Best clean way to Block Light

[Albeez]

like many I have my lights hanging from the ceiling over my tank and the extra light blares all over my living room- makes for a crappy movie watching experience. My tank is only 30g and i have a lot of equipment HOB so it's tough to build a canopy. Any other suggestions on blocking the light so it's directed into the tank rather than around the room? My light fixture is the same size as my tank.

 

[Albeez]

I still want easy access for feeding and want to keep the look clean and slick while blocking the light.

 

[robbrouse]

A canopy.. Will look the best IMO..

 

[Albeez]

Not sure how the light fans would vent with a canopy - any good blueprints out there? I've got a few ideas as I've Been considering building a canopy for a while now.

Could just make a three sided one with a crossbar that keeps it on the tank. Open top and open back. To feed and maintenance id just remove the whole thing. Other option is I do the same and jimmy rig something so the front comes off. Last option to try and encase the lights in a box, back will still need to be open for the HOB items. Sides would need to be jigsawed out for ventilation of the lights.

Hoping to upgrade the tank soon so don't want to go crazy, honestly would love a less complicated solution, maybe just tape on some black plastic like paper? Not sure how easy to access for feeding that would be though. Could do the paper so it just went halfway from light to tank so still had access for feeding. Just wouldn't look as nice.

Other thoughts??

 

[Reefing Madness]

I agree, canopy. Honestly, there are so many different designs out there, one will more than fit your needs.
DIY Aquarium Canopy Build | TimBob.com
DIY Aquarium Canopy - YouTube

 

[robbrouse]

I have 4 fans blow out of my canopy.. Works great.

 

[chefb_5]

I would def go with the 3 sided canopy with cross bar, so all u have to do is grab cross bar and lift off and make the canopy with light or thin wood.

 

[Genesis Corals]

LED lights. I believe you have T5's. My LEDs while not perfect are far more directed then T5's are ever going to be, just simply by design. Otherwise a canopy, there are some cool designs out there.

 

[Tphill]

My plan is to make a 'canopy' that hangs from the light, which hangs from the ceiling. I'll make it out of 1/4" plywood or some crown molding, angled from the bottom of the light towards the top rim of the tank. Mine will only hang down 3-4" below the light.

 

[turbo21]

maybe black cloth and attatch it to the light?
quick and easy

 

[427HISS]

I'm going to be in the same situation, as we plan on building a 40 breeder for clams in the living room. We really like the acrylic rimless tank with a Kessil pendant, so viewing over the top of the tank is unobstructed. Sô if you want to change out your current lighting check out Kessil, as being a pendant the light is directed downward.

 

[JMSKI333]

maybe black cloth and attatch it to the light?
quick and easy

+1 just throw a blanket over the tank when you're watching a movie or something. You could also slowly acclimate your corals to get used to the light closer to the water. That will reduce light spilling out. That in combination with a dark blanket should do it.

 

[that Reef Guy]

My T5 Fixture just sits on the Glass Top so I get absolutly no Light Spillage out of the Aquarium.

That would be the best Idea.

 

[Albeez]

Thanks all - I decided to build a canopy with a removable front that will match the stand I built. I got everything yesterday - just need a table saw so I can cut some 45 degree angles. I'll post a couple
Pics when it's done. For now I'm going with the cloth idea until it's built!

 

[Reefing Madness]

 

[lucky7]

Looks like a tek fixture, you could use the mounting legs to sit it on the tank

 

[M&M]

You could build hanging canopy out of acrylic like I did, clean look and easy to work around it.

 

[Reef Pets]

M&M - Thanks nice.

 

[Albeez]

Awesome canopy and stand - very sleek - Still doesn't solve the light going everywhere problem though...

 

[M&M]

Awesome canopy and stand - very sleek - Still doesn't solve the light going everywhere problem though...

It did solved for me, focuses light to go down in to aquarium , not spill in the room. Had the same problem as you, my tank sits in my living room where TV is too.