whats good lighting under a canopy ?

[charles6299]

i am looking at the 72" outer orbit metal halide, PC, and lunar model.......my canopy is only 10" high.....if i install fans, will it keep it cool enough ? if you don't think this is good lighting, then what would you suggest ?
Keep in mind, i am looking for the complete package....

[BubbaWPB]

The Orbit series are really made to work without a canopy. In order to get a Orbit model to fit under a canopy, you have to get a smaller size light. It also sorta defeats the fans on the Orbit since it will be enclosed in a canopy. I had an Orbit Extreme, but upgraded to metal halides. The Orbit was great, but I wanted more light.

I'd suggest either do the Orbit and skip the canopy, or get a retrofit kit for your canopy, one or the other, it's your choice... but that's just one opinion.

[charles6299]

is there any retro kits that are the complete package ? thanks for the reply back..................

[charlie]

I'm with Bubba on this one, but then again, I am not a big fan of canopies.
Retro kits are nice, but you usually have to buy them piece by piece. How wide is your tank? I know that PFO makes some really nice reflectors that are at a good price.

[showfish]

The only way to put the Orbit in a canopy is to modify the canopy. I have a 60" Orbit on my 120 gal FOWLR, and I built the canopy specifically to fit the Orbit fixture. There are vents cut out on each side of the canopy for ventilation. If you do not want to modify/build custom canopy, you would be better off with a retro kit.

[charles6299]

are you happy with the results from the orbit ?...i found a Coral life Aqualight Pro thats only 2.75" high that would fit great underneath....yes, i can modify my canopy if i have to....i will do what ever it takes .....i just want the results and to have the whole set up look nice as well !

[BubbaWPB]

Coralife makes some nice retro kits that include MH and PC actinics all in one unit.

[charles6299]

thanks for the help guys.....i talked to a representative from coral life....the aqualight pro retro fit 3/MH, PC, and Lunars are actually made for wooden canopy's and would be the ideal system..( i still have to upgrade the MH )..just a little cuttin' to do for the fans, and i'm playin width the "Big Boys " !

[DapperDan]

Coralife I hear the birds talking about them every morning, cheap, cheap, cheap.

DD

[110galreef]

Hamilton makes some nice hoods that aren't really tall....6" I have the 2-250WMH and 2-110w VHO and the hood comes wuth two 4" fans.

I have an opening for the fans to vent out the canopy .

Temps really are no worse the when I had 520w of PC.

[BubbaWPB]

Coralife lights are so thin because the ballasts are separate from the fixture, which is fine with me... I don't like big, heavy electrical stuff hanging over saltwater .... (where is the smiley with the lightning going through it when you need it?)

[charles6299]

i have done alot of research on lighting these past several weeks....coral life should be complimented on being innovative and making slimmer and sleeker designs for those that already have $500 wrapped up in a canopy and still can produce the results with the COMPLETE package.....nothing looks worse than a science project with gadgets and home-made canopy's that can't hold any light inside them......if this sounds familiar, then maybe you should be a little more open minded and look at the features and benefits of products and don't judge a book by the price !