canopy and m/h fixture

[flower]

Mine wouldn't attach to the lid...so I removed it altogether, I do however have enough room to feed my fish, and do top offs (looking into ATO system). To sevice the tank for anything else, I have to remove the canopy with my lights attached. It is a pain, but I really wanted the MH lights I have.
It looks nice, and I am not looking up into glaring lights when I sit in my living room and look at the tank. Which is why I didn't want to hang the light to start with.

 

[dbestnindy]

Originally Posted by Flower
http:///forum/post/2998646
Mine wouldn't attach to the lid...so I removed it altogether, I do however have enough room to feed my fish, and do top offs (looking into ATO system). To sevice the tank for anything else, I have to remove the canopy with my lights attached. It is a pain, but I really wanted the MH lights I have.
It looks nice, and I am not looking up into glaring lights when I sit in my living room and look at the tank. Which is why I didn't want to hang the light to start with.
I have been looking at a lot of setups on the forum and the idea of removing light with canopy sure wouldn't work for me. I am too old to even consider that. It would have been great if I would have done all the measurements before I bought it. anyway, I was hoping someone had tried the lid thing. Maybe someone will post later that has done this. I sure hate the look without the canopy. Thanks for your input.

 

[flower]

I am 50 with real bad arthritis. The lights I have are retro fit, so it is very light. It is no heavier than the canopy. Just bulky, now that it has cords attached..It is a bother.
Your lights are not retro fit like mine, so all you need to do is rest your lights in the canopy. Remove the lid so the lights can breath and not be too hot. Just let it sit inside the canopy without the hinged lid. I attached (had my nephew do it) little blocks inside the canopy for the lights to rest on.
The black of your top will be just a little above the canopy to be seen, and not an eye sore at all. Just remove the hinged part, it is small screw and easy to put back on if you find a need to.
I raised the canopy with blocks on the contact points for the lights to be farther away from the water. I have plenty of room to feed the fish, do water top offs and tests. Everything else, like water changes, just like before...I remove the canopy to service the tank.
I like the look of the canopy too, so I totally agree it looks best with it on. It also shields the lights so I am not being blinded by looking up into it when I sit in my living room.
Happy Reefing!

 

[dbestnindy]

too bad that won't work for me. My light weighs about 100 lbs. and it is so wide I wouldn't be able to top off or feed. but, thanks for sharing.

 

[salt210]

if you are too scared to pull it apart see if someone will trade outright with you.
as long as you marked what wires go together it shouldnt be that bad for you

 

[dbestnindy]

Okay, we put the canopy back on to see how much and what was stopping it from fitting. Just the depth of the legs and two corner braces were hanging up. We thinned out the wood with a dremmel and shaved off the corners of the braces. On and off like a dream. Just have to keep on eye on the temp now. I like these fixes, totally free.

 

[salt210]

glad to hear it worked out, instead of doing anything to the light. are the fans openings covered? try some small fans blowing on them to help with the heat

 

[dbestnindy]

I am running it with the top off the canopy and keeping a close eye on the temp. Thanks to everyone for their input!