Reef lighting recommendations

[AquaSixAquaticsReef]

 

[oreo54]

Any opinion on this?

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/reef...html?queryID=7d3071256bb572f28fe46251c431590f

Company is in bankruptcy and the lights require the cloud.. Which may soon disappear.

 

[AquaSixAquaticsReef]

@oreo54 So with only 8-1/2” to the top for space, does that change your recommendations?

 

[oreo54]

@oreo54 So with only 8-1/2” to the top for space, does that change your recommendations?

Well i don't really "recommend" more of an example type thing. That's how to dodge responsibility. :)

81/2" is enough room to say mount puck lights off the top of the hood with say 1" air gap.
With having the brace 2 "puck styles" work.

Stick lights at 120 degrees are fine at like 5" off the water line.
Maybe mount some cleats to the side panels to rest the lights on.



I'd likely cut a much larger opening in the top but any modifications need you to do them based on lights you have chosen. Maybe even remove the top. Depends on how its built.

Personally that type of hood isn't really designed for a lot of lights and also the ability to work around them.

you should look around at various hoods and light combos.
At first I thought.. hey found your hood but then I saw it was a piano hinge not a "gap".
See#16..
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/show-me-your-diy-hoods.129042/

 

[AquaSixAquaticsReef]

@oreo54 So with only 8-1/2” to the top for space, does that change your recommendations?

Well i don't really "recommend" more of an example type thing. That's how to dodge responsibility. :)

81/2" is enough room to say mount puck lights off the top of the hood with say 1" air gap.
With having the brace 2 "puck styles" work.

Stick lights at 120 degrees are fine at like 5" off the water line.
Maybe mount some cleats to the side panels to rest the lights on.

I'd likely cut a much larger opening in the top but any modifications need you to do them based on lights you have chosen. Maybe even remove the top. Depends on how its built.

Personally that type of hood isn't really designed for a lot of lights and also the ability to work around them.

you should look around at various hoods and light combos.
At first I thought.. hey found your hood but then I saw it was a piano hindg not a "gap".
See#16..
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/show-me-your-diy-hoods.129042/

So I could remove the top boards but I’m thinking maybe just deciding on lights first and then cutting the top to fit them better. So I could just align them with the top of the canopy. Then they’re not really enclosed in it. I was originally going to use this nicrew light bar from Amazon because the price was unbeatable but after looking on here, idk how it would even be acceptable.

https://a.co/d/0ear6GNb

 

[oreo54]

So I could remove the top boards but I’m thinking maybe just deciding on lights first and then cutting the top to fit them better. So I could just align them with the top of the canopy. Then they’re not really enclosed in it. I was originally going to use this nicrew light bar from Amazon because the price was unbeatable but after looking on here, idk how it would even be acceptable.

https://a.co/d/0ear6GNb

A glass or acrylic canopy is highly recommended to extend the life of the unit by preventing moisture from affecting it

I'm sure they mean cover..

That's why I mentioned the water proof or resistant thing. These bars sit pretty close to the water surface.

 

[AquaSixAquaticsReef]

So I could remove the top boards but I’m thinking maybe just deciding on lights first and then cutting the top to fit them better. So I could just align them with the top of the canopy. Then they’re not really enclosed in it. I was originally going to use this nicrew light bar from Amazon because the price was unbeatable but after looking on here, idk how it would even be acceptable.

https://a.co/d/0ear6GNb

A glass or acrylic canopy is highly recommended to extend the life of the unit by preventing moisture from affecting it

I'm sure they mean cover..

That's why I mentioned the water proof or resistant thing. These bars sit pretty close to the water surface.

Which I have glass lids I could use but everything I have read says it’s better for corals to not have the lids and allow the light to travel better. I’m looking on reef2reef marketplace now.

 

[Thumbster]

I have 2 Noopsyche K7 Pro III’s in my canopy about 7” above the water (the actual water not top of aquarium). They’ve been there a little over three years and are doing fine.
I made my canopy a flip top and it has an open back.