I'm wanting to eventually keep all kinds of corals, and i think i found my lighting i want. At my LFS theres is a used Canopy i can pick up, im thinking of putting two halides in it, and running two attinic bulbs with them, do you think this would be enough lights? Do i really need the attinic lights?
Will this be enough light?
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What size tank and what watt halides? What type of actinic bulbs(PC, LED, T5)?
Generally a canopy is a wood decorative piece to sit on top of the tank, you can add lighting retrofit parts to it.
A fixture would be a premade light assembly that can set upon the tank or be suspended above.
Does what you are looking at fit one of these descriptions?
A fixture would be a premade light assembly that can set upon the tank or be suspended above.
Does what you are looking at fit one of these descriptions?
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Agreed. The actinics bulbs would not be necessary, but can help with the color.
I've got a 75g with a canopy fs. I have some 250w MH ballast and reflectors cheap.
but you are asking too general a question about lighting.
I've grow coral and kept anemones under all kinds of lighting. MH and old t8s are the best bang for the buck because the are almost free! t5s do great with coral. Some folks have 1000 watts on their tanks, but a 250 or 2 150s or a 400 w or 2 250w would be plenty of light. I have 3 150 20k on my 125 and don't even use the t5s anymore.
but you are asking too general a question about lighting.
I've grow coral and kept anemones under all kinds of lighting. MH and old t8s are the best bang for the buck because the are almost free! t5s do great with coral. Some folks have 1000 watts on their tanks, but a 250 or 2 150s or a 400 w or 2 250w would be plenty of light. I have 3 150 20k on my 125 and don't even use the t5s anymore.
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Should be fine. Just remember with MHs they put off a lot of heat, so you will need to keep an eye on temp swings. If you install a few computer fans in the canopy that will help, but you may need a chiller.
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It's more about getting good air flow across the bulbs.
2x250w would do well (with or without actinics)... I've got that setup (with 2 actinic T5s) on my 90 and have been pleased with it. 2 4" fans do a decent job of cooling the above-tank area (but I do run a chiller... a necessity that is probably due to keeping my house at 78-79 in the summer).
If you want a canopy, do not go that route.
I went with the 2-250W version of this: http://www.marineandreef.com/Aqualight_Pro_Metal_Halide_48_inch_Coralife_p/res53506.htm">http://www.marineandreef.com/Aqualight_Pro_Metal_Halide_48_inch_Coralife_p/res53506.htm</a>
A choice I regret everytime I look at it.
I went with the 2-250W version of this: http://www.marineandreef.com/Aqualight_Pro_Metal_Halide_48_inch_Coralife_p/res53506.htm">http://www.marineandreef.com/Aqualight_Pro_Metal_Halide_48_inch_Coralife_p/res53506.htm</a>
A choice I regret everytime I look at it.
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