Canopy Lighting

[hubble]

New tank coming (60x28x23) with matching stand and canopy. Canopy will be 16" tall and am contemplating lighting sources. I should be able to drill and mount fans on the sides and/or mount a fan in the back (the back will be open). I can even maybe drill some small holes in the top to vent heat out. I wouldn't mind a ATI T5 fixture but they don't recommend those in a canopy. I like the sky, Orphek's, and other LED's and would like to get by with just two fixture's if possible. Tank will be mixed reef, heavy sps, at least that's the plan. Any other lighting suggestions ?

 

[CoralB]

Radion xr30’s or xr 15’s . Personally I like the 15s for placement purposes . And they have fans built in . Great lights

 

[bobnicaragua]

T5 LED hybrid is hard to beat.

 

[vetteguy53081]

two to three Orphek OR3-150 sky blue/blue plus combo (which is 60" )
OR
Pair of Apex AP-9 or pair of Reef Builders Photon

 

[hubble]

two to three Orphek OR3-150 sky blue/blue plus combo (which is 60" )
OR
Pair of Apex AP-9 or pair of Reef Builders Photon

Interesting................

 

[JCOLE]

New tank coming (60x28x23) with matching stand and canopy. Canopy will be 16" tall and am contemplating lighting sources. I should be able to drill and mount fans on the sides and/or mount a fan in the back (the back will be open). I can even maybe drill some small holes in the top to vent heat out. I wouldn't mind a ATI T5 fixture but they don't recommend those in a canopy. I like the sky, Orphek's, and other LED's and would like to get by with just two fixture's if possible. Tank will be mixed reef, heavy sps, at least that's the plan. Any other lighting suggestions ?

If you like T5's then take a look at the LET retrofit kits. I installed a 6 bulb kit in my canopy for under $400.

 

[dedragon]

I like the mix of kessil a360x or ap9x mixed with led bars (Orphek or3 sky blue, quanta led bars, etc)

 

[dedragon]

I will be going with an orphek icon for my incoming tank but that was more based on budget constraints and no canopy

 

[dedragon]

and ik if i dont say it others will, but metal halides still light some of the best tanks out there

 

[oreo54]

and ik if i dont say it others will, but metal halides still light some of the best tanks out there

In a canopy (even fans/open back and restricted to 16" max height from tank top to top cover) MH's don't seem like the best choice.

T5's (DIY ATM) w/ remote ballasts is probably the best thermal solution.

T5's have been "enclosed" in ceilings for decades.

LED light bars or any w/ remote power supply or drivers would be next.
At 16" fan cooled flat led's and some vents in the top are possible.

Best LED Option for canopy thats only 10" high

U may want to consider radions with wide angle lenses. They really do increase spread significantly. I have 2 on a 60" tank under a canopy about 8" in off water. Noticeable difference in spread

www.reef2reef.com

Biggest problem in the above link is height issues. You have 6" more "legroom"

Enough fans and anything is probably "possible" since the back is open, even ATI.
Of course room temp. differential plays into this. "Normal" coolish room, not like 80 degrees or anything.

Lot of evaporation though.

Depends on needs wants.

 

[hubble]

I think being inside a closed canopy that halides are probably not an option. And not sure how much of a pain in the butt it would be changing out T5 bulbs in a canopy either. I think I'm leaning towards LED's just for the simplicity and low/non maintenance. The tank won't be here for another month, then I have to stain the stand and canopy so I'll probably change my mind like 100 times. Thanks for all the input and ideas

 

[Breadman03]

I'm running 250 watt Radiums in Lumenbrite Mini reflectors. If heat becomes an issue, I'm looking pretty hard at Coralcare LED's. Time will tell

 

[oreo54]

I'm running 250 watt Radiums in Lumenbrite Mini reflectors. If heat becomes an issue, I'm looking pretty hard at Coralcare LED's. Time will tell

Nice writeup..

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-06/review/index.php

 

[hubble]

That was an interesting read, wish my canopy was taller.

 

[oreo54]

That was an interesting read, wish my canopy was taller.

If you can live with "simple" 60" Orphek bars would work.

OR3 Reef Aquarium LED Bar •Orphek

Orphek OR3 Reef Aquarium LED Bar, OR3 60 / 90 / 120 / 150 for Coral Pop Fluorescent Color Growth and Illumination – 5Watt Dual Chip LEDs

orphek.com

90's are listed at 40 Watts each..Opp's 35"
Roughly equiv. to a 4ft t5ho.
Lots of plugs...

Confused cm w/ inches..
OR3 150 – US$325 ( 150cm / 60 Inch / 42 LEDs of Dual Chip 5Watt )
75 Watts each.

 

[hubble]

Dang, first I was thinking a couple Neptune Sky. Now I'm thinking a bank of the 60" OR3 LED light bars, 5 maybe 6. Price would be almost 2 grand for 6 OR3's and about $1750 for two Sky's. I don't know I have plenty of time to make a decision. T5's would be much cheaper though.

​

 

[oreo54]

Dang, first I was thinking a couple Neptune Sky. Now I'm thinking a bank of the 60" OR3 LED light bars, 5 maybe 6. Price would be almost 2 grand for 6 OR3's and about $1750 for two Sky's. I don't know I have plenty of time to make a decision. T5's would be much cheaper though.

​

6 or 8?
$673 + ($25 x6) = $823 480W
X $300 (5 yr 18mo bulb turnover)
$1123 5 yr "plan"

$792 + ($25 x 8) = $992 640W
$1292 5yr "plan"

As pointed out to me after 5 yrs you may only need to change bulbs.
As I like to believe, you may not need to ditch your LED's in 5 yrs and resupply.

6 for $1950
2 sky run full 400W..

Now as "we" know lifespan is unpredictable really.
One word of caution as "I" see it..
I have little doubt about certain t5's being available for the 5 years and beyond, I do wonder about the "odd" sizes, like 60's.


Lumenbars are $260 each.
$1560/ 6

The LumenBar Color 60″ has 45 x 3watt

Assume 2 real watts at best..540 total W

LumenBar Color 60" - ReefBreeders.com

The LumenBar Color 60" is the perfect compliment to your ATI Sunpower 60", Photon 48-V2+/50-V2+, or any other 60"-72" long aquarium light.

reefbreeders.com

Won't mention China prices..besides they decided to err "fluff" them a bit anyways.
Not anything I'm positive of but suspect with the Skys by the time you get the height right you may want to add accent bars anyways. 30x28 area each if you did L/W/H right..
Overall it would be a more.. err..."fun" system but pricey as well.

I certainly have no idea what will work best "for you"..
YMMV....
Food for thought.

Oh a bunch of these may cut cost down..Only $125 /100W or so..
https://sbreeflights.com/sbox-reef-lights/70-18-sbox-basic.html

 

[oreo54]

Might as well throw these in and Mitras.

ReeFi® LED Duo – ReeFi Lab

www.reefi-lab.com

 

[bobnicaragua]

My 18” canopy. Halide, T5, & LED. Computer fans on top, no chiller. T5 run all day. LED are for sunrise and sunset.

For what the t5 and halides deliver, changing a bulb every year or 18 months is absolutely nothing compared to the effort I put into trying to keep my tank happy.

 

[hubble]

Good thing I have time to think about this...............