Eggcrate to Keep Fish Inside Tank 3/29/08
I have a 180g reef w/sps, LPSs and softies and 55g refugium running for 2 yrs. Am using t5's and have had great success so far.
<Great!>
Have had problems w/wrasses jumping out.
<This happens.>
My tank is a euro type and I have eggcrate around the sides that do not have glass edges. I have my overflow covered. What kind of cover can I use for the rest of the tank that does not block light.
<More of the eggcrate.>
I have a canopy cover that holds the lights and cooling fans. Have had two Cirrhilabrus Wrasses jump completely out of the tank. These fish are great additions and I would really like to keep them but I don't want to interfere with the sps light situation. The t5's seem to really do a good job. SPS's are not only living, but they are growing!
<The T5’s can grow more than some think!>
Currently have 4 Yellowtail Blue Damsels
2 Engineer Gobies
1 Pink Spotted Shrimp Goby
1 Foxface Rabbitfish
2 Blackaxle Chromis
1 Midas Blenny
1 Bristletooth Tang (flavicauda?)
<That is one variety, see http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ctenocha.htm >
1 Green Mandarinfish
1 Copperband Butterfly
1 Lysmata Amboinensis
Is eggcrate over the entire tank going to inhibit the light to a detrimental degree to the SPS's?
<No, it will work fine.>
I have Acropora, Pocillopora, Montipora Favia,
Favites.
Any help you can give is greatly appreciated.
Roger Tisdale
<Sounds like a nice system, eggcrate will keep everyone where they belong. Welcome, Scott V.>

55 Gal Canopy Weight 3/9/08
Hello. I am building a DIY canopy for my All-Glass 55 gal FW Planted aquarium. I was wondering what is a standard weight limit that I should strive for when finished?
<Not really, obviously not excessively heavy. Brick canopies are out!>
I am using solid red oak, and will have (2) 48" double shoplights mounted inside. I think the final weight will be somewhere around 45#. Should this be ok? Thanks a lot.
<This will be fine, be sure to make the canopy contact along as much as the tank’s edge as possible to avoid points with excessive pressure. Have fun, Scott V.>

Clarifying the use of Egg Crate  1/19/08
Hello,
<Marc>
I was reading a comment Steven Pro made about the use of egg crate. You stated that one way it will intensify the lighting, is this with the taper up or down? One side is thick and one side is thin I believe. Thanks for your help.
-Marc
<The tapered side down, yes. Bob Fenner>

MH Lighting, Acrylic Tank, Very Low Canopy...Not The Best Recipe – 10/18/07 Greetings, <<Morning>> I've found a lot of useful information on your website, but after reading countless FAQs, I still can't come to a decision on lighting for my tank. <<Oh?>> I'm currently in the process of setting up a 400 gallon reef tank (96"L x 30"W x 36"H). <<Cool!...love big reef tanks...have a 375 myself>> I've got just about everything I need except for the lighting. <<Okay>> It's an acrylic Tenecor tank with two 25" x 15" top openings on both sides, with 21" between openings and 13.5" on either side length wise. <<Mine too is a Tenecor built tank, though I had them “customize” mine with three openings in the top versus two to make “lighting” the reef easier...as you are no doubt discovering with that 21”-wide center brace. In retrospect, I wish I had spent a bit more money and had the top thickened and the bracing/perimeter reduced...but I digress...>> I've got about 275 pounds of live rock and a few fish, and the tank has been running for about three months now. I'm currently using a 36" Coralife Aqualight Pro out of my old setup, which has 1x250W HQI lamp, 2x65W CF lamps, and 2x1-watt LEDs. My problem with the new setup is the canopy. I've only got 6" from the top of the acrylic to the bottom of the canopy, which doesn't give me a lot of room. <<Mmm, indeed...and if you are planning to install MH lighting this will be too close and enclosed in my opinion (bulbs will be mere inches from the acrylic)...serious potential for softening the acrylic and causing a catastrophic failure of the tank. I have seen 250w MH lamps placed within 4-inches of ¾” acrylic soften it to the point where a 14”-wide brace would flex with the push of a finger...and these lamps were not “confined” in a canopy. Even if you position the bulbs over the openings on your tank, I think the confines of your very low canopy will hold too much heat. I’m doubtful fans will even be of much help considering the proximity of the bulbs and the containment of the hood>> On top of that, both top sides of the canopy open up independently, so I'm not sure how I could hang a fixture over an opening. <<Not sure I follow this...>> (The openings have acrylic covers, but everything I've read thus far says that the MH lights aren't as efficient shining through the acrylic.) <<Is not a matter of efficiency...”clean” acrylic will allow about 95% light transmission regardless of the light source (and for what it’s worth...regarding reef systems, metal halide gives the most “bang for the buck”...in my opinion). But you don’t want to leave those covers on anyway as they trap heat, reduce evaporative cooling, and, depending on how your system is configured (e.g. - sump/no sump), can prevent adequate gas exchange>> The Coralife light is currently resting on modified legs, with the lights just over 2" away from the top of the acrylic. <<Dangerous...in my opinion>> Any help that you could give me would be greatly appreciated! Great work on the site, and if I left anything out, please let me know. Thanks! Heavy D <<Well Heavy D, your options as I see it are these... You can use the current canopy but with a “cooler running” light source light standard-wattage fluorescent bulbs (will limit stocking organisms with “high” light requirements). These standard-wattage bulbs will still need good ventilation to prevent excessive heat buildup in the canopy. You could consider HO (T5) or VHO fluorescent tubes, but these get “quite hot” and again, the confines of this low built canopy may prove too much... Another option is to abandon this canopy and build/have built one that is “designed” for use with the high-intensity metal halide lighting... A third option is to abandon using a canopy altogether and opt for open suspended lighting such as metal halide pendant fixtures. You don’t state what biotopic representation/type of reef tank you plan to keep...but if you really want to utilize the high heat producing lighting usually associated re...it just doesn’t seem like the canopy you have is going to work with this acrylic tank. Please write back to discuss further if you wish. Regards, EricR>> Re: MH Lighting, Acrylic Tank, Very Low Canopy...Not The Best Recipe - 10/19/07 Thank you for the quick reply. <<Quite welcome>> Your name is a good one, but to set the record straight, it seems that you've spelled it incorrectly. I believe it's spelled with a "K". <<Ha!...perspectives!>> To give you a better idea of what I'm working with, I've enclosed a few pictures. <<Thanks much for this>> Picture 1 is my setup as it sits, without the canopy. <<Okay>> Picture 2 is where my Coralife MH light sits right now, on the modified legs. Not too far above the acrylic... It's 3/4" thick, and I haven't had a problem yet, but I'm pretty sure you have a lot more experience with this kind of thing than I do. <<It may well be fine>> Picture 3 is just an overhead view of the top of the aquarium. <<Mmm, not much “open space” for sure…the bane of the “stock” acrylic tank. Obviously whoever designs these has never had to “work” in one of these tanks…>> I too wish I would have had something a little more "custom" built, as this was a standard Tenecor tank. <<Indeed>> They built the cabinet and the canopy as well. <<I see>> When I ordered it, I didn't really have the intention of building a dedicated reef tank. <<Oh?>> After reading up on the subject and seeing all kinds of pictures, I decided after the fact that it was something I wanted to do. <<Ahhh…the little slice of ocean in your living room… Can be/is very addictive… As said by this 30+ year marine hobbyist who became a “reef-addict” about 17 years ago now…so I do understand the allure>> Probably not the smartest thing, but it is what it is. <<Yup>> The cabinet is too small to house my sump/refugium, (that's all in the crawl space) and the canopy is apparently not tall enough to house MH lights. <<A common problem all around… I do wish manufacturers would design these items with more of an eye toward housing the necessary support systems>> Again, I wish I had something a little different. <<Mmm, how’s that saying go… Hindsight is “always” 20-20…>> As far as the canopy goes, I'd like to use it with my current setup, as taking it off doesn't leave the tank near as aesthetically pleasing. <<Indeed>> It's in a dining /living room area, and I like the way it looks with the canopy on. <<Understandable>> Picture 4 is the canopy, and that's what I meant when I said that both top sides of the canopy open up. That's my only way to get inside the tank, and I don't know how I would suspend something underneath them. Not that 6" gives me any room to suspend something... <<Ugh… I see what you mean. Looks like 36” fluorescent bulbs mounted to each door will be your best option>> When it comes to species, I really haven't decided what I'd like to keep yet. <<This will determine your lighting needs>> Any recommendations that you have would be greatly appreciated. <<I suggest you first research and decide on a specific biotope or niche of the reef you would like to replicate. Stocking organisms from the same ocean and reef habitat/zone/niche can mean much toward long term success>> Again, I don't really want to get rid of the canopy, so if I need a light source that's not going to be bright enough for my setup, I guess I'll have to deal with it. <<If you can get some air flowing through the canopy…T5 HO lighting is worth a try. I doubt you can fit the 4-foot 54w bulbs and end caps on those door panels, so you will have to go with the 3-foot 39w bulbs. I figure you can fit about eight bulbs or more (w/reflectors) per door panel on this 36” deep (wide) tank. The T5s are very nice technology…I have even seen some beautiful European SPS tanks lighted with these bulbs, so…the possibilities/choices for your reef may be broader than you think>> It's been fish only so far, and by the sounds of things, it may have to stay that way. <<Maybe not… I would feel better if the canopy were taller to allow better heat dissipation along with positioning of bulbs (metal halide) further away from the acrylic. But if you can get enough air moving through the canopy through the installation of some fans, the T5 lighting could work out fine>> One more quick question for my current setup... <<Sure>> I've been getting a lot of algae on the front glass. If you look in from the side, you can see that it follows the pattern of where the light shines. <<Typical>> Is this just a case of having the lights on too long during the day? They're on for about 12 hours right now. <<Nope, this lighting period is fine. The algae is likely a result of the newness of this tank (hasn’t found/reached its “balance” yet)>> The light is so bright at night that I've had a few neighbors ask if I currently have a 1.)Botanical garden or 2.)A tanning bed in my living room. <<Hee-hee! When I was building/installing my system (in-wall), and before I had the lighting enclosed, my neighbors and visitors to the house thought I must be growing “Pot” in the living room because the light was so bright!>> Should I cut the lights back to 9 or 10 hours to help with the algae? <<Not my opinion>> I can only assume this will get worse if I add more lights. <<Unless something is amiss with your filtration/feeding/stocking levels, or you’re not filtering your tap water…this will likely pass>> Thanks again! Heavy D (a.k.a. Erik) <<Always welcome…do let me know if I can assist further. Eric Russell>> R2: MH Lighting, Acrylic Tank, Very Low Canopy...Not The Best Recipe - 10/20/07 Thank you again for the advice! <<Hope it was/is of use>> I'll research some lights and I'll send you a picture or two of the finished (although they're never really finished) product. <<I look forward to seeing them>> Gracias, Erik <<De nada, EricR>>

Metal Halide Canopy- How much height from top of canopy to top of light???   8/12/07
Hey all!
I've heard numerous things about making sure you mount your light 9-15" above the top of your aquarium, but how much space should you have between the top of your light and the top of your canopy??
<Mmm, mainly depends on what the canopy is made of (flash point and melting point wise) and how this might be insulated... can be "right next to" if thermally protected, the waste heat reduced through fans...>
I'm custom making a canopy and trying to figure out how tall I need it to be. The light fixture(s) (Reef Optix III 250watt) is 4 inches tall. And I plan on keeping the light around 9-10" from the top of the aquarium. The aquarium is 30 inches deep. So far I only have 1 light, but will probably have a total of 3 eventually.
Thank you!
<Do look into non-corrosive insulation... like foam sheeting... at large hardware stores... Oh, and please have a read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/setup/index.htm
the second tray down... on Canopies... Bob Fenner>

Tank Tops
Hey Guys, Super Job (wise cracks and all):
<Gotta have a laugh now and then, right? Scott F. with you this afternoon>
Thanks for all of your help through this last month of my new journey. I have an All-Glass 55gal. The top is sectioned in half and has the double cover, single bulb combination. First, are they all like that? Could I have gotten a different maker of the same size without this partition/support thing in the middle?
<There are many different configurations on the market, the one you have is fairly common>
I want to replace the standard 40 watt 48" light with something more. I have seen doubles, but are there triples?
<Once again, you can purchase hoods/fixtures in many different configurations>
A triple would give me 120W, just what I would need, right (3watts per gal)?<Depends upon what you're trying to keep; for example, Tridacna clams require intensity that standard fluorescents generally cannot provide. For a fish only tank, or freshwater plants, this may be adequate. Again-largely depends on your animals/plants. Hard to generalize.>
I think I have seen a quadruple, but that would cover the whole top? <In all likelihood, yes, but depends upon manufacturer's specifications>
Can I get two 24" tops so I can leave one side on while I do stuff on the other? <Certainly a possibility-but remember, if your tank is exactly 48 inches wide, there may be some "overhang" on each side from the hoods. Have you considered one of the hanging pendant lighting systems? They are usually available in compact fluorescent and metal halide configurations, and may give you the access and flexibility that you want. Why don't you check out some of our advertisers' web sites for information on the various options available?>
I also want to make my own cover(s); should I use Plexiglas or real glass or something else? And what thickness would be right?<This depends upon the type of light you are using. Lights that burn at high temperatures, such as HQI could damage Plexiglas/acrylic over time. Additionally, some of these lighting systems give off considerable UV radiation, and glass may be more appropriate to shield the inhabitants. Salt creep is another consideration. Much to think about here. Best to consult the tank/lighting system manufacturer and find out what they recommend.>
When I cut slots for the HO filter space, heater and whatever else I need, how tight should they be? A couple of millimeters space or like none? Should I drill holes for air in the top?
<Open tops favor gas exchange, but there are (once again) lots of considerations, such as fish that jump, evaporation, etc. If you are cutting holes for filters, etc, you can allow a little extra space for gas exchange. Not necessary to be air tight-but do think of the aforementioned considerations.>
Sorry, I didn't mean to ramble...thanks!
Rich
<And thank YOU for stopping by!>

Lighting
Hi again,
Currently, I've got 2 x 96 watts power compacts about 2-3" off a glass cover and cool it with a fan, but I don't think the glass cover is such a great idea because it blocks the light, accumulates a lot of salt, and also the canopy gets pretty hot after a few hours. What height would I have to place these lights off the surface of the water to not have the lights so they are still effective, but not ruined by the salt spray?
<I would leave at 2-3 inches off of the water surface and instead attack the source of the salt spray. Remove any venturi airlines on powerheads, lower any spray bars, remove any airstones, use a bubble trap on your protein skimmer, etc.>
Are there better solutions than glass covers?
<Some people use egg crate material to stop fish from jumping out while allowing nearly full light.>
I'd like to grow LPS corals, mushrooms and polyps. Thanks, Ben
<You are welcome. -Steven Pro>

MH and Oceanic canopies
I'm still in the design phase of a 120 gal reef and I have been looking at the Oceanic 120 for the main tank with several Rubbermaid sumps in the basement below (more on this in future questions I'm sure). Do you have any experience with mounting MH bulbs in the Oceanic wood canopies. I appears everything will fit but I'm a little worried about having the bulbs so close to the water surface. The canopies appear to be only 6" or so tall. Thanks, Kenny
<metal halide bulbs closer than 6" to water surface can be challenging... do be sure you will be keeping high light creatures that will favor this. MH though are typically mounted 6-9" off of the water surface... any higher is a waste of light/efficacy. As importantly, with a commercially designed tank, be sure that you get a model with large enough drain holes for a proper reef... too many tanks just have 2-3 holes for 1" pipe or smaller. This will be inadequate for a high light MH tank full of SPS corals that need very strong water flow. Browse through our archives on this subject (overflows) and do a google search of our site as well for such topics... there is much in the archived FAQs here. Anthony>

Egg Crate Material Reference Lighting
Hi Steven,
Just a comment about using egg crate material to cover the tank instead of glass covers. I read somewhere a few years back, that an enterprising student studied the effect of egg crate material on light and discovered by turning the egg crate upside down (opposite of the way they use it in elevators and office buildings) it increased the fluorescent light intensity by almost 30%. Don't know if its true, but I thought I would share. Paul E. Proue of St. Joe Beach, FL
<It is definitely true. Egg crate has distinct top and bottom sides. If you look closely you will notice that there is a slight taper to the plastic. Used one way it blocks out light, the other way it focuses the available light. -Steven Pro>

Re: canopy and light design
I think I'm nearly complete on the canopy and light design and, if you be good enough to make comments on the plan and open items, I'm done.
200 gallon 72L x 24 W x 27H.  I will have clams and SPS corals.
I am having a custom built canopy and stand that will be against but not built into the wall (but will have a built-in look) set two inches away from the wall, so air can travel behind the tank.  So no "back" on the canopy other than the wall.  The front 1/3 of the canopy will fold up on piano hinges and fold back on itself.  The outside height of the canopy will be 14" high.  The canopy will be made out of maple plywood.  The inside of the canopy with be painted with white epoxy.
 The fixture will be a Custom Sea Life retrofit kit 3 x 250 Ushio 10000K MH with VHO (actinics?).  The fixture is about 71" x 12.5" x 2" H.
The fixture will be hung at least 1" from the underside of the roof of the canopy, so the bulbs will be about 10" from the top of the tank.
 Perry at Champion insists that I need a lens cover, acrylic Plexiglas would be fine, hung 2" beneath the fixture.  It seems to me that this would interfere somewhat with access and may not be convenient to hang.
Is it really necessary?
He also believes fans are necessary and that it should be mounted on one end with a finger guard (is that a filter?) on the other end for optimal air flow.  He thinks that the canopy should have a back so that together with lens cover the "heated air" is enclosed and kept away from the water and then sucked out by the fan.  If I had to have a fan I would want it mounted in the top of the canopy?  Do I need one, and if so, where should it be placed?
So I'm still uncertain over fan location and the lens cover.  Can you illuminate these issues?
<< Fan location: Yes you need fan(s). The idea is to keep the air moving to cool the canopy. There are some interest FAQs here http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/setup/lighting/canopyfaqs.htm and beyond about fan placement and if top/back/sides are best. The best placement is such that there are areas of stagnant air. Lens Cover: Excellent idea but acrylic too close to halide = melting!!!! Trap the air??? Never thought about that one. But keeping water spray out of the canopy is a good reason. May use coated glass to cut down on UV. Oh, to my knowledge, a finger guard is a metal protector over the blades of a fan for exactly that reason, guarding your fingers. There may be a foam filter as well>>
As always, your input is valued.
<<Thanks, Don>>
Lawrence M. Benjamin

Cost of a metal halide hood - 2/20/03
Hey <Hi. Paul back atcha'> I would like to know how much would a metal halide hood cost? <Depends on many things, the least of which is the size of your tank, what type of fixture, and brand.> Can you give me some web sites with cheap hoods? Thanks <There are a great many sites to find such. I would first think about what type of animals I plan to keep, what size tank I need to light, then I would look at the following links for information:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marlgtganthony.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/setup/lighting/mhmarfaqs.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/growingcorals.htm After this information has been assimilated, I would just click the various links that are advertised on this site and do a price comparison for the fixture you want. The links are on the right hand side and top of this page as well as here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/WWMAdminSubWebIndex/general_links_pg.htmBe sure to look under Retailers/E-tailers. Hope this helps! Regards Paul>

MH lighting and custom hood.
I have a 60 1/2x18 32deep with 4" crushed coral base 200lbs primo Fiji rock some soft/hard coals urchins, mushrooms, anemone, quite a bite of vegetation.1 1" red abalone didn't know it survived warm water still kicking need to build a top for tank. Daughter keeps putting scuba Steve in tank have glass top don't stop her. so my quest on is what would you do for lighting. Have a Solar Lighting Systems 6' to long 4 tank, with 6 55wat VHO fluorescent. I have access to any type of halide from 175-1000wat. I was thinking of putting 2 250 5500k metal halide and put my 6 55wt all aqua lux in custom hood. Or ma by 4 175wat halide. how high should I place lights from water going to put a 1 piece glass piece in hood with 3 squirrel cage blowers to removes heat. Have all types of interstitial ballast that will work. what is your option on ballasts. should I spend the money and get good ballast like a ice cape or something like that. Have all the ballasts and hook ups in any size to fit a army of tanks. Just need to by special bulbs. Or will the regular halide bulbs work didn't know the cal. on bulbs. have high preacher sodium, mercury vapor liquid cooled&non liquid cooled exa. all interstitial grade. Dad is electrician & has stocked pilled. What would you do?????? I know that probably going to have to buy bulbs, no problem just need to know how height to place off water .plan to have major reef tank. All I know is have to build top to keep hands out so mite as well do it all at once even if not ready yet always leave some lights off for now didn't really want to buy more VHO cost to much. my light was $450.hopping to use what have stocked pilled would like your opinion on situation....
<OK, I see 4 questions here, 1) What ballast to use, 2)Distance of MH from surface, 3)Wattage of bulbs, 4)Temperature (K) of the bulbs. If this is incorrect, let me know. Here goes, 1)The obvious answer is to use a ballast that will properly fire the bulb you get. Not all ballasts will fire all bulbs. Check with the manufacturer. As far as brand is concerned, I have seen ballasts from $40(US) to $200(US) You will have to look at the pros and cons of each and decide 2)8-10" is recommended for Metal Halide and as close as possible for the fluorescent. 3)A 32" deep tank (28 after substrate) with SPS and anemone would benefit from 2 250W bulbs. 4) 5500K will not do. Go to at least 7100K or even 10000K. Ushio and Aqualine/Buschke (AB) are bulb manufacturers recommended by many. BTW, keeping corals and anemones that require such a wide range of lighting needs (corallimorphs to SPS/Anemones) will be very challenging. You might want to rethink your livestock list. Don>

Light Hood and Tank Access
I'm reading The Conscientious Marine Aquarist -- very good information.
<Yes, an asset to anyone in the hobby>
My question is a practical one.  I have a 55 gallon tank (48X13X20).  I have a Hamilton oak light hood (halide/CF) which is 50X12X7.5.  It covers most of the top of the tank.  I cannot hang the hood from above.  I can't scoot the hood back because of the hoses/cords hanging over the back lip of the tank.  Can you think of a workaround so that I can access the tank daily for feeding, etc.  without having to lift the hood and setting it on the floor?  I also use glass canopies, half of which folds up to access the tank.  I can't move the hood enough to fold up the canopy.  Is there a way to make a miniature, say 4X4, opening or door in the front right of the glass canopy or use a plastic canopy and make a little door?  That way I could perhaps move the hood enough to get access to a little opening.
<Yes, this is why customized and DIY hoods are popular. If your glass top is similar to others I have seen, it has a plastic strip that acts as a hinge between the two pieces of glass right? You should be able to remove the smaller piece (normally the front) by sliding it out of the hinge. Any glass shop should be able to cut the glass to give you what you want. Or, you could replace the smaller piece of glass with plastic eggcrate to give access to the tank. Eggcrate is used as a diffusion panel in overhead lighting. It is sold by home/hardware stores in 2ft x 4ft panels. Hope this gives you some ideas, Don>
Lifting it off weekly is not a problem, but lifting it off daily or twice a day is tedious and increases the risk of breakage.
Am I the only one that has problems with a hood that covers the entire top of the tank?  I've never read this question anywhere.
<Certainly not the only one. I have seen some very clever uses of drawer slides and hinges used for the tops of chests that solve the problem. Most of these designs are on DIY sites so you would have to be pretty handy with woodworking tools to accomplish some of these.>
Thanks,
Randy

Re: metal halide cover
hello, <Hi Eric, PF here tonight> I am building a new canopy for my 55 gallon tank. It will house 2 175 w MH with Ushios and a 55w actinic power compact. My question is should I have any glass protecting the bulbs from splash <I'd say yes, and as UV filters too.>, and how high should the halides be off the water? <10" - 12" is standard from what I've read/done.> Also I am switching over from all fish to a reef, I had 65 lbs of live rock and a tomatoe clown in this tank, I have a sump with 10 lbs of miracle mud with bio balls in the water. I cannot seem to get nitrates under 40 <Yipes!> I do regular water changes, the tank has been set up for about 2 years, thanks
<Well, MM should be used with a nutrient export method: i.e. macroalgae. The official EcoSystem method advises Caulerpa, but I'm not fond of Caulerpa as it causes to many problems. IMO Chaetomorpha is a much better choice. You didn't mention a skimmer on your system, also you might want to look into using a DSB to help reduce your nitrates.>

Distance from lights 3/25/04
I am building a canopy for my 90 gallon tank...I have purchased a DIY kit with 2x250 metal halides and 2x46.4 inch VHO's
What would be the ideal height I would want each light from?  I have heard that the metal halides should be 6 inches and VHO's 2 or 3?  Does it really matter?
<It isn't super critical.  The closer to the water you get, the more light you will get into the tank, but there are practical limits in terms of splash risk and being able to work in the thank.  The distances you stated are reasonable ideal goals, but you will likely find that a bit higher is more practical, and that is fine.  I would recommend staying within about 10" of the surface, though.  Best Regards.  Adam>

The Dreaded Hex! 
>hello! 
>>Greetings. 
>first time "question asker" kind of a beginner with saltwater tanks. 
Here's the dillio. I have a 30 gallon hex (was a free gift) with over 30 lbs of live rock, a wavemaker, and a filter (soon to be replaced by a protein skimmer 
[SeaClone 100]), recently added a cleanup crew of some hermits and emerald and sally light foot crabs, and bubblers (do I need to get rid of those??). 
>>The emerald (a.k.a. Mithrax) and Sally Lightfoots (one of three possible species), you very well may need to. Not always known for being polite customers. As for the bubblers, the salt creep they generate will help you along with your decision one way or the other. 
>Well the main question I have is!! . . . what can I do for some great lighting? I don't want to do a metal halide because I plan on moving in probably 5 months 
from now (or my roommate probably won't approve of how it looks hanging from the ceiling as it does) and there are no compacts that can fit with the top of the 
tank being 20" across. I recently found an Aqualight Deluxe 20" exuding 96 watts. Should I just go with it or is there someone out there that can take this hex to other places than 3 watts per gallon. 
>>Well, I don't see why you can't go with power compact fluorescents at all. You'll be somewhat limited as to what you can keep in terms of photosynthetic creatures, but you may be able to create a "bank" of lights, or go with the MH lights post-move anyway (5 months in terms of setting up a reef and getting it going really isn't a very long time). 
>I don't really want to put in that much time making a hood with a compact. I'd rather buy another tank than do that, but are there other stories I can hear about overcoming the dreaded Hex? Can someone just make me a hood and sell it to me on eBay, please?!?! 
>>I'm sure someone could, but you'd have to ask them. 
>p.s. the top is glass (looks custom made) -Michael 
>>Right, well, there you have it. Or, stick with entirely non-photosynthetic animals and you'll have no worries on the lighting front. Marina

Metal Halides above water - 11/22/04
Hello, <Hey Brent!>
     I have a 55 gallon aquarium that I'd like to add metal halides.  Since my canopy is 7 inches, about 6 inches off of the surface of the water, it seems through reading the FAQs that I'll have to build a custom canopy.  Can you tell me how high the canopy should be?  <Well it is more important to note how high the recommendation for halides to be above the surface of the water. I would suggest 7-10 inches above the water (minimum) and definitely incorporate a fan or two into the canopy for cooling and moving the trapped heat out of the canopy. Do search the internet (via Google, Dogpile, or Yahoo) for DIY canopies. See if there are any helpful DIY plans available. Good luck ~Paul)
Thanks,
-Brent

Building your own metal halide system and canopy
Hi crew,
I hope all is well, and if its not, I hope it gets better.
I just finished building my own canopy to house my metal halide  system.  It is built out of pine.  My MH are complete DIY, with a  reflector.  Do 250 HQI's get hot enough to warrant some insulant between  the reflectors and the wood( I spent hours making it, don't want it to turn to  ashes just yet)? << I don't think so, but I would certainly have fans in there for water heat reasons, and I guess for wood heat reasons. >>
Is painting the inside of my canopy white sufficient to reflect  light? << No way!  For about $10 you can buy fantastic reflectors which make all the difference in the world.  Best money you will spend on your tank. >>
I also want to address everyone who asks a question to you guys.   There is a donation area to keep these guys up and running.  I figure about  1-2 dollars for every email you send to this site is more than worth it.   The information is invaluable, and it will keep them here.  I figure I have  asked about 10 questions this year, so I'll be sending them $20.  It is  expensive to run a site, so let's all chip in!!! << Well that is awful nice of you.  I think that is a little high, and I feel bad seeing you pay that much.  I think $.02 is fine (like asking for my two cents on something).  You know if you really want to, write in a question about advertising for a certain price (I have no idea how much) Cesnales will put an add for you on our site.  We appreciate the donations, and we are here to help. >>
Thank you crew.
James P
Rhode Island
<<  Blundell  >>

Building your own metal halide system and canopy continued
The metal halides will have a polished reflector.  Would covering the remaining interior of the canopy with silver Mylar work? << Not really.  I did this on a tank once.  It was great for about 8 months but eventually the salt creep just ate it away.  A polished aluminum reflector is definitely the way to go, and I wouldn't worry about using anything else. If you can, just use more of it. >>
Thanks again.
James
<<  Blundell  >>

- Canopy Completion -
Hi crew - <Hi.>
Hope all is well, my next step is to wire a direct hotline to you guys to save on typing. <Can it be a 900 number?> I cannot thank you and your website enough for the  information provided while upgrading my tank.
Lighting is the only part I am uneasy about.  I have upgraded from  PC's to HQI halides. I have built my own canopy- and I would sleep better if I get your approval/suggestions on it- <Ok.>
It's going to be a 90 gallon tank, with mixed corals, a lot of LPS and  SPS. My lighting is DIY HQI- 2-250w with Ushio 10,000K bulbs.  Since I don't really want a suntan (Irish), I will be sealing the top half of the  canopy (where the bulbs are) with 1-inch glass. <One inch? Won't that be incredibly heavy?> The bulbs will be about 10  inches off the surface when installed.  Under the glass- I will have 2-80  CFM fans blowing through the canopy.  Above the halides, I will have 2- 30  CFM fans blowing upwards.
Directly above the halides will be a polished aluminum reflector. The  rest of the canopy will be coated in silver Mylar reflective covering.
I installed a dual closed loop system in the canopy, but I am confident in the plumbing area.  I am kind of seeking a "stamp of approval" on my setup, and any suggestions would be helpful. <Sounds good to me. Make sure your plans to "seal the top" of the canopy and lighting don't make the canopy too heavy to maintain OR make it impossible to swap out bulbs. Other than that, it all sounds good.>
The info you provide to the general public on fishkeeping is more than helpful.  You guys (and gal) have guided me through a complete overhaul of my tank.
Thank You.
James P
Providence, RI
<Cheers, J -- >

Hood Options, Hex Tank 1.8.05
<Hello, Ryan with you today.>
Ok, every time I look at your site, which is a lot, I find myself with another question; well here goes.  My 44 gal. Pentagon tank has fairly insufficient lighting, only two 15W fluorescent bulbs for a 25'' deep tank.  Problem is the hood that came with my tank is unable to support any other lighting system.  So I went to my hardware store and made my own hood out of 1/8" thick Plexiglas.
I can only fit at most a 20"Lx6"W lighting system on top.
<Have you considered using a MH pendant?>
I only wish to boost my coralline growth, but I was thinking of the Satellite light fixtures(?), I forget the proper name at the moment, which is only 10W more powerful than what I have now, but much more light will be able to enter the aquarium.
<I have used the fixtures you're thinking of.  They worked well for a moderately lit tank.>
Anyways, is Plexiglas a very good material for this purpose, and if so, would the light system be flush with the Plexiglas hood, or rest above it so that the lights are approx. 3" or so above the hood.
<I'd give a bit of room for air- And hands, etc.>
Thank you so much and sorry for flooding your mailbox with questions.  Thanks again!
<No problem!  Ryan>
-David Hume

DIY Hood And Lighting
Greetings To The Best Knowledge Base Around!
I have read many of you faq's on lighting and am narrowing down a setup that is right for my pets.  I am an employee of Lowe's home improvement and naturally I have been looking through our lighting dept.  I have decided upon constructing a hood from wood to match my stand, and plan to add five fluorescent bulbs- Four 10000k Ocean Sun 32 watt T-8 and One Coral life actinic blue 40 watt T-12.  all 48" bulbs with the T-8's on a four bulb ballast, and the T-12 on a single T-12 ballast.  I had planned on mounting the ballasts in the tank stand away from the hood.
<And carefully... away from where waste heat might cause troubles>
This is for a 55 gallon 48"x18"x12".  
<Mmm, s/b 13" wide... or my memory is bunked out... again>
I have not seen much talk about using these type bulbs for corals or anemones, only the halides and other high-dollar setups.  Will my lighting plan satisfy a bubble-tip or some types of corals?
Thank you for any suggestions.
<Will... but "barely"... however sufficient from my point of view. As you will come to understand, you could bring to bear much more photonic energy here... but, there are downsides to driving photosynthesis... these are covered in the extreme in archived FAQs on WWM. Bob Fenner>

Aquarium lighting
I currently have a 55 gallon tank (standard) with 4 x 55 watt PC. Two are 10000K white and the other two are 03 actinic blue. I know that this amount of light limits some types of corals I can keep, so I recently upgraded to 2 x 175 w MH. I plan on building a canopy and incorporating all of the lighting under this canopy. First of all I was wondering if you knew of any good canopy plans for such a common size tank.
<Hello Corey. I'd copy one of the nicer hoods from a dealer. I would suggest a hood where the whole top opens which makes it easier to clean the tank without having to take the hood off.> 
I think I am leaning towards suspending it from the ceiling to avoid having to buy a chiller. Also do you think this would be too much light? 
<Definitely not too much light.> 
I would like to keep lower light loving species as well (i.e. mushroom coral). Another option I was considering was taking apart my PC fixture (same one as described above) and assembling it into a hood for my 15 gal. tall sitting beside my other tank. I have some anemones and corals in both tanks that would enjoy a lighting upgrade. What would be a good way to "divvy up this light" so to speak. I also have a spare 48 in 40 watt 50/50 fixture I plan to throw in the mix.
<I would use one 10K with an actinic. James (Salty Dog)>  Thanks, Corey 

Lights in a Canopy?
Good day,
I have been reading through this site for several weeks now and think that it is really a wonderful forum. Thank you to everyone that participates and shares their skill.
<Welcome>
I have about 30 years in freshwater and I am starting my first marine tank this year. I have a lighting question that I have not found in the archives. I built a stand and canopy for a 48" 90 gallon AGA drilled tank. The more I research lights the less I want the bulbs fixed to the top lid (retrofit kits) do you see a problem with using one of the common aluminum fixtures inside the canopy (like the Aqualight)?
<Mmm, for marine use, yes... the aluminum reacts with seawater, the residue from this is toxic to livestock>
There is about 8" across the back for airflow and 8" of height inside. I plan on one 4" fan as a pusher and one as an exhaust in the canopy I would prefer MH on the tank but the common thread that I am reading is that they are so hot I would (or should) be worried about them starting the canopy on fire (it is oak).
<Mmm, can be fitted with a non-metallic thermal buffer, reflector behind, twixt the wood, fixture>
I was able to find a manufacturer that will put six 96-watt PC bulbs in an aluminum housing. I believe this will allow me some good options for more light hungry inverts. What are you opinions on enclosing MH in a canopy?
<This is posted... can be done... with cooling fans>
If I go the PC route I was thinking about four 10k bulbs and two 50/50s, do you think that would allow room for
growth down the road?
<Also posted... I am a bigger fan of boosted fluorescent technology than metal halide in water depths (not tank note) of less than two feet... Others opinions here vary>
Is lighting the most bewildering subject or do I have another surprise coming Filters seem easy by comparison?
<Heeee! You'll see. Do make sure that whatever fixture you employ is resistant to marine water. Bob Fenner>