HELP with Aquarium Lighting

[dlcorliss]

OK - I need some serious help. I have a 75 gallon reef tank. Currently I am using a Current, Satellite fixture with 4 65w PC bulbs. I have it mounted under my canopy and have holes drilled on both sides allowing the fans to release air. I have also installed two PC fans on the back of my canopy for additional cooling, which is definitely needed. The noise is crazy. Does anyone know of a different lighting option that I can mount under my canopy which does not require 4 cooling fans? I currently have several corals including: finger leather, open brain, torch, Xena and various mushrooms and Zoas. I would stay away from corals needing high intensity lighting if it meant I could purchase and install a much quieter lighting system. Any help/advice would be awesome. Please give me some advice.

[jgking21]

I believe you might be better off with T5's. From what I've read they seem to produce the least amount of heat.

[rmlevasseur]

I agree, for the corals you have now T5 is an excellent option.

[lcstorc]

Since you are mounting things in the canopy anyway you could build your own lighting with retro kits. Then it wouldn't lock the heat inside the fixture except for the fans and you could make it more open with more fans situated in any area you want.
I guess basically I am saying you have more flexibility. T5s are also excellent and relatively low heat lighting.

[BLAKEJOHN]

I would go with the T-5 retro kits. This is what I did and I installed Four 12VDC 120mm computer fans. My lights stay cool, my water tempature cooled off and you cant even hear the fans.

[kyle1284]

T-5 RETRO is the way to go... weather it be Icecap or WH.... im about ot install a set of fans from WindyDayzz.com that is going to help keep the canopy nice and cool

[dlcorliss]

Ok - I have definitely decided to upgrade to a T5 retro but can anyone suggest a good system to pruchase? There are so many out there it is a little overwhelming.

[framerguy]

If you go with a pre-made plug and play then the nova extreme pro is the way to go. If you are handy at DIY then buy the individual components and build it yourself. I use an Icecap ballast with individual reflectors much like the pics already shown. It's not hard to do but a plug and play will be quiet and easy.

[dlcorliss]

Awesome, I was thinking about going with an Icecap set up. How much light do you think I need? Will 4 54w bulbs be enough or should I go with 6? I have a standard 75g with a BTA, fingher leather, zoa's, torch, open brain and various mushrooms.

[framerguy]

Four would be adequate I think. Six would be better of course, but.... the only problem with going with six lights and an Icecap ballast is it will run up to four lights. You would need two. My suggestion...go with four and add more if you feel you need it.

[dlcorliss]

OK - would it be a better idea If I go with 4 UVL bulbs and run them at 85w each? Would 6 still be better or would 4 do the job?

[framerguy]

Those four 85w lights over that tank would be quite a bit of light. Keep an eye on the anemone and let his health be your guide, it is my only concern...but it's not a big one. I really feel that you will have more than enough light. Individual reflectors are a must. Don't skimp on that feature.

[lcstorc]

More is almost always better, particularly when you add an anemone to the mix. They are high light animals. I would get as many bulbs as possible but absolutely get individual reflectors. Even if it means you can only have 4 with individual reflectors or 6 without, I would go for the 4 with.

[dlcorliss]

Thanks Kyle - I'm curious to know if you have installed your fans and how quiet they are.

Or if anyone else has any ideas of quiet fans I could install.

[BLAKEJOHN]

i am using 4 120mm dc brushless pc fans in my canopy. I got them from radio shack (thermaltake model A2368). I sealed off the back of the canopy and installed two at one end pulling air in and two at the other end exhausting air. I use a power supply from and old pc to run them. They are very quite (21dbA @ 2000RPM), i can bearly even hear them run. I have 3.81 cubic feet of air space and each fans pushes 78CFM so a total of 312 CFM, 156CFM in and 156CFM out. My canopy stays very cool and I have no temp increase dispite the 600 watts of T5's just 3" off the water. Actually my temp went down so I had to turn the heaters up to maintain 80f. Hope this helps some.