DIY hybrid floating light canopy

[HJ99]

Looking for ideas and opinions on building a canopy or fixture to do T5 /Led hybrid. This is for a 6 ft 180. $600 + for two fixtures without bulbs seems a bit much to me but maybe not. I was thinking some cheap strip like T5 fixtures and mount everything in a DIY canopy. Thanks

 

[Saltyreef]

Why not do this 61" fixture?

61" Hybrid T5HO 4x80W Fixture

Welcome to the future of aquarium lighting! Combine your favorite LED Light module along with Aquatic Lifes T5 lighting fixture to create a stellar lighting system! Accepts many of your favorite LED lighting modules! Includes standard LED Light Brackets Powder Coated Aluminum Frame Individual...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

Unless you dont want or have any lower light corals, you dont need glass to glass coverage.

Im planning to run a 24" t5 hybrid on a 36" tank.

 

[Ratherbeflyen]

I built my own hood.

 

[Greybeard]

There really is no need to light a tank end to end... lights don't go straight down from the edge of the fixture. I'm running a 4' light over a 5' tank. A 5' light over your 6' tank should be fine.

Nothing wrong with T5's. They're certainly the least expensive entry for large tanks, and you KNOW, for a fact, that they'll grow corals. The right quantity, with the right bulbs, you can grow anything under T5's.

I do miss the shimmer, though. I'm an old Halide guy... Halides + PC, then Halides + VHO, eventually Halides + T5's... Awesome growth. Today, it's Kessel AP700's + T5's. You can get that halide shimmer, without needing a chiller (and an upgrade to your home's electrical service!)

 

[dhnguyen]

Not quite "floating" but here's a pic of my old tank

 

[HJ99]

Thanks for the suggestions. I hadn't considered not needing a 6 ' fixture. The DIY with the TV mounts is slick !

 

[LDog74]

Here is what I built. It pivots up and the air cylinders hold it up for working purposes. Tank is 78x28x26. 4 ReeFi Extremes & 2 ReeFi uno