Mounting LumenMax on top of canopy??

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

I'd like to keep my canopy to 12" tall, so I was wondering if there would be a problem with placing the LumenMax on top of the canopy over a 11" square hole cut out from the lid? The LM2 is 11.5" x 15", the reflector is 11" square.

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

bump...

 

[douggiestyle]

might look into the smaller version. 14.5x14.5x8.5.
or do you already own this?

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

The LumenMax 2(which is what I have) is 11" x 15" x 5".

 

[douggiestyle]

ok your orig dimensions threw me off. thought you meant 11.5x11.5x15

so you are trying to raise this higher above the water, yes?

i would think that cutting off 4" of light at the refelector would be a waste.

 

[Konadog]

Matt, I have seen a few tanks done like that. The best idea I saw was the reflector rested on a metal strip that was mounted inside the bottom of the canopy. This way the reflector didn't slide around if bumped as it was down inside the canopy, the thickness of the canopy.

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

Ah, so make the hole big enough for the whole LM2 to fit in and res ton a strip running just below lid to rest on? Have to be metal strip?

 

[Konadog]

You got it! They used a metal strip due to heat generated from the light. I guess you could use wood if you wanted, but I wouldn't use plastic or acrylic, it will crack eventually.

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

Thanks - Matt

 

[Typhon]

I did exactly what you are thinking on my old 75g tank, but just with PFO minis. Here are some pics of my old 75g canopy..

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

Thanks for the pics!!
1. How did you mount the metal strips to the wood?
2. Those appear to be right angle pieces with two ledges, where did you get them and what are they usually intended for?

Thanks so much!!

 

[truthdesigns]

sweet thats exactly what im doing with my hqi pfo!

 

[Typhon]

They are aluminum L-strips that I picked up from Home Depot. They come in 3' or 4' pieces. Very easy to work with. I just cut them with an hack saw then drilled some hole for screws.

Never had problems with the strips over heating and burning the wood.

Here is how the l-strips where mounted.

Very easy to do. Good luck.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9435681#post9435681 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by E-A-G-L-E-S
Thanks for the pics!!
1. How did you mount the metal strips to the wood?
2. Those appear to be right angle pieces with two ledges, where did you get them and what are they usually intended for?

Thanks so much!!

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

Perfect! Thanks so much Typhon!