Securing Lighting Fixtures

I took a trip to the LFS and picked up a light for my tank, but it looks to be very flimsy on how it sits on my tank. Does anyone know how I could secure it so it doesn't look like its going to fall off any minute? Thanks you!

 

Can you pull out the metal bars so they go on either side of the top instead of resting on the top?

 

Thats what I was thinking, but would the lights effect the glass it'll be laying on? or the plastic center guard?

 

If they are t5's or pc, I doubt it. I'd also guess that there is already a shield built in to the light, if that survives, so would your glass/brace. If MH, then I don't know.

You can also stick a couple of small spacers under the edges to raise it up a 1/2 or 1 inch, leaving the metal feet overlapping still.

Rick

 

You're using a glass cover?
ya might want to re think that, unless you already have and have jumping fish or something like that.

My LED's are hung over the middle of my tank, from a DIY stand which slides behind my tank and the back wall.

 

I am using a glass top, is there something the guy at the LFS didnt tell me?

 

If you have livestock that are known to 'jump', then it's OK.

Otherwise, without a true poll, I'd bet most people doing SW/reef don't have any glass tops. I"ve seen a few mesh ones for jumpers however.

Without a 'top' however, I did drop my oldler PC's in a few times!! Stupid me! The glass cover keeps the light from taking a dip, it also

gets water spots on it affecting the light source power/par.,

it also doesn't let gasses equilibvrate as well, or so I've heard.

Anyone else have an opinion of glass tops?

Regardless of what you do, (very little of anything can really be 'wrong'),
Welcome to the hobby!!

Just wait, in a few months (if you're like me), you'll get the coral itch, and suddenly, you'll have dozens of coral!!

 

Glass tops can create a "green house" effect. I find they can really heat up aquariums.

They also block a lot of light.

If light and heat are not problems, then I don't think there is anything wrong with them. They work well in a lot of set ups. I'm using one right now on a temporary holding tank.

 

Behind the lights there is plastic that can be cut for the hang on the back items, If I cut extra room will it allow for the heat to escape?

 

You could always fill it up, turn on the light, and see where the temperature ends up. I'm sure holes would help, but they may not be necessary.