Hanging or brackets

[scabbedwings616]

I have a 90 gallon reef ready tank I'm about to set up and wondering how I should do my light. It is a mh t5 combo and wondering if I should do it from the ceiling or from shelving brackets. The catch is its a 36 inch light vs a 48 inch light. Eventually I'll upgrade but wondering what's works and what to use. Pics and ideas are appreciated

 

[mcarroll]

I don't think there's anything inherently better to doing it one way vs the other. Mostly has to do with what your tank, space and tastes are like. (Also, why is the light only being 36" a catch?)

 

[scabbedwings616]

I have a few Sps corals and a few leathers. It's only 36 inch cause it's what I had on my old tank and don't have the money to upgrade the light yet. Center brace broke and I was going to do a 65g tank but found a great deal on a 90 gallon. I just read track shelving works and adjusting the height would work. Wondering if that or from the ceilings better.

 

[Edward Mifsud]

Hanging from the ceiling may give you more flexibility on being able to adjust the height if need be. If you mount shelf hangers than you are restricted to the height of where you mount the brackets.

 

[scabbedwings616]

What are your thoughts on track brackets? I saw that one person had them and it looked good.

 

[Edward Mifsud]

Not familiar with those. Is that something that goes on the ceiling or the wall?

 

[scabbedwings616]

This

 

[Edward Mifsud]

Oh that is pretty cool then you can adjust everything. That might be a good idea especially since you plan on switching to the 48 inch in the future.

 

[SirMilo]

It really depends on what you prefer from an aesthetics standpoint.
Hanging from the ceiling may look a little cleaner but I use the track brackets myself.

I wanted easy adjustability so I decided to go this route. I will eventually put a shelf on top so I have some place to put my ever-growing accumulation of supplies such as powdered 2 part mixes that I don't need to have in the way on a daily basis.