Light Hanging Question?

[Geo13]

Hello Fellow SDReefer's,

I have a question? I got a 36" AquaticLife T5 HO 4-Lamp Light Fixtures w/ Lunar LEDs that i picked up from a fellow reefer. I want to hang the light fixture from the ceiling i have all the hardware, but how far up from the rim of the tank do i hang it from the light fixture. I have a 55gal, LS,LR and few livestock. just fishes right now but eventually will add some softies... I know that im not going to cover the whole tank, becase the tank is 48" long and the light fixture is 36". I'm ok with that for the moment. Your inputs and comments will be greatly appriciated. Thanks fellow Reefer's...

[unbereefable]

I would hang it just high enough that it covers the whole tank the way you like. Some people like darker areas at the ends of their tank because it kinda of simulates a drop. Like in a real reef. I would say 6" above the rim should be good.

[Geo13]

never thought about having the drop affect, that would look nice. Thanks for the info unbereefable. Much appriciated.

[hydrahawk]

Take a look at this thread. http://www.sandiegoreefs.com/forums/showthread.php?85435-Light-Hanger-Material&highlight=hydrahawk I use a pair of SunLift so I can move the lights up or down.

[Bogg]

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m99/bogg2/101-3.jpg

[Bogg]

I like the Elos kit, it's fully adjustable and sleek
http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m99/bogg2/099-4.jpg

[Bogg]

1. If you can hit the studs awesome
2. if you can jump up in the attic and install a 2x4 Great
3. If not home Depot sells a one way clip thingy to hang heavy items from the ceiling I've used these with great success
The guy who sold them to me and convinced me
It was ok said he hung a ceiling fan with one and it's been there for years, so I went for it and it's worked fine for a long time now.

[Solanakaos]

goto the hydroponic store they sell nice light fixture hangers, adjustable.

punch angles for garage door install would work perfect for the mount on the ceiling.

[Geo13]

Thank you all for all the tips and info, they are very helpfull to be ablr to hang my light and not worry about them falling. But still want to know the distance between the top of tank lip to the bottom of the light fixture does it need to be. I got a answer of 6 inches above the lip from unbereefable. Once again thanks fellow refeer's..

[bpro32]

The height above the tank is your personal preference. 6" is about what most people do with t5's, just try not to go closer than 4".

[Geo13]

Thanks, bpro32..

[JohnnyAirtime]

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m99/bogg2/101-3.jpg

That looks awesome. Nice and clean, and super functional.

But, how do you deal with the lights being in the way? It'd frustrate me as much as I'm in my tank(s).
... I'd have mounted the lights high up over the tank, giving me enough room for my huge head to get in above the water. Lights don't need to sit so close to do a good job for the inhabitants... so, I like mine a bit "out of the way". Personal preference I guess.

[Bogg]

There fully adjustable as said b4 :) I can raise and lower them need be,
This works great for matinence and cleanings to get them out of the way ecspecially with a rimless
Tank :)

[JohnnyAirtime]

There fully adjustable as said b4 :)

Adjustable with an allen wrench? or... on the fly?

[Bogg]

On the fly, the little tiny thing mounted to the light housing (post 6) is how it's
Adjustable. If I hold the wire beneath the light and Lift the light I can raise it however
High i want, To lower it theres a release button on the top of the fitting in pic 2 I can press
It to lower the light. Its genius.

[JohnnyAirtime]

On the fly, the little tiny thing mounted to the light housing pic 2 is
Adjustable. If I hold the wire beneath the light and Lift the light I can raise it however
High i want, To lower it theres a release button on the top of the fitting in pic 2 I can press
It to lower the light. Its genius.

VERY NICE!!! ... I might need to use that for my frag tanks, 26" LED fixture!