Idea: Open Top BC29

I don't often find well executed open top BC29's. So, if you've got pics and thoughts post 'em up please.

Here's my thoughts on the issue:

1. The rear chambers need a cover for sure. Preferably with the stock hood fans implemented to allow serious lighting in even a 75 degree house.

2. Light cannot be longer than 20" otherwise it hangs over and generally looks sub par IMO. That leaves us with three non pendant options.

A. Current USA 6 Bulb 20" Housing T5's Current USA Nova Extreme Pro T5 Aquarium Lighting Fixture, 6X18 Watt, 20 inch There is the option of a dawn and dusk effect with two seperate ballasts. But... No moonlights. Wouldn't be that tough to get something cool going in the housing but then warranty is shot before you even install it.

B. Sunpod 150w and 250w 20" with LED's 20 Inch Double Ended Metal Halide Fixtures with Moon Lights Awesome option but heat threatens with this setup and the lack of real actinic is a negative for me.

C. Maxspect 110 Maxspect Aquarium Programmable LED Lighting Very new technology which seems promising but there just isn't a lot of time on these things yet. Awesome control it seems from other reefers.



And for ****s lets throw the non existent option out there.

D. 20" 150W HQI with 4 moonlights and two 18w t5's. Why doesn't someone make this.


I've been contemplating this issue for several months as spring rolls around and threatens with 81 degree tank temps. In that time the new Maxspect G2 has arrived and made me think that if I can gather $700 go for it.


For reference here's a pic of the setup right now.

 

Why not DIY option D? Buy a 2 X 18" Coralife fixture and an HQI and make your own hood from the parts.

 

Cause it would look shoddy even with my best effort IMO. Lookin for the crisp, clean, pro look in the form of open top lighting.

 

No other thoughts? Recently I'm considering staying closed but going with a 70w hqi

 

ive got my bc29 with the 6 bulb t5 by current usa and love it. i can post a pic if u want. let me know

 

Hey, that tank looks really nice there!

 

I run an open top BC29 with no problems. Granted I have a 24" fixture so I have a little overhang but it doesn't bother me at all.

 

Yeah NU2 Reef I saw those. That looks amazing. Do you have more FTS's with all the lights on? What is your bulb layout?

 

here are some shots. just to give you an idea on this system.

unfortunately, the bulb layout cant get anymore sophisticated than what stock bulbs offer on this 20" fixture.3x actinic and 3x10k. current usa are the only people who makes t5ho bulbs for this size fixture. but the output is perfect for our cubes because they are not all that deep. and absolutely no heat issue. in fact i need to employ another heater to keep the temp up in the winter.

only down side is not having moonlights. but it wont be hard or expensive to attatch a few


here is the fts.


a side shot so you could see how wide this is on the bc29, also to show the chambers at the back.


and one for height reference and length compared to cube.


any questions feel free to ask. my cube runs fairly basic. nothing fancy

 

Wow! That looks absolutely awesome man. Does the light spillover bother you at all? Next time you take a round of pics could you snap a zoomed out one of the ambiance...? My tank is on my kitchen table so I'm forseeing it being kinda annoying to have the glaring light right at eye level when you're eating.