Oceanic 72G/90G Bowfront Canopy

[dela]

Does anyone know if the Oceanic 72G/90G black Bowfront Canopy can handle some metal halide lighting? I'm thinking 2x250 + 1x150.

I think the standard model comes with a plastic top, but I'm not sure if it's a heat resistant plastic or if one would have to replace it all together.

What do you guys think?

I believe the canopy is like 8" tall.

 

[bearpeidog]

I have the 90 Oceanic hood (wood). I just put two 250Watt MH into the hood. I got the Spider reflectors (which are HUGE) and had to trim off the outsides of the reflector (about 4 inches). They don't recommend bending them.

Technically you are suppose to mount them perpendicular to the back wall but there is NO way that was going to happen. I can shoot some pics if you want - just let me know.

Ballasts are external from the hood.

BTW - I also put 2 fans in each end of the hood.

 

[dela]

Do you have the cherry version? I know that one has a wood top to it. I'm pretty sure they have at least two models... One with a wood top and one with a plastic top. And I'm pretty sure my tank is coming with the one with out a wood top.

Well today I'm going to the store to see what was ordered. They said they could provide me with a custom canopy, but those are a lot more expensive.

After I get it I'll post some pics.

Where did you mount your ballasts? I'd like to keep this looking clean.

Thanks

 

[bearpeidog]

Mine is the red oak.

The ballasts are in an oak power box that I built (not quite finished yet). So I have just the power cords coming out from the hood, which would be the case if they were mounted in the hood or out of the hood.

The ballasts will eventually be moved to the basement. With the icecap e-ballasts you can run about 30 feet from ballast to bulb. I did have trouble finding the correct wire - has to be rated for 600V.

 

[dela]

Well, this canopy is plastic. It will be quite a DIY challenge to get this to work. I think I will have to build a thin metal frame that sits on top of the tank. Then the canopy will fit over the frame.

I'm pretty sure if it's done right, I can keep from melting the canopy. Kind of dissapointed though considering how much I paid for it, that it's all plastic. Especially for Oceanic. Guess that's what I get for not buying the oak.

As far as the ballasts go, 30' sounds really far. You may find you have starting problems. Some ballast manufacturers consider the remote distance to be the wire lenght. So 30' would really mean 15' there and back. I've run into this before with the 4-lamp fluorescent ballasts.

I'm thinking of putting my ballasts under the cabinet and use a cord and plug approach to plug the fixtures into the ballast. That way I can remove the canopy, remove the independent lighting structure, and not have to deal with hard wired electrical components.

I wonder how well that would work.