Due to the deep dimensions of my tank I was not getting adequate lighting to the front or back of my tank and instead had a super bright spot right in the middle. I decided to build a new fixture that would utilize Lumenarc Minis to hopefully spread the light more towards the back and the front. I definitely didn't want a canopy that sat on top so I decided to build a hanging canopy.
Specs:
2x250W Reeflux 12K MH driven by Lumatek Dimmable ballasts in two Lumenarc Minis
2x39W T5 ATI blue plus
2x39W T5 UV 454
All T5s are in Tek II reflectors and are driven by an Icecap 660
Thanks to Matt, Mhart032, we were able to wire in all the lighting and get it up and running this evening. I must say this thing is awesome! In fact it may be to bright. The wife is already making comments about needing sunglasses and a hat while sitting in the living room. I'll have to figure a way to remedy this, but for now we can all deal with it just fine. The light spreads perfectly across the water surface and there is not a dark spot in the entire tank. I am going to try and lower it down over time, but I don't currently run a chiller so I might have some heat issues if I go to low.
Now for the only part anyone cares about.....Pictures! The first three pictures are of the tank with the old fixture. The rest are the new fixture and it running. Also, as always the pictures don't do this any justice.