Hanging Lights v. Lights inside canopy..how many of you

[FrankB1]

Hang your lights with an open tank top? What do you see as advantages and disadvantages with the open arrangement?

 

[ChrisRD]

I run a hanging fixture over an open-top tank. A few of the advantages I can think of:

1) Less heat build-up = no chiller
2) More evaporation = more kalkwasser top-off
3) Easy access to the tank

A couple of disadvantages could be:

1) Easier for a fish to jump out
2) Easier to accidentally drop/get something in the tank
3) Easier for kids to get access to the tank and/or it's inhabitants

 

[M.E.Milz]

I think Wolfman sums it up well. I use a DIY hanging fixture above my 360. However, I built a soffet (sp?) onto the ceiling to hold all the ballasts and timers, and to make the tank look more built in. The light fixture is suspended from threaded rods that are connected to the bottom of the soffet. This arrangement allows me to slide the light fixture towards the back to increase access into the tank.

As for the fish jumping problem, you can always add glass covers.

 

[Anonymous]

I now have a 16 inch tall canopy on my 150 and I would never go back to an open top. The canopy is tall enough that I can get everywhere inside the tank without taking it off, I can leave odds and ends on the permiter bracing on the top of the tank and it gets hidden by the canopy, and I can store stuff on top of the canopy. All in all I think the canopy give the tank a more finished look and it helps the tank look finished and less jury rigged.

RR

 

[liquid]

Another option is to hang your entire hood from the ceiling (which is what I plan to do). I will be building my hood to house 2x250 watt Iwasaki's in diamondlight reflectors along w/ 2x95 watt VHO actinics. I will then suspend my hood from the ceiling using the following pulley system:

http://www.autosportcatalog.com/index.cfm?fa=p&pid=608

The nice thing about this setup is that all of your lights are completely enclosed in a nice looking hood and you can raise/lower your entire hood with one rope. The above pulley system also has a auto-engaging clutch to keep your hood from falling if you accidentally lose grip of the rope. Pretty cool stuff.

Shane

 

[ChrisRD]

Shane:

A cool fringe benefit of that system is that you'll be able to move your lights up/down if need-be to acclimate stuff to your lighting, huh?

 

[liquid]

Yes, that would be another benefit of a setup such as the one I'm putting together. My plan is to document how I did it as I'm sure others will benefit from what I learn with it.

Shane

 

[dtiedke]

Liquid,

Please keep us updated on your progress. I am trying to come up with a design exactly like yours, and would love to see any drawings, pictures, etc you have when you finish. BTW, I have then same lighting setup, except I have 4 95w insteat of 2. What size tank are you building this for?


Dave

 

[Anonymous]

If built properly, the canopy can avoid most disadvantages.

Keep back open and have the top just slats and install a fan in side for good ventilation.

Make it so when opened that part of the sides and top fold back as well as the front- this gives good access.

Another advantage is you have that wood there to attach stuff to.

More finished looking IMO, and no light glare in the eyes too.

 

[liquid]

Here is what my existing hood looks like on my 38 gal tank:

Open, Side Shot:

Closed, Front Shot:

My new tank is a custom 80 gal InterAmerican glass tank measuring 4'x2'x16" tall:

I'm attaching a quick sketch of how I envision hanging a hood over this tank.

Shane

 

[LFS42]

I like canopy's. However You should seal the inside with a fiberglass to keep the moisture out of the wood.
Make sure the canopy is tall enough to mount lights inside.
The mounting to the ceiling is a neat idea, but doesn't sovle the problem of fish jumping.

 

[SPC]

My new tank is a custom 80 gal InterAmerican glass tank measuring 4'x2'x16" tall:

-No perimeter trim needed because of the height Shane?
How do the edges look :wink: ?
Steve

 

[Bill2]

I have an open top and I'd never go back to a hood again. I suspend my fixture from the ceiling. YOu can see a pic here:
http://burbankms.lausd.k12.ca.us/mo...ame=gallery&file=index&include=view_photo.php

 

[Anonymous]

i used a wooden diy canopy w/ diy halides-open tank.

my current fw tank-20 long has a standard wood canopy with a halide installed-also open tank.


shane-really cool idea! 8)

 

[Garry thomas]

I think everything has been said, so heres my views, open tanks even with m/halides with shutter's waste alot of good quality light, and my wife's not happy with the front window glowing as if there's a couple of little green men in there? so i built........no i did'nt i got a mate to do it...(thanks al ) a hood or canopy whatever you wont to call it? but apart from keeping all the light in you also have lots of heat ? so in went 4x 6inch kitchen fans they are the business! 2x triples hang from ceiling into the hood 1 x m/h in center supported by the hood at 12 inchs also the hood handy for hanging all your supplementry tubes. also it made my tank quieter, no noise from the 2 corner weirs, and best of all no glowing front window.
GT s wales

 

[liquid]

SPC wrote:

-No perimeter trim needed because of the height Shane? How do the edges look :wink: ?

Nope, no perimeter bracing needed due to the height. The glass thickness is 3/8" so there really isn't any bowing to speak of. I got the tank from Marc @ Northcoastmarines.com a year or so ago and he's had 7-8 of these identical tanks running for a couple years w/ no problems. I'm still thinking about putting perimeter bracing down the 4' length just to play it safe (probably 2"x4'x3/8" strips). Heh, the edges actually look pretty good. IA ground down all of the sharp areas so there's really no sharp edges that I can see.

Shane