Help With Lighting

robot2222

New member
Hello im brian, I am going to start my 72 bow again I just orderd an ice cap 440 and 2 icecap 250 watt mh balasts and reflectors. I would like to know if i mount the lamps on the standard 72 bow canopywith the ice t5 reflectors .What bulbs do you guys recomend for the t5 and mh hqi 10 k 15k ext.Also what size chiller do u guys recomend . thank you any info would be helpfull.
 
What type of canopy is it? If its one of the plastic one you will not be able to do it. If its the wood kind you can but make sure you install fans in it as well. As far as bulb combo goes simple 460 actinics and either a 14k or 15k bulb. Since that is going to be a lot of light over a 72g id suggest a 1/4th HP chiller. If you can afford it, than you have room to grow with your tank size and not have to buy a new chiller. If not you could get away with a 1/6th HP but I wouldnt go any lower than that.
 
why do you want a chiller?

see how it works with a simple fan blowing on the top of the water either on the display or sump....you might save yourself from spending 800$ :)
 
Maybe if it was only 2 150w halides but 2 250s are gonna cook that water especially with them being inside of a canopy right above the water line.
 
It is the plastic, what if i used 1 250 mh hqi . or maybe I 4 can just use t5 i can drive 440 watts. 4 65 OVERDRIVE THEM TO 80 WATTS EACH. thanks for the input.
 
You just have to watch the heat under the plastic canopy. You dont want that melting into your tank. IMO though, I would never run any halide under a plastic canopy.
 
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