Best LED Option for canopy thats only 10" high

[Denali08]

I have ran into a huge problem with my LED options as my canopy is only 10" high. Tank is standard 125 72"x18x22. I was thinking the Kessil A360WE due to the 170 degree spread, but looks they will hang 3" off the water line. Options? Help!

 

[ahiggins]

I would love to reccommend AI prime but I feel like you would need at least 3 to get a good spread.
Have you thought about the hydra 26? Ive never had it but it seems slim.

 

[Mpierce]

You can drill 2.5" holes in the top of the canopy and place them on top. Then they would be 10" off the water. The lens of the 360 would be completely unobstructed but it would sit nicely on top. I have a canopy setup like this on my biocube with the 360we.

 

[Denali08]

I have thought about that but the wife would have a cow as you can easily see the top of the canopy in the living room.

 

[Mpierce]

You can see it sitting on top in this photo. Then you also don't need any fancy mounts. I just centered it over the hole. I added a circle of foam weather stripping around where the light sits so it can't get bumped out of place.

 

[Mpierce]

Well it also keeps the lights cool so they aren't trapped in a hot canopy.

 

[dragon99]

Kessil AP700 would be the better choice if low profile is your goal.

But what do you plan to keep? Without knowing if this is a FOWLR or SPS tank it's hard to say what light will work.

 

[Mpierce]

Also the 360 is small. Not like it's some huge ***** things sitting on top...

 

[Mpierce]

Kessil AP700 would be the better choice if low profile is your goal.

But what do you plan to keep? Without knowing if this is a FOWLR or SPS tank it's hard to say what light will work.

Agreed. I bet you would be able to have at least 7 inches between the light and water with the ap700. They specifically have a canopy mount for that light.

 

[Mpierce]

I would love to reccommend AI prime but I feel like you would need at least 3 to get a good spread.
Have you thought about the hydra 26? Ive never had it but it seems slim.

He would probably need at least 3 of any fixture - radion, kessil 360, ai prime / 26. even 2 ap700 would probably be needed if this is a reef tank.

 

[MaiReef]

In my opinion, 3 x Aquatic Life 14" xs-uv fixtures, but better get them quick as they will be sold out.

 

[sinekal]

Look at the maxspect razor, it has a very low profile so it could be mounted higher in the canopy and you can get 120 lenses that will help create spread. The number of pucks may still be a challenge given that height, or another way to put it is shadowing in a few spots along the top might be impossible to avoid.

 

[Denali08]

Thanks for all the replies guys! I plan on it being a mixed reef with several SPS colonies.

 

[MaiReef]

In my opinion, 3 x Aquatic Life 14" xs-uv fixtures, but better get them quick as they will be sold out.

You will certainly get coverage at 6" above water and grow sps. Also, they are easily programmable.

 

[Denali08]

I would love the AP700, but WOW $900 a piece...

 

[Denali08]

I would love to reccommend AI prime but I feel like you would need at least 3 to get a good spread.
Have you thought about the hydra 26? Ive never had it but it seems slim.

I have looked at the Hydra 26HD and seem like a valid option. Guess I was liking the Kessils due to the ease of hanging and that shimmer

 

[Mpierce]

could start with one ap700 and then as you expand you can add another Fosters & Smith also often has 10-20% off so you can get them for a little better price.

 

[BlueCursor]

I have my AI Hydra 52s inside the canopy. The bottom of the AIs are 5 inches above the water. It's nice and clean with the lights hidden, but more are needed for even coverage. I have a 48" x 22" tank. I ended up going with 2 AI Hydra 52s and 1 AI Hydra 26. I wish I had just gone with 3 AI Hydra 52s.

Bottom line, when wives are involved it costs us more money!

 

[Denali08]

I have my AI Hydra 52s inside the canopy. The bottom of the AIs are 5 inches above the water. It's nice and clean with the lights hidden, but more are needed for even coverage. I have a 48" x 22" tank. I ended up going with 2 AI Hydra 52s and 1 AI Hydra 26. I wish I had just gone with 3 AI Hydra 52s.

Bottom line, when wives are involved it costs us more money!

AMEN!

 

[Denali08]

could start with one ap700 and then as you expand you can add another Fosters & Smith also often has 10-20% off so you can get them for a little better price.

I might just have to do that... buy one now and get the other one down the road.