If I get custom canopy made how should I mount the halides?

[Mike01z]

How high do you guys usually mount them? is it best to put them on a pully system even though it would be inside the canopy? or should I just bolt it to the top of the canopy?


I can get the canopy custom made so I can get it any height but i don't want it to look weird, I was thinking maybe a 2ft tall canopy mount using a pully/rope type system?

I still have no idea how high to make them though for normal use on a tank,



If I get the lights itll be 3x250 watt mh's with VHO actnics

[Jflip2002]

What are your tank specs (height more importantly) and what are you keeping or wanting to keep in it? I dont know about a "pulley" system, but there are a lot of mounting systems where you can adjust them. I have what came stock with mine, but they are just some metal wires where you pull it tight, and to losen it up, you gotta unscrew the deal. But Id imagine something adjustable would be ideal. Though I dont believe youre going to be needing to adjust them after the first couple weeks or months.

Why not mount them as you normally would, on the underside of the canopy. And start adjust the corals? move them from the bottom to the top, or higher, as desired. I think thatd be the best, with the lights in a permanent position. Id be less paranoid that way anyways..

[Fly Guy]

Save your self the effort on the pulley rope thing for the halides. Simply put 1-2" blocks stacked and screwed into each other.

you dont want to needlessly stress your corals by moving them all the time until you get it right. I would start the halides 10" off the water and then simply add blocks if you want them lowered down the road.
I also like to put my vho actinics up with velcrow. Then i can move them out of my way when i need to stick my hands in the tank, without even turning them off. That first flourescent light is always in the way.

FWIW..you will find that the majority of experienced reefers keep their halides 5-10" off the

[Mike01z]

ok fair enough so you are saying start off with some basic 2x4's screw those into the top of the canopy, then screw the lights into that and add more 2x4's if needbe,

Jflip what you mentioned about the metal wires is what I was thinking I would do, you got any pics of yours? Tanks is a 125 g rr 6ft long one 24 inches high I believe, probably will keep sps, some clams, maybe an anenomoe.