Mounting LEDs inside canopy

kazikage42 · Feb 28, 2017

Hi, I been wanting to get ideas how people mount their lights inside their canopy. Something that can allows the lights to move front back for maintenance. Not sure exactly what to use to make this happen. Let me see your ideas. Thanks

wkscott · Feb 28, 2017

Most brands of LEDs recommend that you NOT mount the lights in a canopy. The canopy will capture heat which will cause the LEDs to burn out rather quickly.
Some people make cutouts on the canopies and just set the lights on top of the canopy. Most LED lights should be 10 inches or more above the water so this may not work either.
Probably the standard option is to suspend the lights over the tank.

TbyZ · Feb 28, 2017

fearyaks · Feb 28, 2017

I have a split-hinged canopy and some AI Hydra 26s. I bought the EXT rails for them and 'hung them' from within the canopy using earthquake straps. It does the job but the bigger issue is they're too close to the waterline so they don't get as big a spread.

What type of LEDs do you have?

wkscott · Feb 28, 2017

fearyaks said:
I have a split-hinged canopy and some AI Hydra 26s. I bought the EXT rails for them and 'hung them' from within the canopy using earthquake straps. It does the job but the bigger issue is they're too close to the waterline so they don't get as big a spread.

What type of LEDs do you have?

He has the Chinese black box LEDs, so not suitable for in canopy mounting. They also need to be at least 10 inches above the waterline.

wkscott · Feb 28, 2017

Similar lights.

prsnlty · Feb 28, 2017

I have mine on slides that I made out of old (because they aren't flimsy like today's products) spring rods so I can slide them plus have a gap between the unit and canopy. I also have a vent at the top of the canopy and fans that blow across the lights. Mine are flanked by t5s and have been this way though 2 systems (about 5 years)

I need to look on my laptop for a better picture with lights out... brb

prsnlty · Mar 1, 2017

A couple more pics

kazikage42 · Mar 1, 2017

fearyaks said:
I have a split-hinged canopy and some AI Hydra 26s. I bought the EXT rails for them and 'hung them' from within the canopy using earthquake straps. It does the job but the bigger issue is they're too close to the waterline so they don't get as big a spread.

What type of LEDs do you have?

I have the ocean revives

kazikage42 · Mar 1, 2017

prsnlty said:
A couple more pics

What did you use for the sliders?

prsnlty · Mar 1, 2017

kazikage42 said:
I have the ocean revives

What are the hanger mounts like? Do you have a pic?

kazikage42 · Mar 1, 2017

prsnlty said:
What are the hanger mounts like? Do you have a pic?

Not at the moment, but the hanging kits looks just like any other hanging kit I've used before. I don't want to hang them in the canopy. I want to try mounting them to some kind of rail like yours that can slide

prsnlty · Mar 1, 2017

This is something I did on a smaller tank with a sbreef led. I zip tied the front to rear hooks together really tight. Works perfectly

prsnlty · Mar 1, 2017

kazikage42 said:
Not at the moment, but the hanging kits looks just like any other hanging kit I've used before. I don't want to hang them in the canopy. I want to try mounting them to some kind of rail like yours that can slide

You would need a flat head bolt set on it. AI Sol Blues have that on them and strong spring rods or j channel

kazikage42 · Mar 1, 2017

Never had a canopy so this gonna have me do alot of thinking and time at Lowe's lols

prsnlty · Mar 1, 2017

wkscott said:
Similar lights.

Are those knobs at the top of them? You will need to put a strip pf 1x2 or 2x2 like mine then mount the rod or j channel on it. That will give some clearance between the unit and top of the canopy. Maybe you can replace the hook screws with bolts? AI makes a j channel hanger you should take a look at.

wkscott · Mar 1, 2017

prsnlty said:
Are those knobs at the top of them? You will need to put a strip pf 1x2 or 2x2 like mine then mount the rod or j channel on it. That will give some clearance between the unit and top of the canopy. Maybe you can replace the hook screws with bolts? AI makes a j channel hanger you should take a look at.

Dimmer knobs and on/off switches.

prsnlty · Mar 1, 2017

kazikage42 said:
Never had a canopy so this gonna have me do alot of thinking and time at Lowe's lols

Yeah, you have to adapt a way for your particular units. I think you can possibly use Radion hangers also.

kazikage42 · Mar 1, 2017

prsnlty said:
Are those knobs at the top of them? You will need to put a strip pf 1x2 or 2x2 like mine then mount the rod or j channel on it. That will give some clearance between the unit and top of the canopy. Maybe you can replace the hook screws with bolts? AI makes a j channel hanger you should take a look at.

Thanks I'll have to check them out