Need Help With DIY Lamp For Neo Nano

Hi all - I have been setting up my tank for the last couple weeks. I have a Neo Nano Aquarium - shown in that link. I also have that exact light - it is a Coralife Aqualight Advanced Mount.


My problem - note the arc that fixture has and how it angles the lamp up first. Note the height of that lamp from the water surface. It is WAY too high. I need a new mount that places the reflector about 8 inches over the water. Not 2 feet!

My idea - I have started to disassemble the light bracket and I am trying to get it down to just the reflector and wires coming out. Then I was thinking of attaching this to a shop or home swing-arm lamp that I have removed the reflector on so it just has the arm and the clamp. The clamp needs to be able to clamp on to the back wall of the Neo Nano that is 1/2 inch glass. The connection point on my halide is 1.75 inches wide and has 1/4 threaded holes in the ends.

Example lamp to hack:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=11465173&findingMethod=rr

Or this one:
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_05066436000P?mv=rr
-- maybe not strong enough to hold halide reflector?

What do you think of this idea?
What would your solution be to get this lamp lower?

 

Here is a pic of what I have it down to so far, note mounts. (attached)

 

Good start, I think you have a good idea with using the swing arm to get the light down lower.

Looking to see how it works out.

 

wow thats realy cool i want a build thread on this tank

 

seems like a design flaw on their part(not adjustable).Is the back side of the tank that the light is mounted to glass or acrylic? if it is acrylic,you could just cut a notch as far down as you need it,and keep light as is

 

Wow. Did I get lucky on this one. 8)

It only took 2 trips to the hardware store.
I am closing this thread and starting a new one with my solution. I will post link here. Stay tuned.

matt


EDIT HERE IS THE NEW THREAD WITH SOLUTION:
http://www.3reef.com/forums/i-made/4-88-neo-nano-lamp-mod-84424.html