Best T5 Fixture for Canopy?

[DaveFe]

I'm getting extremely close to finishing my tank, just need a light system and I've hit a bit of a roadblock so hoping to get other peoples thoughts. I'm nervous about what fixturing can go into the canopy shown on my tank. I'm planning on this being an LPS tank so everything I've read has led me to believe a 4 bulb system should be good. The canopy is very open so I don't think heat will be a huge issue (but since this is my first ever reef tank I could be totally wrong who knows). It's more how the heck am I going to mount it, I've got almost 49 inches length inside the canopy but the hinge the lets it open gives me only about 5.5 inches of height at the very ends, if the fixture is not quite that long the height could go up to about 6.5 inches.
Any opinions on what I should look into in terms of brands or options would really be appreciated.
Thanks,

 

[pluikens]

I think 2 x 2 bulb T5 retrofit fixtures would work great if you're thinking of T5 (which should be sufficient for anything but high light demanding corals). Another option for LED would be two of the Orphek OR120 LED bars. About the same prices as the T5 fixtures once you buy bulbs and you'll never have to replace bulbs with them!

 

[A. grandis]

I think that is a 75gal., right?
Get a 6 bulb ATI Powermodule and place it on 2 pieces of wood, one on each side of the tank... make it about 1" tall.
Works great!
You will need to remove the whole canopy and the light for maintenance. Not a big deal. You'll get used to!
The ATI has fans and is one of the best T5 fixtures available for a very reasonable price.
Any fixture will get hot in that canopy! You can use fans blowing from the back.
If you can hang the ATI Powermodule from the ceiling please do it. Good luck!
Yes, 6 bulbs for LPS!

 

[DaveFe]

I think that is a 75gal., right?
Get a 6 bulb ATI Powermodule and place it on 2 pieces of wood, one on each side of the tank... make it about 1" tall.
Works great!
You will need to remove the whole canopy and the light for maintenance. Not a big deal. You'll get used to!
The ATI has fans and is one of the best T5 fixtures available for a very reasonable price.
Any fixture will get hot in that canopy! You can use fans blowing from the back.
If you can hang the ATI Powermodule from the ceiling please do it. Good luck!
Yes, 6 bulbs for LPS!

ATI was actually my first choice until I realized they didn't have mounting feet, I hadn't thought about trying to rig something up. Maybe I'll have to look at some pictures of the fixture and see what I can think of.

 

[madweazl]

What is the distance between the water level and the underside of the canopy?

 

[DaveFe]

What is the distance between the water level and the underside of the canopy?

It's about 7 inches.

 

[madweazl]

A retrofit is probably your best option then. LET has a decent setup; quality ballast with decent reflectors if it fits the bill.

 

[A. grandis]

ATI was actually my first choice until I realized they didn't have mounting feet, I hadn't thought about trying to rig something up. Maybe I'll have to look at some pictures of the fixture and see what I can think of.

6 bulb fixture. I've got exactly the same canopy you have there.

 

[Dana Riddle]

Look for a fixture that will focus the light into the tank. Your investment in lighting could be for naught if the light spread is wide and illuminates the tank - and the carpet and wall behind the tank. Most light should be focused downwards. Many companies have PAR diagrams on their websites.

 

[Montiman]

I like the wavepoint 4 bulb retrofits. It would be affordable and much lower profile then trying to cut the canopy and add a fixture

 

[Dana Riddle]

6 bulb fixture. I've got exactly the same canopy you have there.

Hope the vog is staying away from HNL. I hear it can be terrible over on the Big Island. For as much as I love Hawaii, I'm so glad I got off that island!

 

[ajhudson15]

It's about 7 inches.

Dave. shoot me a message. I have the same tank with a 6 bulb ati fixture and I love the way I did mine if you want to see

 

[A. grandis]

Hope the vog is staying away from HNL. I hear it can be terrible over on the Big Island. For as much as I love Hawaii, I'm so glad I got off that island!

Last week we had some. Not too bad lately though. Aloha!