Lighting a 26 Bowfront Part II

[bigbris1]

OK, I decided to sell the Coralife fixture & get this T5 Retro Kit. I was able to pick up 2 extra Workhorse 5 ballasts from Josh (grundig5) so that I can control the bulbs individually. He also gave me 2 Giesemann actinic bulbs.

I ordered 1 TRU 10,000K & 1 UVL Super Actinic bulb with the kit.

Now the dilemma is whether or not to do 2 or 3 bulbs?? I don't have room for 4. Or just do 2 & overdrive each bulb since I'm using 2 seperate ballasts?

 

[bigbris1]

Just finished building my canopy & installing 2-24W Giesemann Actinic Plus T5s. O...M....G!!!!

I am totally blown away with the output of these bulbs & the colors of my corals, they look unreal. Even my wife just stared at the tank.

Hopefully the other reflector will come early next week so I can rin the TRU 10,000K in the middle for daylight.

My tank looks like something out of Willy Wonka's collection. I just wish one of my crappy cameras would see what I see.

 

[NYAUX]

Can You Show A Pic Of Your Canopy..looking For Ideas On How To Build One ..

 

[bigbris1]

I didn't take any pics yet but it basically looks like this drawing:

 

[grundig5]

Glad the bulbs worked out, cant wait to see an actual pic of your handywork. Probably much neater looking than mine

 

[bigbris1]

Yours is really nice, especially the way you have it floating. I almost changed my plans

The bulbs are great, I haven't even opened my UVL Super Actinis yet, those Giesemanns really blow me away. I just hope the colors of the corals stay the same.

Thanks for hooking me up!!!