Help mounting hydra 52 hd's on canopy

[bellasdad0911]

I need advice on how to mount my hydra 52's. It's an older oceanic tank 120 gallon reef ready that has the thick glass center brace that is about 8 inches wide in total clear glass. So do I mount the horizontal so that one of the pucks shines through the glass, or move it towards the side so that it doesn't go through the glass at all? Or option 2 mount it vertical so the pucks shine directly into the water. I am using a canopy and want to mound the leds above the canopy and cut a hole through the top so the units are not exposed to salt water air and cause damage. Any help
Would be great before I cut into a canopy.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

id lean towards option 2.
I'll try to get a pic of mine in a bit.

 

[Slm222]

Option 2 will provide more uniform spread across the tank. Option 1 will provide better coverage front to back, but you will have a V effect of less light in the middle.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Agreed. With rose lights you may still have a bit of a dead spot in the middle. They're meant to by hung higher.
I has ai sol's , basicly the same light.
I have 3 in my 48' 55g

You can cut the holes jsunslightly smaller than the light and use Velcro to keep them in place.
I put 3/8 acrylic under the hood.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

To get better blending I used a thin piece of lightly sanded acrylic

An easy way to find a good placement is to mark out a space on the floor and hang or hold the lights over it. This was for a 20x20cube and you can see the light needs to go up to fill the square

 

[bellasdad0911]

Nice, option 2 is what I thought too. I bought a 3 inch hole saw that I will cut to 3 in holes and then jig saw the out the rest to create and oval. This way the pucks shine through and the fixture is completely out of the elements. Total height should be around 8 inches from water line. That should work correct?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Nice, option 2 is what I thought too. I bought a 3 inch hole saw that I will cut to 3 in holes and then jig saw the out the rest to create and oval. This way the pucks shine through and the fixture is completely out of the elements. Total height should be around 8 inches from water line. That should work correct?

yes. But again the fixture was designed to be used much higher is my only concern for you. Probably not too big a deal.

 

[bellasdad0911]

Well what I can do is raise the hood up with square lumber and put some trim around it to fill in gap. Basically add a few more inches of height. Where should I be 12 inches off water line?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Well what I can do is raise the hood up with square lumber and put some trim around it to fill in gap. Basically add a few more inches of height. Where should I be 12 inches off water line?

I would definitely try the dry fit I mentioned above. It a pretty set up, so id hate to mess with it. And measure twice cut once thinking.

 

[bellasdad0911]

I would definitely try the dry fit I mentioned above. It a pretty set up, so id hate to mess with it. And measure twice cut once thinking.

Absolutely, I will for sure do that!

 

[bellasdad0911]

So option 2 is completed, seems like it will work. Base of the pucks to the water line measured out at 10-11 inches. So far so good.

 

[jsker]

Make sure the lights have proper ventilation

 

[bellasdad0911]

Make sure the lights have proper ventilation

The lights will be mounted on top of the canopy not inside so they should be cool as can be.

 

[jsker]

The lights will be mounted on top of the canopy not inside so they should be cool as can be.

Awesome