Open top tanks

[Jen]

I'm thinking of taking the hood off my tank (it's more work having it on, and the lid is always open anyway). I'm just wondering how you guys do the lights. I'm thinking of making a shelf to suspend it from. Are there any better ways to hang it?

I have a retro fit power compact fixture, and since my tank is so tall (2') i need the light close to the water. I know it will be bright, so I'm thinking I would have a lip hang down to block the light from spilling into the room.

Has anyone done something like this? Any suggestions?

 

[Opcn]

Why not just sink sheetrock anchors into the cieling, and suspend the lights on cables or chains from those, sort of a pendant deal
If you can make a box out of very thin plywood and paint the inside white and put that ontop of the lights to stop light form being lost on the room.

 

[Jen]

Why not just sink sheetrock anchors into the cieling, and suspend the lights on cables or chains from those, sort of a pendant deal.
If you can make a box out of very thin plywood and paint the inside white and put that ontop of the lights to stop light form being lost on the room.

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I'm not worried about light loss... i have reflectors. I'm talking about being able to see the bare bulbs. The lights will be a good 5 1/2 feet off the ground, and sitting down that's all I can see - insainly bright bulbs!

I don't think I can hang them from the ceiling... I don't think my parents would like holes in the tiles... they are the sound absorbing cardboardy material, and you can't patch them up. And the shelf would be perfect because I can store all my tank stuff on it.

 

[Fella]

http/www.arcadia-uk.com/en/140pendant.html

This any use? If you're talking about suspending from a shelf that would mbe quite easy in essence I think, as long as the shelf is supported appropriately.

 

[Lateral Line]

Many open top tank keepers use halide lamps in recessed pendent enclosures which reflect all the light down, and since they are recessed, you can't normally see them.

I'd build the suspended hood with the halides VERY recessed, but be aware halides get very hot, so if enclosing them, you may need to put some kind of fan in the enclosure.

 

[Jen]

I won't be buying any new lights... I just got these ones in May, and I spent a small fortune on them.

I'm a decent woodworker, and the shelf would be very stable... no chance of it falling.

I guess all I can do it try one day and see how I like it.

 

[garbodude]

canoechiqe could u take some photos or do some drawings of what youve got and what you what im just having a bit of trouble imagining it.

love to help
alex