# of pound on top of fish tank

[yummysalt]

Hi there,
How many pounds can be put on top of a 220 gallon fish tank?
There's a canopy on it right now, but it has no light fixture in it. I have a 100pound lighting unit that I would like to attached it to the inside of the canopy so it doesn't show. The canopy is pretty heavy, I am guessing somewhere between 75 pound to 100 pound.
So I am looking at 175 to 200 pound that will be on top of the fish tank.
Is this too heavy?
My other option is to tear the lighting unit apart and install it to the canopy, but I would rather not do it if the tank can handle the pound.
stupid question or idea, but would like to know.
Thanks

 

[gsellers]

i would hate to see this "lighting unit" you speak of....100lbs? there must be extremely huge magnetic ballasts in there....
More than likely it should be fine
do you have any pics of this monster of a light?

 

[yummysalt]

Originally Posted by GSELLERS
http:///forum/post/2798944
i would hate to see this "lighting unit" you speak of....100lbs? there must be extremely huge magnetic ballasts in there....
More than likely it should be fine
do you have any pics of this monster of a light?
No, not at the moment, but it is a 72 inch aquametic(spelling) lighting unit, with 3 Mh, and two short compact. I will try to get the picture taken when I get home from work.
So you think it is alright? great. Anymore opinion out there?

 

[gsellers]

wow....just checked out some specs....shipping weight is 100lbs. Even though it weighs alot it will be fine IMO. Just make sure it is secure and use stainless steel hardware

 

[yummysalt]

Originally Posted by GSELLERS
http:///forum/post/2798954
wow....just checked out some specs....shipping weight is 100lbs. Even though it weighs alot it will be fine IMO. Just make sure it is secure and use stainless steel hardware
Nice, going to start on it when I get home. Thanks for the help Gseller.

 

[ajer]

If you are worried about it you could hang the hole thing right above the tank making it appear to rest on the tank but actually suspending the weight.

 

[wangotango]

I don't think the weight will be an issue, but if you are suspending it in your canopy then use sturdy hardware.
I'm sure that a lot of that weight is from ballasts which I would personally not put on top of the tank.
-Justin

 

[spanko]

Agree with WangoTango. Take the ballasts off the unit and mount them somewhere off of the canopy just to get a lot of the weight out.

 

[mr_x]

also, you are most likely going to have your hands/arms in the tank regularly. i would not want to move hundreds of pounds each time i went in to upright a snail.
i would seriously consider hanging the fixture from the ceiling, where you can easily push it aside to mess with the tank.

 

[snakeblitz33]

I would put it on a hoist above the tank that I could just crant it up and out of the way.
The ballasts must be really, really heavy. In that case, you should create a shelf above the tank to hold the ballasts so that the canopy and everything isn't too heavy for the tank itself.
I would take precautions with something like that... That seems like too much weight.

 

[natclanwy]

I would be careful mounting the ballasts inside the canopy if they are not sealed, it would be a bad day if the corrosion from the salt spray caused your new light to fail.

 

[yummysalt]

Originally Posted by Ajer
http:///forum/post/2799208
If you are worried about it you could hang the hole thing right above the tank making it appear to rest on the tank but actually suspending the weight.
That sounds like a good idea, I will think about it.
Originally Posted by WangoTango
http:///forum/post/2799357
I don't think the weight will be an issue, but if you are suspending it in your canopy then use sturdy hardware.
Most likely going to go with this plan, but maybe removing the ballast out too.
I'm sure that a lot of that weight is from ballasts which I would personally not put on top of the tank.
Agree, I will see if I can relocate the ballasts.
-Justin

Originally Posted by spanko
http:///forum/post/2799369
Agree with WangoTango. Take the ballasts off the unit and mount them somewhere off of the canopy just to get a lot of the weight out.
Going to see if I can move it somewhere else. Thanks
Originally Posted by Mr_X
http:///forum/post/2799621
also, you are most likely going to have your hands/arms in the tank regularly. i would not want to move hundreds of pounds each time i went in to upright a snail.
i would seriously consider hanging the fixture from the ceiling, where you can easily push it aside to mess with the tank.
Yeah, even with the canopy, I can't even place rock on the bottom of the tank.( Short arms.)
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33
http:///forum/post/2799682
I would put it on a hoist above the tank that I could just crant it up and out of the way.
Checking up on it.
The ballasts must be really, really heavy. In that case, you should create a shelf above the tank to hold the ballasts so that the canopy and everything isn't too heavy for the tank itself.
THanks for the idea, but it is in the family and would look awkward.
I would take precautions with something like that... That seems like too much weight.
I am definitly taking my time with this.
Originally Posted by natclanwy
http:///forum/post/2799840
I would be careful mounting the ballasts inside the canopy if they are not sealed, it would be a bad day if the corrosion from the salt spray caused your new light to fail.
Yeah, like most mentioned on here. I am going to relocate the ballast.
Thanks for all the response. I am going to give it some thought on how to do this right. I'm pretty sure, I'm gonna place the ballast outside of the canopy, and go get strong stainless steel hardwares. In the other hand I would like easy access to the tank like Mr. X mentioned, so who knows, maybe just get rid of the canopy all together.