75 Gallon lighting system

crazykuzco · 03-23-2008, 06:59 PM

I just bought a 75g aquarium I would like to try growing live plants in. Could someone please help me pick out a retrofit kit, or a already made lighting system that can go under my canopy? I plan on doing a 48" bulb or 2 in the back and 2-24" bulbs in the front. Or I can do all 24". I would like to incorporate some moonlights too. I have about $500 (I may be able to get more) and no idea where to start. Money isn't really a problem, but like most people, I don't want to spend more than I need to. What are your suggestions? I tried doing research, but it's really overwhelming. From what I have read, I think T-5 HO or Compact Florescent may be for me.

What do you use? I'd love to see pictures if you would be willing to do that. Especially if it's a retrofit system.

crazykuzco · 03-23-2008, 07:32 PM

This light looks good for the back. I can rest it on the tank itself. I'd like to mount it to the top of the aquarium with some fans, but I'm not sure the light can operate that way.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...0&pcatid=16770

Or maybe this one. It says not to use the adjustable mounting legs with a canopy. What about the regular legs? or can I attach it to the canopy? If so how?

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...71&pcatid=9871

I really like this one. And it can be mounted under a canopy. There are even brackets specifically for it. I think my canopy is well ventilated. It has an open back and the slants on the top. What do you think?

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...5&pcatid=13975

las4444 · 03-24-2008, 12:21 PM

I'm not going to be able to help you decide on what type of light but may be able to help in mounting it.

This is basically what I did in my DIY hood project. I do not see where you would need fans with this hood. Below is a link on my project. I had no ventilation with 260 watts of lighting so I added a fan. I ran the house up to 75F one day and the tank temp held steady. I keep my house at 72F in the summer so tested on the high side. If summer proves me wrong I will add one more fan. If you were going to do 24" you would just need to add an additional rail in the middle.

http://www.fishtankforums.com/28-diy...eted-less.html (DIY canopy completed less a few bugs)

crazykuzco · 03-24-2008, 12:55 PM

WOW!!! I really liek your idea. I like the thought about being able to slide the unit back and forth. GENIOUS!! I never would have thought about that. The back to my canopy is open. I think I'll figure out how to put is a fan or 2. Thanks again for the idea.

las4444 · 03-24-2008, 01:49 PM

One thing I must add. Use a small enough rail so the light will not fall out when pushed in either direction but will allow you to open the top glass. This would mean standing a 1x2 on with the 2" to the canopy(East/West. In my drawing I did it back wards. This would leave the 1x (3/4") (North/South) on both sides to set you light on. You want to make sure you can open the glass.

crazykuzco · 03-24-2008, 07:28 PM

Cool, thanks. I probably would have messed it up had you not put that on there.

las4444 · 03-27-2008, 08:34 AM

Here is a photo of my rail. Rather than wood, I used 3/4" quarter round that was plastic. I figured it would hold up better to the moisture. This Will help you visualize the project.

crazykuzco · 03-28-2008, 10:55 PM

That looks like the light I bought. Anywho, I got some sealer for the wood pieces that I am putting on the canopy. I also got some pvc pipe stuff to replace my intake/outtake of my canister filter. Thanks again for your help.