[Mikeman]

I'm going to try and hook everything up tommorrow, but as a question I'm thinking of leaving the ballast out of the ahsupply hood, would this do any harm,? I don't want to buy a fan, so.......

the hood does look very nice though especially with the hood long gaps on top,


thanks

[Aquariust]

you could try mounting the ballast along the back. But, I've noticed alot of salt creep clings to the back, so it could be a risk. Definately clean it often.

IMHO, use a fan! This is simply something you shouldn't skimp on. It can be ordered from Radio shack for $25! In a heat wave, or an A/c failure, you'd be happy the fan was on there.

GL!

[Mikeman]

its really not that I don't want to have a fan, but its that I'd have to cut a hole in the hood, and I really don't want to do that

[Strangelove]

I have a 4 x 96w PC setup on my reef, a 2 x 96 on my 90 planted Cichlid and a 2x55 on my planted community tanks. If you're using AH's directions for building a light enclosure there's really no need for a fan. With the amount of ventilation provided I really have minimal temp rise when the lights are on.


Also, I'd leave the ballasts on the inside. Having the wires on the outside will make the enclosure difficult to move around routinely without messing up the connections, splices, etc IMO.


Gene

[Aquariust]

Well you can give it a try w/o one. I didn't use a fan right away either. My temps soared to 86 Degrees F. I had to disassemble one whole side to mount the fan. I used a rotozip to cut a hole in the back. You could use a jig saw. I mounted the fan on the outside, and you can't see any cut marks. Tank runs 79-80 DF al the time now.

Thanks Gene for pointing out another problem with keeping the ballast outside. Never thought of it, makes sense too!

GL! and let us know how you made out.