vho(or two )....which is 110 watts each

[tsquad]

i have decided to go all out, seeing as i will undoubtedly desiring to upgrade what i want to keep in the tank (more light demanding things). i have decided to get the 48" Custom MH/VHO Retrokit at www.hellolights.com . the prices are acceptable, and i will never have to upgrade. It will be 2x 175 MH and 2x 110w VHO, which comes to 520total watts, almost 10w /gallon! so i believe i am set. thank you for your help.