Lighting Idea for cube tank.

[JasonJ]

tank is 30" x 30" x 18" 70gal cube.

i dont want to use those hanging ones. since i dont want to put holes in the ceiling. i will be keeping mostly softies and a few lps ( brains & frogspawns)
coralife aqualight pro doesnt come in 30"...only 24" 36" etc.
my other options are

this
http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/store_pages/details/l-pc.php?product_ID=pc-ll30652

or

this
http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/store_pages/details/l-mh-pene.php?product_ID=MH-CPENA20

any other suggestions are welcome. pls help thanks.

[Ruth]

I bought this cube from Snoop Dog and the way the lights are set up is really cool. If you are at all handy or know someone who is this works really well for a cube of about the same size as you are setting up
http://216.187.96.54/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=20643&page=5

[JasonJ]

thanks ruth.

almost the same set up as mine. just not that much plumbing. lol.
thats a nice idea. any other options?.

[Delphinus]

I built a sort of "hangman" thing out of 2x4's for my 30" cube. Basically a really large L bracket and I suspended my pendent from that. I was looking for an "L" bracket but I couldn't find one long enough for my liking as I wanted the light perfectly centred over my tank.

It's a bit ghetto though since it's just untreated 2x4's. I just made a little frame for it that sits behind the tank stand and the wall and it basically just leans into the tank, ie. I can slide it out sideways if I need to.

[kwirky]

30"x30" will be hard to cover with either of those lights without dead spots IMHO. I've got a 150W hqi light that I'll be using for a nano cube I'm planning, and when I turn it on, it doesn't spread well for anything larger than 18x18", really. I'll probably be building the tank 18x18x18" accordingly. And that's with a DIY shoplight pendant, which advanced aquarist rated as the best 150W reflector for an area around 2'x2'.

advanced aquarist has some good reviews of reflectors you could peruse through. I like delphinus's over the tank hangman brace idea. it could allow you to hang a pendant without putting holes in your ceiling.

[AndyL]

Luminarc reflector, single 175w mogul...

There's various ways to mount without drilling the ceiling, personally i like shelves installed to hang pendants from. One of the older style desklamps (think pixars bouncy one) can support a fair bit of weight. Many have mounted a single (or two) bent peices of electrical conduit. PVC piping same thing.

Dont forget a 24" fixture often will fit a 30" tank - legs often extend that extra 3" each side. Otherwise you could add a piece of square plastic tube on the top of the tanks rim to support the legs.

[G1GY]

I bought this cube from Snoop Dog and the way the lights are set up is really cool. If you are at all handy or know someone who is this works really well for a cube of about the same size as you are setting up
http://216.187.96.54/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=20643&page=5

I just love everything about that cube. :)

[Ruth]

Me too if I could ever get all my plumbing leaks fixed. I think I am going to have to tear everything appart and replace (probably soon).

[Veng68]

I bought this 150w DE HQI pendent (with bulb) from Aquatic Ecosytem

http://www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/product.detail/iid/3777

I had it shipped to my friend in Seattle and after exchange it was ~$190.

Cheers,
Vic [veng68]

[Der_Iron_Chef]

How about something like this (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=13975&cm_mmc=Shopping%20Portal-_-NexTag-_-Fish-_-Pro%2030%20250W&ref=3665&subref=AA&GCID=C12188x007)? Looks sweet and it's 30"!

Edit: Oh yeah, it seems to be on sale right now for $280 USD...not sure what the total price tag would be with conversion and shipping, but perhaps you can find this in Canada.

[JasonJ]

wow i like that sunpod fixture. really nice.
hmm i think i've seen one at king ed's.

[JasonJ]

anyone know how much area does the coralife clamp on MH pendant cover?