More Lights!!

[Mokick]

Presently I have only 24 watts from one 10k combo pc for my 15 gallon nano-cube. The light comes from a JBJ clamp on fixture. I would like to double or triple that with something that will just sit on my tank, not necessarily something I can "install" into the canopy itself. I am actually eyeing a Helios 15" retrofit kit with 2 24-watt bulbs. What is a "retrofit" kit? Can I use one of these without any modifcations? I found this site and thought the 2x24 retrofit kit that is only 15" across would work for me.

http://www.commodityaxis.com/index2.htm

Can I take this, plug it in, and place it right on top of my tank, then cover it up with the canopy that I have? Is this dangerous considering the fixture would be sitting on my acrylic tank?


15 gallon seacube (USAquarium) acrylic aquarium
live sand
20-25 lbs live rock
Two Percula Clowns
CPR BakPak
chemical media chamber
24 watt 10k combo clamp on pc

Please help me this newbie!

[Condiman]

A retrofit is a light setup that is made to fit in most canopys of square tanks. I know with mine I had to modify due to my tanks shape. With retros if the measurements come out right to fit in your canopy you should be able to screw it into your existing canopy and plug it right in.

[jman785]

If all goes bad, you can always make a little something, and hang it from chains, so if you get new corals, you can adjust the exposure to light they get by moving the light, up or down the chain :)

[Condiman]

I would like to do that with my MH setup. But try explaining to the wife why you have chains hanging from the ceiling. :evil: :evil: :evil: :beatdown: :censored:

[jman785]

Yeah that is definitely true Brad. haha

How's the kid doing by the way?


Another way to fix your dilemma Brad, is to:

1. Keep the reefs in the garage.

2. Keep the reefs in a shed or a green house.

3. Keep them in rooms where the wife won't mind remodeling.

4. Don't get married.

:0)

[Mokick]

My tank is similar to the one below (ha..i wish my tank looked that good). Can I screw in a retrofit kit into that black acrylic cannopy? Or would I need some kind of adhesive?

[jman785]

What are the dimensions of your canopy?

[Mokick]

16"x16"x4"h

Do you think its possible to add this retrofit kit to this ..even tho its a black glossy canopy? Would heat be a problem?

[MikeS]

I couldn't get the link to work...but I'm assuming the retrofit kit you are looking at is a PC, right?

It could be a heat problem in an enclosed canopy like that...but a fan and some vents should more than take care of that....

Mike

[Mokick]

hmm.. not sure why the link didnt work, works for me. Anyways, the kit is is 15" in length and includes 2 24-watt bulbs. I'd like to add this under my canopy in addition to the clamp-on fixture (JBJ) that came with the tank (another 24 watts).

I was hoping to avoid fans (one of the reasons I moved towards a smaller tank with less lighting). If fans became necessary with the added 48 watts, I think I'd probably lean more towards a metal halide pendant and do away with all the pc's.

[MikeS]

PCF's run pretty hot...much hotter than the VHO's in my PCF/VHO combo...I'd say you'd need a fan for that setup in an enclosed hood.

Mike