Building a Lighting Hood on a 125

[Turf]

So this is going to be on a 125... but I'm wondering if support is going to be an issue and how to fix it. I'm going to be putting t5's spanning the underside(middle section) so I can't split the hood in half and I'm not going to make a BOX hood. I'm just afraid that it will bow in the middle.http://photos-092.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v75/34/46/13940732/n13940732_38037092_5463.jpg

[David Grigor]

I wouldn't bother trying to hinge to access lighting from the top. Trying to do maintenance from top with the reflectors and bulb so close together would be nearly impossible anyhow. I'd make it solid so support shouldn't be an issue. Take the hood off the tank to do any lighting maintenance.

For T5s lighting you for sure want fans on the sides blowing air across the bulbs. I'd also put some vents on top so heat/moisture can escape if your planning to set this directly on the tank.

[Turf]

Good point... I think I would still like the first panel to hinge or feeding will become a problem.

[storrisch]

http://www.tcmas.org/forums/showthread.php?t=672

you could set up a pulley system to raise and lower the lights for ease of maintenance

[Turf]

Good possiblilty but I'm going to use this as more of a show tank so I want to keep it clean. It also sits a little lower then most stands which is why I was leaning away from the box look.

[David Grigor]

If that's the case, you going to have to leave some distance between the bulbs at least in the front. Venting will be key to keep humidity out of the fixture if sitting directly on the tank.....

[Turf]

I was thinking about that... I figured I could put a big fan on each end and if need be put a fan on the back.

[Turf]

One other side thought as this project has been a long time in the making... I'm using t5/HO's and originally going to put on 4(don't remember how I came up with this number but I did) the question is would this be sufficient for softies? I simply can't remember and I'm use to 2x400watts

[Turf]

http://photos-399.ak.facebook.com/ip002/v71/34/46/13940732/n13940732_38066399_3457.jpg
http://photos-398.ak.facebook.com/ip002/v71/34/46/13940732/n13940732_38066398_3103.jpg
The stand is done now but I still have to do the hood and this is what is should look like when it is done.

[David Grigor]

originally going to put on 4(don't remember how I came up with this number but I did) the question is would this be sufficient for softies?

Good news is you can try and see what happens. Worst case you will have to add more as needed. I'm assuming 4 bulbs means just 2 rows of 3' lights. Probably not going to be enough long term as you get more and more livestock but lightly loaded tank initially it will be fine. Most likely 3-4 rows of T5s will be required as you fill up the real estate directly under your bulbs.

On community softy tank, open brains and such will do fine on the bottom with the 4 bulbs but zoanthids/ricordia on the bottom will likely not stay brightly colored with the fewer bulbs.

[Turf]

Actually it is 4 rows w/4' bulbs... after though I neglected the remaining foot on either end so will see how much left over light their will be. Thanks for the input on the corals.

[storrisch]

you could stagger them


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[tinghich]

May I know what software do you use to create the nice drawing?
Thanks,
TN

[storrisch]

looks like Google's SketchUp

[Turf]

I like the stagger idea and yes it was the google sketchup

[David Grigor]

Still likely going to needs some vents on top unless your going to use glass tops. Thats low and no vents on top will make it very humid in the fixture and no where for it to go.....

[Turf]

Good point... I haven't had a hood that was closed tight enough to need it yet... If i don't leave the back open I'll have to get some of those vents that don't let light through.

[Timmy77]

Here is a link to my canopy build if it helps you.


http://thereeftank.com/forums/showthread.php?t=92105