Fitting the coralife aqualight pro 48"

[nlxs0ldier]

So I am new to the saltwater hobby, though I have been into freshwater for many years. I recently decided to convert my 55 gallon to saltwater and started purchasing equipment. I got a great deal on a used aqualight pro 48" but when i got it home realized that the mounting legs are too wide for my tank, any suggestions on how to properly mount the light with enough space so heating isnt an issue? Does caralife offer a narrower set of legs?

 

[nlxs0ldier]

please help!

 

[xxstephensxx]

Maybe you can hang it? Better yet have you thought about modifying it to fit? Do you have a pic?

 

[Uncle Salty 05]

The legs are in a track.
Just loosen the screws and they will slide in the track to whatever size you want.

 

[nlxs0ldier]

The legs are adjustable, but the problem is not the length, but the width. I will post a pic soon so u ccan see what im talkin about

 

[nlxs0ldier]

here is what im talking about

 

[nlxs0ldier]

stephen, hanging the light is not really an option, the building i live in is made of concrete and screwing it into the ceiling would require me to hire a contractor

 

[xxstephensxx]

I see... hmmmm. You got yourself a little predicament there.

 

[Uncle Salty 05]

If they are too wide, get some angled stainless steel, cut to fit, paint it black, silicone it to the tank and you are set.

http://www.metalsdepot.com/catalog_cart_view.php?msg=

 

[nlxs0ldier]

thanks uncle salty, i will look into the steel angles. thanks for the replies guys. if anyone else has a recco please do chime in

 

[xxstephensxx]

Why not try to find a 75gal on craigslist? A lot better foot print with the 75.

 

[nlxs0ldier]

if room and price wasnt an issue i would get a 75, but i am just starting out and wanted to stick with the 55. but if i got a 75 i could use the 55 for a refugium... decisions decisions...

 

[xxstephensxx]

I found my 75 on craigslist for $125. The tank is the same length just 6'' wider which would fix your issue. Just an idea but I am curious to see what you do.

 

[nlxs0ldier]

LOL I found a 75 gallon on CL for $75, but i drive an integra and cant fit it in my car

 

[Uncle Salty 05]

thanks uncle salty, i will look into the steel angles. thanks for the replies guys. if anyone else has a recco please do chime in

You're very welcome.
I hope you find a solution.

 

[seapug]

I'd recommend upgrading a 75 or 90 gallon and use the 55 as a sump. It'll be cheaper than buying a new light fixture or hiring a contractor to hang the light you have. Apart from that, 75 and 90 gallon tanks are much more suited to a reef aquarium. Standard 55's have some of the worst dimensions for use as a reef tank.

 

[nlxs0ldier]

Hey guys, i fixed my problem pretty easily. I sat there looking at the light for a while trying to figure out what to do when it hit me. The legs curved outward so i took the right sided legs and swapped them with the left side so that they curved in!
Seapug, I was really close to doing what you suggested when this idea hit me LOL

 

[ken55]

Necessity is also the Mother of Innovation. Good Job:thumbsup:

 

[seapug]

Hey guys, i fixed my problem pretty easily. I sat there looking at the light for a while trying to figure out what to do when it hit me. The legs curved outward so i took the right sided legs and swapped them with the left side so that they curved in!
Seapug, I was really close to doing what you suggested when this idea hit me LOL

Haha...That's awesome, but I'll still stand by the recommendation to go with a 75 or 90. You'll understand why once you start putting rocks and corals in it.

 

[bongarone]

LOL, that is a huge light for that tank.

FYI, if you do need to drill into concrete in the future, you don't need to hire a contractor. Go to home depot, rent a hammer drill. Buy a masonry drill bit ($3), roughly 3/16" diameter and a small box of concrete screws ($5). The hammer drill will sound like a mini jackhammer while you drill into the concrete, and the screws will go right in. The rental shouldn't be too expensive, since you could buy a brand new hammer drill for $100.