MH Lighting Fixture Over Center Brace?

I have been looking at different lighting fixtures and have seen that most 3ft MH fixtures have one lamp in the center. I have a 46 gal bowfront tank that is 3ft wide and has a support brace in the center. My concerns are 1) The heat will melt the brace. 2) If the brace doesn't melt, it will block a lot of light.

Just wondering if anyone has tried something similar and what the results were. Thanks.

 

any chance of getting a canopy and doing a reto fit maybe two 150 on each side?

 

I had thought about a canopy at one time but have not yet found one to match yet. All the ones I have found so far are black and I have oak trim/stand. I have not priced retro kits but from what I have seen so far 2 pendants would be way over budget.

 

check the local forums im sure some one could help you out or find a great deal! Also find some articles on line and DYI it always fun! i could never make one but thats another story lol


theres always the switch to t5s, i have 3x250 mh over my 180 and im REALLY thinking about to switch! theres so many more options with t5s and less heat and bulbs last longer and cost less to run!

 

More than likely I will be going with T5's because of price and heat. I would like to have some type of canopy so I can ditch the glass tops and not have to worry that every little noise I hear at night is not my goby trying to fly. I may end up having to paint my current trim and stand to match a black canopy.

 

The MH over the center brace is a bad idea. That one is a deal breaker. T5s were mentioned. They are very good. Teks, ATI and Giesemann make good units.

 

That is kind of what I figured, just wanted to be sure before I did something stupid.

Thanks.

 

Go with a tek fixture or even nova extreme BUT make sure what ever fixture you get it has SLR's!

 

MH over the center brace will make it brittle and will eventually will break, that is what kept me from using that over my big tank.

 

I have a 46 gallon and use the Current Sunpod with 2 150 MH bulbs (14K Phoenix) are the best and no water temp problems. It just sits on the sides of tank