lighting without the legs?

Hello all! It looks like I might be inheriting my bro's 135. (Or at least my parents might, but I'll be the one to set it up so it's pretty for them:) I have a question on the odyssea lights. Can they be used without the mounting legs? The top of the glass tank is covered in 1/4" acrylic (pretty sure it's acrylic) with two rectangles cut out of it that are 18" wide. There aren't actual rims that the legs can attach to so can the fixture be laid flat on the acrylic? It would lay over the 18" holes so not all of it would be on something.

Also, it's going to be a FOWLR so should I just get 2 24" PC fixtures? It would be cheaper and they could be equally spaced out on the top which is 72", or should I just get one 72" fixture.

72" 384W (4-96 watt) Dual Strip Compact Fluorescent Light Fixture - 501051 This is the 72" fixture and this, 24" 130W (2-65 watt) Dual Strip Compact Fluorescent Light Fixture - 501011 is the 24".

I wanted to check with everyone here because I greatly value 3reef member's opinions since they've helped me out so much in the past.

 

You could hang them over your tank, but that takes some time to do properly. Does the light fixture have a glass cover on bottom? How far way would the waters surface be if tyou oaced them on the tank? this tank is euro style right (has a glass or acrylic sheet with 2 or 3 square holes cut in top?

 

My parents don't want hanging lights, and yes the tank is euro style. It currently has a canopy, but it would be much easier to just buy one or two fixtures. The fixtures have acrylic shielding between the bulbs and anything beneath them. The euro top is about 2 or 3 inches above the water line.

 

anyone?

 

I believe you could do it, but make sure the lights stay cool. The oddysea's dont come with the best fans, so you may wasnt to replace them with higher CFM fans. I curently have the 260 watt 48"inch version (Currently being replaced with dual 250watt halides, i actually just finished priming the canopy about 5 mins ago )

 

you could put a retrofit kit in the canopy and it will look nice and be cheep,and it will be high enough off the water so you only have to clean it occasionally.retro come in many kinds of light to suit your inhabitants.pc,mh,vho,t5,t5ho,phloresent.you name it.

 

Id try using small blocks of wood. Use them to prop the light up on the ends just enough to help circulate air under it and keep it off the acrylic.

 

only one light fixture would work and look better to satisfy everyone. your not running mh so heat really shouldnt be a problem as far as melting the top of tank. but i would still use some type of system to elevate the fixture.