Your thoughts on canopy/lighting

[HTang]

I am in the process of building a stand/canopy for a new 95g 36x24x25 reef tank. I am going with 250w mh lighting.
The choices for lighting retrofits and lighting systems are almost overwhelming. I understand the importance of cooling fans in the canopy.
I'd like some thoughts on what I am thinking of doing...
I want the appearance of a canopy. I would like to build a canopy between 12 and 18 inches in height and have no top so I could use a regular mh system with built in cooling fans and external electronic ballast.
Would this satisfy the cooling requirements even though the canopy will have 3 sides and no top?
Due the height of stand, tank and canopy, no one will know theres no top.

Thanks

[wharyat]

Without a top you shouldn't have too much of a problem. Most MH fixtures will have the fans on the ends of the unit, so you must make sure that there is plenty of clearance for air intake and exhaust. I would say a minimum of 1" on intake, with a little more on the exhaust side to cut down on turbulence.

If you place vents in the canopy over the exhaust and intake, you can pretty much touch the canopy with the fixture. I would still give about an 1/8" clearance from anything combustible though.

[HTang]

Space wont be a problem. Not sure if I'll go with pendant type or full fixture..

Thanks for reply

[Loverotties]

If you go with pendant you can hang them and have more airflow without a canopy.

[jenglish]

Many full fixtures will be cumbersome to fit with a hood.

[HTang]

Thanks for your thoughts..as i wrote in my first post, I like the canopy. I am not too crazy about some retrokits...Also the canopy will not have a top...just the three sides...This was just something I thought of in order to have maybe a pendant...something with builtin cooling fans to simplify the whole setup.

I have tosay, that the lighting situation forme is the hardest to decide..
At least I know I'm going with MH...thats a start.

[Loverotties]

You got to start somewhere!

[HTang]

Any thoughts on using an ATI 6x39w or a TEK 8x39w for this setup? Soft corals mainly.

Thanks.

[crvz]

Originally Posted by HTang

Any thoughts on using an ATI 6x39w or a TEK 8x39w for this setup? Soft corals mainly.

Thanks.

Would be a fine choice, and often a better solution when in a canopy. I used T5s for years with great success, and either of those units will work well on your tank.

[HTang]

Thanks for the reply. I do like the ATI Sunpower..
.But would there be enough of a difference wattage wise compared to the TEK 8 lamp?
Of course technically the TEK has more wattage, but the sunpower setup is very appealing.