new adventure

[skinnyjoe1976]

this is my latest under taking. i stated this canopy with 3 250 coralvue ballast and 12k bulbs. 4 96 watt actnics and 4 moonlights. this is rays new setup and figured i would show off what i did to make it completey plug and play. no wires were cut for future upgrades and resale and all timers and plugs are ontop of the canopy it's self and there is only one plug to plug in. also there is 4 outlets on all the time and 2 set for halides on a timer and 2 set for supplement lighting on a timer. i recessed the halides to allow the actinics to get more coverage. here are some pics. btw ray needs to stain the new pieces of oak.

pics of the under side looking at the wiring.

[/IMG]

[/IMG]

shot from the top before wall was installed

[/IMG]

under belly shot

[/IMG]

lights on

[/IMG]

final from the front. notice the ballast are nolonger visible

[/IMG]

 

[thor32766]

wow great work looks fantastic!

 

[MitchReef]

I love the idea of the ballasts, etc mounted on the top....What size wiring are you running up to power it all? I have not yet started on my hood and just might steal / borrow / emulate the plan...Also, what are you using for your reflector sheeting? I see that it is a pretty much continuous looking sheet. Does that make for a lot of heat?

 

[sailfin3]

When I built my canopy I installed the ballast on the top of the canopy too. Very happy I did. I put them way to the back of the canopy and you can not even see them when you look up there, but my tank bottom sits 38 inches off the floor and than the tank on top of that

 

[skinnyjoe1976]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11687824#post11687824 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MitchReef
I love the idea of the ballasts, etc mounted on the top....What size wiring are you running up to power it all? I have not yet started on my hood and just might steal / borrow / emulate the plan...Also, what are you using for your reflector sheeting? I see that it is a pretty much continuous looking sheet. Does that make for a lot of heat?

14 guage is what will be running to the main outlet which is on it's own curcuit protected with a gfi. the sheeting is 2'x2' flat reflectors that is available online. and the mh reflectors are reef optiplexs. as for the heat issues we will see. ray is running a 1/3hp chiller outside but by tucking the halides and having vent holes on top there should be less heat. and if needed a fan can be installed to pull the heat up.

 

[skinnyjoe1976]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11686531#post11686531 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by thor32766
wow great work looks fantastic!

thank you sir and tangers said you might want pods. if you still do send me a pm

 

[skinnyjoe1976]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11687985#post11687985 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sailfin3
When I built my canopy I installed the ballast on the top of the canopy too. Very happy I did. I put them way to the back of the canopy and you can not even see them when you look up there, but my tank bottom sits 38 inches off the floor and than the tank on top of that

rays setup is the same way. i think it sits like 7 feet total or a little higher but i just wanted to make sure that when you walked in the room. people will wonder where the ballast and all the wiring is for the lights.:eek1:

 

[MitchReef]

Where do ya shop the 2X2 reflector material? I need to look into it....May just be mimicing your set up, but smaller scale....

 

[skinnyjoe1976]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11698232#post11698232 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MitchReef
Where do ya shop the 2X2 reflector material? I need to look into it....May just be mimicing your set up, but smaller scale....

here is the link to marinedepot. others also carry it like innovativelights.com

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~idProduct~CP5751.html