Lighting upgrade need to support Maxima's

[graffyn]

I need help, my little brain is burnt out

I have researched my brains out, now I am just asking the experts for advice. I currently have a 90 gal with 260 W PC lighting housing 2 Squamosa's and a Deresa with no problems.

I want to upgrade my lighting with Metal Halide to support Maxima's and Crocea's. Attached is a picture which shows my dilemma, I have a canopy top that only has a 4" clearance from the top of the tank, the one pic shows a 48" csl PC (2x65) that is 4.5" high and the top barely closes. I do not wish to remove the canopy.

I am looking at a Aquastarlight Future 2x150 hqi pendant (48x3x5) or anything that will work with this situation. Problem is:
1. Height, This fixture would only be 3" above the water
2. Too close to the water
3. Heat build up
4. Must I put the glass tops back on?
Would this fixture be ok? The canopy is Ventilated and open in the back.



Thanks, I would really like to get some Maxima's but want to do it right.

[Pineapple House]

Likely MH lighting will not work with only a 3" canopy. The reflectors alone (if you dicide to use them) would be around 4" at its minimum, let alone lighting.

I would get a new canopy. DIY canopy's would be quite easy to make, costing you around $85.00 to make, maybe even less. With a 12" canopy, metal halides will not be even the slightest problem (Although you should use 2, 4" fans on either side). With the current canopy you have now, the metal halides would nearly be touching the water. Any slight splash could result in disaster.

It would be worth it to go with a new hood/canopy when having MH lights. I know likely that's not what you wanted to hear, but I know it needed to be said :(

On a last note, Welcome to reeflounge (Kinda, I see you regestered a while ago)! Hope you enjoy your stay here!

PH =)

[graffyn]

Sadly I know, but the canopy is about 6-7" high and the aquastar fixture is only 3" high, so that leaves it about 3" above the water line and this fixture does have a shield. So I am hopeful that this might work for me.

My last ditch effort to have Maxima's or I continue with Squamosa's and Deresa's. Not that that is a bad thing, I love my little guys :D