Raising Halides Above Canopy?

[Jolieve]

Okay... so this guy that ordered my canopy screwed up and ordered it six inches too short. My halides are a pair of 250 watt HQI DE pendants. Sitting four inches above an acrylic tank. They must be raised.

Here's the question: My husband is suggesting cutting holes in the top of the canopy and setting the pendants on top, centered above these holes (with a strip of trim wood around them to keep the pendants from sliding around should a cord get bumped). I'm worried that these lights put out too much heat to be in close contact with the canopy top like that.

What do you guys think and how would you raise these lights, and still keep the canopy? DIY'ing a new canopy is not an option. I really like the canopy and would like to keep it, and having the pendants sitting on top of it really wouldn't bug me. Top of the canopy is black, fixtures are black... it would look fine appearance wise.

Thanks!
J.

 

[loui]

Why do they need to be raised?

 

[liquid]

I would guestimate that the reason to raise them is because they're close to a brace or something on the tank. Acrylic tanks and heat don't play nice together sometimes.

Have you fired up the lights for a couple hours to see how hot the pendant housing gets?

Shane

 

[dsb1829]

IMO cutting the canopy and raising the pendants is your best option given the circumstances. I have seen several hoods with elevated halide structures and they really don't look bad at all.