Michigan Cichlid Association

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: E.Y. on March 26, 2016, 05:24:32 PM

Title: 125 gallon lighting
Post by: E.Y. on March 26, 2016, 05:24:32 PM

Do I need to order two 36-48" lights?  I'm thinking the 24-36" is going to be too short.

Title: Re: 125 gallon lighting
Post by: Marty on March 26, 2016, 07:13:38 PM

Do you have a canopy?  Measure how much room you have end to end and check the measurements of the fixtures to see what will fit.

Title: Re: 125 gallon lighting
Post by: E.Y. on March 26, 2016, 07:28:55 PM

I have a canopy.  No brackets or anything for the lights to attach to.  There is a middle brace on the tank that is dead center (36"), but in order for the bracket on a light to go over the plastic, it would need to be 37"

Title: Re: 125 gallon lighting
Post by: Marty on March 26, 2016, 07:45:48 PM

They should be able to sit on the glass tops.

Title: Re: 125 gallon lighting
Post by: E.Y. on March 26, 2016, 07:48:53 PM

Tank didn't come with tops... Now that you mention it though, I could probably just mount a larger light to the top of the canopy.  Or but glass tops.

Title: Re: 125 gallon lighting
Post by: E.Y. on March 26, 2016, 07:50:26 PM

Think I'm headed up to Petsmart for tops...  Thank you!! ;D

Title: Re: 125 gallon lighting
Post by: Ava333 on March 26, 2016, 09:31:17 PM

When I still used a wood canopy, I mounted the 36" lights with a short wood screw and a super wide metal washer. Just put the end part of the adjustable bar in between the washer and hood. When you tighten the screw up enough, the lights don't move, even when your moving the hood around.

Title: Re: 125 gallon lighting
Post by: E.Y. on March 27, 2016, 09:15:28 AM

Thanks Ava!  Always fun picking up new ideas and information from fellow enthusiasts.

Title: Re: 125 gallon lighting
Post by: kodyboy on March 28, 2016, 03:51:35 PM

I picked up a 48" 5000 Kelvin led shoplight from Sam's club for $35.....nice light.

Title: Re: 125 gallon lighting
Post by: E.Y. on March 29, 2016, 12:56:41 PM

Nice, I will have to check that out.  Maybe costco will have something similar.  Appreciate it.

Title: Re: 125 gallon lighting
Post by: Regalblue on March 29, 2016, 01:40:11 PM

Grab a couple 36" LED fixtures from Home Depot & mount them to the inside of the canopy.

Title: Re: 125 gallon lighting
Post by: E.Y. on March 29, 2016, 03:15:50 PM

Hmmmmm....  So many ideas!  I purchased the glass tops, but I think those were needed regardless due to the amount of evaporation that was happening.

Thanks for all the input.

Title: Re: 125 gallon lighting
Post by: Leo on March 29, 2016, 04:47:07 PM

I am currently doing DYI lighting for my tanks


If it all goes well, i will post pics  :)

Title: Re: 125 gallon lighting
Post by: E.Y. on March 29, 2016, 08:07:54 PM

I'd like to see! Post them pics!

Title: Re: 125 gallon lighting
Post by: Ava333 on April 05, 2016, 09:52:39 PM

I didn't like the canopy on my tank for cleaning/vacumming reasons. It's a 6' tank though and I got tired of having to have someone help me remove it when I wanted to clean well.

So if you ever end up with a tank without the hood but has the glass lids, here's an idea. Suspend the lights from a shelf the some thin chain (got mine at Hobby Lobby for $6).

Title: Re: 125 gallon lighting
Post by: rickten on April 06, 2016, 06:18:38 PM

great idea!! Looks great

Title: Re: 125 gallon lighting
Post by: E.Y. on April 06, 2016, 10:32:40 PM

That is a really neat idea.  Does look great!

Title: Re: 125 gallon lighting
Post by: Ava333 on April 08, 2016, 08:07:05 AM

Thanks!

Title: Re: 125 gallon lighting
Post by: four_by_ken on April 19, 2016, 10:49:34 AM

Quote from: E.Y. on March 29, 2016, 03:15:50 PM

Hmmmmm....  So many ideas!  I purchased the glass tops, but I think those were needed regardless due to the amount of evaporation that was happening.

Thanks for all the input.

If you dont use the glass tops, the wood will rot from the condensation.