hang lights or not.

[Afish4u]

Ok so I'm setting up the 72 in our new house. I was always planning on hanging the lights. They are 48" aqualight pros hqi. They have legs for them also. I have both setup options at my fingure tips. Bascially I'm not sure about putting holes in the celing to hang the lights. I was going to but then my wife lol spoke up. are there any advantages to hanging? I think it would look a little nicer. Hanging you can adjust the hight. whats the opinion?

[carym]

Did you go with 150w or 250w metal halide? I am seriously considering getting the 72" with 250's, going to get prices tomorrow..... but not positive on which way to go.... I posted in the Reef Equipment - Lighting section but haven't had a lot of responses....

Cary

[Loverotties]

I'd hang them!

[schneijt]

I'd hang the fixture above your tank. If done right, it looks much cleaner, and it gives you the ability to raise or lower the light as needed. Plus, being able to pull it up to get into the tank and do maintenance is a nice benefit. I've got my Spacelight fixture hung from the rafters in the basement. I'm contemplating switching to T5's in the near future, and I'll hang any new fixture I might get for the reason of easy tank access.

-Joe

[pogodzib]

I prefer the look of lights when they are inside of a canopy or on stands over the look of lights being hung. As far as practicallity goes, hanging the lights allows you to raise and lower the lighting to get it out of your way or while acclimating corals to the new lighting. IMO, people that use the 400w halides should have their lights hung but with 150w hqi bulbs on a 24" tall tank, it isn't necessary since you can put the corals low in the tank for them to get adjusted to the new light. It's a horse a piece with 250w hqi bulbs.

[Jrmass]

I can speak from first hand about how inconvienent it is to have the fixture run on it's legs (which I currently have). Last night when I moved a bunch of my stuff into my tank from my smaller tank I had to have my wife lift one end of the fixture just so that I could get some of my stuff into the tank. Just since last night I'm trying to convince Jen into allowing me to hand the thing just so that I never have to deal with that again. If there was a way to get the fixture to mount up to lean to the back (like some of the smaller fixtures do allow) then having them on the legs wouldn't be so bad as you could move it. But, just having stationary legs like I have isn't exactly the best route to run with.

My $0.02.

Jason

[luvmylo]

legs break too so if you bump them just right they'll break right off. I would hang them

[chazz-66]

Just Hang 'Em Aaron

[pogodzib]

Both of my canopies tip up so they can be set standing up, only covering the back 6"-8" of the tank. I wouldn't want to keep my lights on the leg stands that come with the lights either.

[hansmatt]

I would hang them. Much easier to work in the tank, replace bulbs, clean glass etc. You could probablly do a cool pulley/lever system with a bit of engineering.

If I had your new setup (and was starting from scratch, without existing equipment) I would get hanging penants, with t5's interspaced, maybe some LED's running on the moon's position...a solar tube running up to the roof for daylight simulation...yeah, right...oh I forgot you had a house to pay for, not just a tank!

Matt

[hansmatt]

http://www.lightrail3.com/

[carym]

Afish4u,

Did you go with the 250w or 150w metal halides? I personally would hang it, that is what I am planning to do when I get my unit even though it is hidden from the front. I just think it will be easier to get to items in the tank.

Thanks
Cary

[Afish4u]

Sorry haven't been on for a little while here. ON the 3rd I haung up the lights I'm happy that I did. Cary I had the 150's For me getting a whole setup that I would like with 250's is to much to spend... FOR NOW. I do have one 250 DE aquamedic pendent still sitting here and 1 150 but I think I'll just list those for sale.

[ScruffyRubicon]

Good choice on hanging them!