DIY hybrid floating light canopy

HJ99

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Looking for ideas and opinions on building a canopy or fixture to do T5 /Led hybrid. This is for a 6 ft 180. $600 + for two fixtures without bulbs seems a bit much to me but maybe not. I was thinking some cheap strip like T5 fixtures and mount everything in a DIY canopy. Thanks
 

Saltyreef

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Why not do this 61" fixture?


Unless you dont want or have any lower light corals, you dont need glass to glass coverage.

Im planning to run a 24" t5 hybrid on a 36" tank.
 

Ratherbeflyen

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I built my own hood.

PXL_20210301_145623577.jpg


 

Greybeard

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There really is no need to light a tank end to end... lights don't go straight down from the edge of the fixture. I'm running a 4' light over a 5' tank. A 5' light over your 6' tank should be fine.

Nothing wrong with T5's. They're certainly the least expensive entry for large tanks, and you KNOW, for a fact, that they'll grow corals. The right quantity, with the right bulbs, you can grow anything under T5's.

I do miss the shimmer, though. I'm an old Halide guy... Halides + PC, then Halides + VHO, eventually Halides + T5's... Awesome growth. Today, it's Kessel AP700's + T5's. You can get that halide shimmer, without needing a chiller (and an upgrade to your home's electrical service!) :D
 
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HJ99

HJ99

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Thanks for the suggestions. I hadn't considered not needing a 6 ' fixture. The DIY with the TV mounts is slick !
 

LDog74

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Here is what I built. It pivots up and the air cylinders hold it up for working purposes. Tank is 78x28x26. 4 ReeFi Extremes & 2 ReeFi uno
 

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