Ballasts in the canopy or underneath the tank?

[keqwow]

Just planning out my canopy...do most of you keep your ballasts in the stand under the tank and just run wires up to the lights, or do you build the ballasts into the hoods? I am leaning more towards having them under the stand with everything else.

[glaudds]

IMO, I would but them in your stand. You will have heat issues in your canopy, especially if you're using magnetic ballasts.

[tdwyatt]

If you have the space, do a remote mount, heat in the stand is almost as bad as heat in the hood, especially if you have a sump in the stand. Most manufacturers for ballasts will suppy you with extension cords with fittings to allow you to plug in your ballast with prewired lines, check with Doug at www.reeftanklighting.com for more specific info on these, he can supply you with most of whay you[ll need to do a diy hood and have professional results.


HTH

[VWD]

I keep my out of the stand and hood and have the away fron the stand in a box with vents. really depends on type of ballast.

[Loverotties]

I've had them on a remote board hung on the back of the stand!

[skeety]

For my tank with PC lights, I have the ballast mounted on the side of the stand.


For my tank with MH lights? I have the ballast as FAR away from the tank as the wires allow. MH ballast will produce some serious heat. Keep the balast as far as possible from the Tank.