Hood Configuration

[Dhayden]

OK here is my delmela. I have a 45 gal sps / mixed reef.
36"(L)x15"(w)x20"(h) . my 150w mh just went bad, ballast, and probably ruined my bulb as well. So the tank is lit but a little dim as I hope the stuff lives the 5 days it will take for the new stuff to get here. So I figured I would upgrade to a 250w SE, and use a luminarc mini; a little big for this tank, but will big good down the line for upgrade...

So I have:
1- 250w se Reeflux 12k
2 - Compact Fl. 65w actinic
2 - 28w Compact Fl, poss. actinic, right now they are daylight 50/50

I have a hood that is 30 x 15, the mini luminarc is big! 14.5 x 14.5
this is the best configuration I can figure.

Unfortunately I loose about 60% of my main actinics. I cant figure out any other config.
This would give me 250w of 12k and 104w of actinics at best.
What do you think? Enough? Better way to get my actinic in there? I do like the actinic look in the morning and evening.

Also this would put the bottom of the luminarc 5.5" above the water. I am not sure how high the bulb is in there but its a little close. I would imagine I really need some glass to shield eny spray, although I dont have an issue with that now.

Thanks for looking.

 

[kevinpo]

You could leave the actinics out and use some type of LED light strip for sunrise/sunset that would fit under the reflector. Another possibility is to use a couple of T-5 bulbs front and back. They could be placed about 12" apart inside the reflector.

HTH,
Kevin

 

[Scooterman]

I'd stay away from the purchase of CF, either T5's or the LEDs would supplements well. The CF are just the performers as T5's are as far as heat issues, not true actinic & little punch for the energy being used, they aren't efficient at all.

 

[Dhayden]

Thanks for the thoughts. I hadnt thought of led's for actinics, that could be great. Any suggestions on where to find small "pods" of them? Or, I was looking for 12" t-5's and couldnt find any. I am using the CF's because I have them. What do ya'll think about how close the MH will be to the water? I think I will have to rebuild my hood anyway as it will make it very difficult to get anything in or out of the tank.

 

[kevinpo]

You would have to use 24" HO T-5's so they wouldn't fit inside the reflector. Current makes LED add-on modules that one power unit can power up to 12 LED's.

Regards,
Kevin

 

[BobinCovington]

Your size canopy is just the problem I am facing on my own tank design. My tank is 36 x 20 and I want to use the luminarc mini, but I am not sure how to add the actinic. Kevin, do they make a smaller T5 to mount inside the reflector?

 

[kevinpo]

Hi Bob,
I haven't been able to find any T-5's that are smaller than 24". You could use a couple of 36" ones mounted to the edge of the reflector. They have some small brackets that mount directly on the bulbs. You could drill the edge of the reflector and mount the brackets to it.

HTH,
Kevin