I have 7 and 3/4 inches;)

[Caesar Augustus]

That is all the space I have on the back of the canopy for my 55 (meaning with the piano hinge up). I was thinking of setting it back up as a med reef. I was wondering if anyone had any brilliant and economic plans for a retro fit? I don't plan on keeping any maxima's in there or anything but I might but some other clam in there, no acro or anything. Well, any 'bright' ideas??
Keep the faith,
Napoleon

[Caesar Augustus]

Will a 3 bulb VHO kit fit?

[PerryinCA]

Are ya in a hurry?

Off the top of my head, I would recommend either a pair of 150w Double ended Iwasaki aqua (50k) lamps, or as a soon to come alternative, 4-6 54w t-5's. There should be some true actinic T-5 lamps on the market within 8 weeks, hopefully 6. I know even sooner than then there will be some Blue's available, but

Both would be a good application for you. I will always favor the MH, and they will always be (in the near foreseeable future) the best light source for our tanks, but T-5 is impressive, and will be great for many applications that VHO and PC have held the market in.

Regards,

Perry
Sunlight Supply

[Caesar Augustus]

I'm in no hurry. I have not heard of these T-5's what's that all about?
Whats the spetrum like?

[kevinpo]

Here are a couple of links with info on them.
http://www.gelighting.com/eu/litlib/..._brochure.html
http://www.narva-bel.de/

HTH,
Kevin

[mudhen]

http://www.coralreefecosystems.com/

I too have a piano type top with very little room
for lighting. I bought a setup from Coral Reef Eco-Systems about two years ago. I am very happy with my setup. I have the low profile reflector with two 150 watt Iwasaki 6500k bulbs and VHOs with electronic ballasts.
This setup fits nicely within the hood over a 75gl tank.

Mud

[big t]

Hi
You could probably fit the 4 bulb vho retro kit from hellolights.com. It is about $270 shipped. it is about 2 1/2" tall and they have a 46 1/2" length. I just got one for my 55 works good
later
tom

[Caesar Augustus]

Big T first of allWelcome to Reefland! 2nd are you sure a four bulb retro is smaller than 7 3/4 inches??
Napoleon

[big t]

Thanks for the Welcome, I like this site. So you must have meant that you only have 7 3/4 inches width? if so that is about the same as mine. What I did was get a 4 bulb retro kit and cut the reflector down the center. I then have half the lights on the flip up part and half on that part that stays on top of the tank. I can post a pic if you need me 2
later
tom

[Caesar Augustus]

Yea I'd like to see that!

[big t]

here is the hood flipped open

[big t]

here is the hood closed. I have 4 vho and 2 30w no that are overdriven to 60w. The pic is taken w/ 1 vho on and the 2 no's on
later
tom

[big t]

sorry here is the other pic

[Caesar Augustus]

Sweet Big T! Thanks
Napoleon