RE: Lighting upgrade

[Randy1]

I've decided to upgrade to HQI Metal Halides in my 90 Gal. My local dealer has Aquametic pendents that are designed to be hung from the ceiling. I have a nice wooden hood on my tank that I would like to keep, my dealer says these can be mounted into a hood but Aquametic says "its not recommend". I did find a retrofit available from aqua universe, any suggestion are welcomed.

http://www.aquauniverse.com/componen...hop/Itemid,31/

[charlie]

I didn't see anywhere on there as to who makes the bulbs, you may want to find that out before you do anything. Give them a call. If you are going to install them in your existing hood, do have any fans or venting for the lites?

[Randy1]

They sell replacement bulbs, does it matter who make them? What do you think about installing a pendent in a hood? Yes, I have a fan and can install a second one if needed.

[charlie]

If the manufacturer doesn't suggest putting the pendant in the hood, I wouldn't, but that's just me. Chances are it has to do with a heat issue.

I kind of like knowing what bulbs I have.

[Reefland]

KNowing what bulbs is very important. Different manufacturers of the same wattage and kelvin bulb can have dramtically different results.

On the pendent, which one ar eyou thinking about? Are you talking about one of the Aquamedic complete fixtures (like the Spacelight)? I wouldn't see why these couldn't be mounted as long as there was plenty of ventilation.

[charlie]

Scott makes a very good point about knowing what bulbs you have. It makes it easier to do the research on them.

[Randy1]

I believe it called the Ocean series pendent. Thats what I would like to use but the manufactures recommendation concerns me. My local dealer says people are mounting these in hoods, with fans of course. I'm afraid to buy the other HQI retrofit from this aqua universe without know much about them, I can't even find the brand. I don't what to buy something with poor quality and become unhappy later.

[charlie]

Have you got a link to Aquamedic's site?

[Randy1]

http://www.aqua-medic.com/products/

[charlie]

I would still try to give them a call. Those are nice looking pendants!!!! Maybe if you install a couple more fans in your hood, you could get away with putting them in there.