canopy build lighting diy + pick sugg

I am picking up a 75 g this week. There is a stand included which I will be modifying a bit building a platform so it stands taller and replacing the doors.. other than that it should look good. I am going to build a canopy. I want an open top, no glass. I think want to put 4 VHO icecap's in initially. Probably save up and add another 2 eventually. A couple of questions.. 1. below is my rendition of what I want the canopy to look like... open all around for about 5" just above the tank top with some kind of lattice protection for jumping fish. Will this be ok with providing enough air circulation for cooling the lights I will also use fans for the lights.

question 2 -- I don't want to do sps, but do want soft and lps. Instead of VHO's would 6-8 HO T5's work for me?

question 3 -- How far from the open water should my lights sit? Do you need to have an acryllic splash guard or is it ok if water splashes on the bulbs.

thanks, A

 

Well, if you get an Icecap 660 you can do the VHO and then when you're ready, you can do overdrive some T5's. (I would recommend the Sunlight Supply Retrofits). That way you don't need to buy a ballast all over again.

It's not good to have water splashing on bulbs.....that's why there's waterproof endcaps for VHO's. The T5's burn cooler but you still don't want splashing on the metal connectors at the end.

 

I have a 65 gal tank and have 4 x 39W T5's and 175W MH. I run the T5's for 10 hours and the MH for 4 hours. I prefer T5"s over VHO for two reasons, One they are cooler and two they are cheaper to replace. They also have a higher output per watt than a VHO so I've read. If you get 4 X 54W T5's and one 250W MH or 6 or 8 54W T5's you'd be in good shape for about $300 to $400. I'm getting a 120 gal 48X24 and I'm going to set it up similar. If that sounds interesting go to the two webpages below from ebay and check them out. I bought 2 36" T5 retrofits from this same seller and simply drilled holes in the aluminum to attach it to my canopy. The Metal Halide is similar to the one I have which came with this used setup I have.
I hope you realize that the heavy duty lights are going to shine out the sides of your canopy and may interfere with any TV set in the area or to people that are sitting nearby. I would leave it flush so it does the job it's suppose to do. I put a 3" fan in the side of the canopy and my temperature stays between 78-80. I do have central air and run my house at 70 degrees usually. I have moonlights which I really like so I can view my tank at night. If you want any help just let me know. As far as the bulbs getting water on them... personally I don't worry about that because retro kits are open without a plastic shield because they are set higher than regular light kits. Good Luck!
T5 strips
48'' 2X 54 T5 HO Retro Aquarium Light Brand New + BULBS - eBay (item 180317164440 end time Jan-08-09 21:33:55 PST)
Metal Halides
250W Metal Halide/MH Retrofit Ballast/Mogul Reflector - eBay (item 300268090005 end time Jan-20-09 04:49:14 PST)

 

yes I was thinking overdriven T5's with the icecap. How high off the water do the lights need to be?

also, would I be able to just mount a fixture inside like a Tek 6 bulb instead of having a retro fit? I would have a fan in the canopy.