Freehang pendants or mount in canopies?

[MikeD]

What do you guys do with your pendants? Right now I'm hanging from my ceiling, a lumenmax3 over my tank... But some day, when I upgrade my tank, I want to reduce the amount of light spilling all over the room. So I was thinking about a canopy of some sort. Unfortunately, I'm not handy. Anyway, do you guys ever mount these pendant boxes inside the canopy or does that bring the light way too close to the water?

Mike

 

[craftytony]

I have my aquamedic 250's in my canopy with no issue thus far, although I will probably build a new canopy before the summer hits, as i think i may have issues with the warmer weather....My lights are about 6 inches from the water and nothing has cracked

 

[MikeD]

Hey tony, do you just hang them in the canopy or are they suspended somehow w/braces or something?

 

[craftytony]

I had to put mine flush against the canopy hood as I didn't have enough room to let them hang....I plan to build a hood that will let me hang them an inch or so.....

 

[MikeD]

Any pics of your setup?? I'm at a tossup whether I should buy the canopy for my next tank or just let em hang! I have yet to see a good, simple canopy that doesn't get bothersome for feeding that allows you to hang those darn pendants... In my case, would be 2 lumenmax 3's.

Mike

 

[prugs]

The lumenmax 3's were designed for wide tanks. Spilling light on to the floor is just wasted electricity.

 

[MikeD]

What pendants are out there that are better then for focussing light into the tank?

 

[prugs]

[QUOTE

 

[prugs]

[QUOTE

ooops

 

[prugs]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8986057#post8986057 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MikeD
What pendants are out there that are better then for focussing light into the tank?

Sorry,
I'm not trying to criticize your setup. Since I don't know the width of your tank. I was just spewing some info.
The lumenmax line is best for tanks say 30" & wider (front to back). For a narrow tank 18" - 24" a PFO mini or similar Reef Optix pendant are a better choice. JMO

 

[MikeD]

Don't worry about it.. I'm thinking about upgrading to a 120 which is 48" long and 24" wide... I already have one lumenmax 3 though... so, it'll be easier to get another.. Yet I do want lower light spillage... hmmm...

 

[craftytony]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8985873#post8985873 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MikeD
Any pics of your setup?? I'm at a tossup whether I should buy the canopy for my next tank or just let em hang! I have yet to see a good, simple canopy that doesn't get bothersome for feeding that allows you to hang those darn pendants... In my case, would be 2 lumenmax 3's.

Mike

Sorry, no pics...i've got huge issues with my canopy, whoever designed it needs to be shot lol

 

[paininthewrasse]

I have 2 175 watt hamilton hanging pendants.. they get the job done, so I am satisfied..

I'm looking for a similar setup but only 250 watt for my 45 hex.

 

[Fuppets]

You could just make a "shade" over your tank and leave the lights hanging where they are. Like a box with no top or bottom, just the 4 sides. It can sit on top of the tank sides and be just tall enough to shade the extra light that is spilling into the room. This could be made really light as it would now support anything. Just a 2X2 frame with an old blanket or drape material stapled to it would work, and be really cheap. You could also cover the 2X2 frame with some nice looking wood too. I was just thinking light cheap and easy.

 

[jjjimmy]

I have my PFO mini's hanging inside of my canopy be "eye" hooks and "s" hooks.

 

[prugs]

Here's how I suspended my pendants. More pics in my gallery.