Phishies Inn

So I got my 260 watt fixture and it's all dandy and cool, but I'd really like to be able to raise it off my glass top - aside from cooling it off a bit, the fixture is just wide enough that I can't actually open my glass canopy (just the first half)...so that's too much of a hassle :P

Anyways, I got http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/209373/product.web those for free with the lights (ebay)...they're cool but they only work if you don't have a top at all! (They clamp down on the inside of the tank)...

Does anyone know of a solution? Some generic mounting legs that will work for my fixture? The fixture is a 48" Odyssea 260watt fixture. Looks like this: http://i7.ebayimg.com/08/i/000/e2/29/733a_1.JPG

If I have to use the other legs, how hard is it to cut those glass canopies? I don't want to risk breaking it, and I don't really want to spend that much money...but I need a top - aside from fish that might get jumpy, this tank is in my bedroom and the mold/humidity will kill me :P

Edit: http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/209851/product.web Would these work? My lights have the little divet things on either side, which seems to be how those things connect to the lights...

Butterfly

This is how I solved the leg problem My lights are too long to put end to end across the tank and the legs kept falling off.
Carol

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Phishies Inn

That's cool but how did you make it exactly? And is it a hassel during tank maintence or does it get in the way at all? Or the rest of the equipment in the back (filter, heater, etc)

Actually, I just had another idea - my tank is sitting basically against the wall (some space left for the filter and plugs of course)...if I were to take a few pieces of wood and drill them into the wall...one on each end, and one on the middle, do you think it would hold? And would the wood get too hot over the course of the day or do you think it'd be okay?

Butterfly

Here it is from other angles The wood doesn't get hot at all. Right now this is just a stop-gap measure. There are anubias in this tank that will grow out the top (which is what I want) and other stuff that grows over the top of the tank level. Eventually it will have a 4 tube shop light hanging over it. It will hang from the ceiling, then the wood can be taken down.but for now this works.
Carol

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Phishies Inn

That's pretty cool. Today though I went out and came up with my own solution

I went by Lowes and picked up a couple of those decorative hook things that you hang flowers from and some chain. Tomorrow I'm going to hang up the lights - I didn't want to hang them all the way from the ceiling, this way they'll only be a bit raised up. I'll post pictures when I'm done of course The hook things are pretty though, they've got carved birds on them and such. So I'm happy. I think it'll look nice, and this way they're out of my hair completely during tank maintenance.

Butterfly

Cool! Glad you found a solution to your problem As I said my solution is temporary, when the plants start growing through the top of the tank then we will hang lights.
Carol

Phishies Inn

Just to update this, I know I already posted the picture in my tank thread but here is how I ended up fixing my light issue:



I got the fancy "hooks" from Lowe's for like $10 each I think, though they had plenty of actual shelf hangers cheaper that would've worked fine - I just like the fancy stuff I guess here's one of the hooks up close:



So yep, I guess there's another option for someone who doesn't want to hang lights all the way from the ceiling...just be careful when drilling into the wall to find the studs and avoid the electricity!

Edit: If you go with the actual shelf things you can even make yourself a shelf for LIGHT knickknacks/fish stuff I guess. Nothing too heavy obviously unless you got yourself some really sturdy shelving. My dad said he has something in his head to make a fancy but simple "shelf" to go overtop the hooks if I want - which I might so I can put up some collected crap I have stored in my room

COBettaCouple

Excellent job! I love that!

Butterfly

That is a great idea!! Very good job!
Carol

ThisGuy

wow that tank looks incredible even though there is no fish or plants in it job well done, what dose it look like now is there new pics...