Lighting problem

[Dwarf Puffers]

I'm trying to build a DIY hood for my 75g, but I'm stuck on the lighting. I'd like at least 225 watts, the more the better, but I don't know what lights to use. The ones I've seen would overheat it. So how many/what kind of bulbs should I use? Thanks.

 

[Fordtrannyman]

I'm trying to build a DIY hood for my 75g, but I'm stuck on the lighting. I'd like at least 225 watts, the more the better, but I don't know what lights to use. The ones I've seen would overheat it. So how many/what kind of bulbs should I use? Thanks.

4X55W AH Supply Kit
2 6700K Bulbs.
AH bulbs are a little yellow and seem to only hold a good spectrum about 9 months. Coralife 6700K bulbs have been reported to last a year or better.
and 2 GE 9325K Bulbs Mixing these bulbs give a great affect.
The GE bulbs have been reported to hold their spectrum the entire life of the bulb.

When building the hood to eliminate heat leave the back open as much as possible and incorporate 120mm fans. You can use PC fans (quite ones) and wire to an AC adapter or get AC fans (a little more noisy) and wire into AH Kit wiring. Fans can be mounted on the ends to pull/push air or in the top to pull or in the back to pull. Another trick is to use 3/16" glass versa tops to insulate. Another trick when using the AH Kits is to add spacers/washers underneath the ballast. This will allow the heat to dissipate. May actually lead to longer life..??

This will get you the most bang for your buck.

 

[jones57742]

Another alternate is PC. Please reference
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewI...ixtures-Power_Compact-48in_Units~vendor~.html

Three 10000K bulbs and one 7100K bulb. Apparently Ford enjoys the yellowish light emitted by the 6700K bulbs but I really do not.

As Ford indicated leave the back of the hood open. (Please note the exhaust fan on the fixture.)

The advantage of this system is the elimination of weight from the hood.
The fixture is placed on the surface plate of the tank and is independent of the hood.

I have had a hood with T5 lighting attached and it's weight was such that one person could not remove the hood. This condition was a real pain.

TR

 

[Fordtrannyman]

TR MAY have a point about the weight.
If the Hood is fashioned in such a way that it has to be removed for maintenance. The extra 5 or 6 pounds that a 4X55 AH Kit and fans weigh could be a concern. I'm lucky enough to have more than a 4' arm span, so lifting my 4' hood on and off the tank is not a problem.

AH Kits do not come with bulbs. They must be purchased separately and tend to be more yellow than other 6700K bulbs. 10000K bulbs have too much blue.
Hence my recommendation for mixing. The color spectrum of different bulbs and their respective manufacturers is very arguable and TR has obviously been involved in debates on this subject given the fact that he took my words out of context. There are many excellent bulbs out there that work well for plant health.

 

[jones57742]

TR has obviously been involved in debates on this subject given the fact that he took my words out of context.

Ford:

Please excuse me. I did not intend to take your words out of context.

My comments came from having multiples of what I remember to be four manufacturer's 6700K (+/-) bulbs in the garage. All of them had the same yellowish tint with dull light (as observed by a human) which I did not enjoy.

My recommendation for one 7100K and three 10000K bulb came from the same era of experimentation in order to ascertain bulbs which I, my fishies and my plants would enjoy. The 7100K bulb could also be used for nighttime lighting. (This experimentation was accomplished with two PC fixtures each of which had two 65W bulbs [260W total] for my 110G tank.) (Please note that when I added 300W of 14000K HQI-MH I substituted a 7100K for a 10000K bulb in a PC fixture.)

I have not noted a blueish tint in the light emitted from the 10000K bulbs and that these bulbs are marketed as "white light".


DP:

The light emitted by the 6700K (+/-) bulbs to which Ford and I are referring emulate sunlight and the bulbs are also marketed as Sunlight, Mid Day, Grow Lite, etc.

TR