Well I will say right now, not having halides is not an option. I will have them as long as they aren’t somehow banned or otherwise unavailable.The very best for what we can find today without stress? First thing I would take the canopy a part and open the top for ventilation. All my tanks are open. I would get Cozumel fixtures (they are 20" X 20" X 9.5") cause I like to have a glass protection for my halides and would enjoy doing it. Don't take me wrong, I'm a very busy guy, but I plan stuff and get it done if I think it will improve the system. I also would place a fan to cut the heat around those fixtures.
If you don't want to do that way, the Cabo Sun minis will be a great choice (they are open reflectors), as I've said before. You can open some holes on the top of the canopy to get the air out. Just can't go wrong with halides anyway!
If the Cabo Sun mini works the best for you, that's they way to go.
Every one will have their priorities and goals. Just try to enjoy while you're doing it. You won't touch it anymore, besides changing those bulbs.
The back of my canopy is open, and I have a 4 inch box fan on it. But with my basement sump setup, I lose enough heat, that I don’t run the fan in the winter. Probably not the best for gas exchange, but with a 14 foot drop to my basement sump, aeration doesn’t seem to be a problem. I respect the setups like @90's reefer runs, but I’m not a fan of the light spillage, which is why I like having a canopy so that I don’t light up the whole room. Plus, how do you run the VHO’s on an open canopy? I’d be interested to see that done. My VHO bulbs have the internal 180 degree reflectors, but nothing else. So @90's reefer, where did you get that channel that you used to support your lights? I assume it is some kind of anodized aluminum.
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