VHO Actinics and a PENDANT

[SnowManSnow]

I have a pendant over my tank right now with 400w DE MH 14k Hamilton light. I would really like to add some VHO Actinic to the equation some how. Has anyone ever built a 3 sided hood with top and back open and added VHO over BESIDE where the pendant hangs? Not exactly sure how to pull it off.

I was thinking 150 more watts with 2 24 inch bulbs on either side of the MH Pendant.

ANY ideas?

"you can't do it" isn't an acceptable answer haha.

Thanks!

B

 

[Anonymous]

Having seen the pics of your tank I would build trim (just 4 sides of a box) high enough to hide the VHO lights. Use a little molding and you could really dress it up. No reason to make a full hood unless you want to. VHO's are 1.5" in diameter so the "box" would only have to be about 3" above the top of the tank. I do not recall, but if you have stuf comming over the back you can put the board that is on the back on the flat across the top of the box, or cut the board to allow the stuff to pass. You do need a board on all four sides. If not it will fall apart.

You could also use a piece of all thread long enough to span the tank on the back side. You would have to put a nut and washer on both sides of the side planks. If you go with a thick molding on the sides you could counter bore a hole in it to hide the outer nut.

 

[trido]

Len hit the nail on the head. If you want to build it three sided. Use alot of wood glue and use some triangle supports at top and bottom of the inside corners. The bottom ones will hold it in place to. It should be plenty strong as long as you dont drop it. In that case your lights are gonners anyway. I had a two sided of oak on my ghetto thirty that was as stout as could be.

 

[trido]

Sorry

 

[trido]

Sorry

 

[SnowManSnow]

the issue isnt building the 3 sided canopy.. I've done that before with no problem. The issue is adding lights to each side of it.


B

 

[trido]

Hmmm, I dont understand your question then. You could cut more angle peices and mount the VHO to them to get a 45 angle downward. Does that help?


Sorry about the tripple post above. My internet has been a real bugger as of late.

 

[Anonymous]

I would just mount one in the front. It would really add depth to the tank. It makes the front lower end look bluer and deep and the high points will look more intense and appear much higher than they really are.

 

[SnowManSnow]

yea I'll have to go around the peremeter of the canopy somehow, since there is a big pendant hanging in the middle.

OR i may just change to a higher K MH

 

[Anonymous]

the issue isnt building the 3 sided canopy.. I've done that before with no problem. The issue is adding lights to each side of it.


B

Should not de difficult. Add a lip on the sides and mount the lights to that. Just make sure it is wide enough.

 

[SnowManSnow]

will i actually have to enclose the lights? Or would they be ok as long as they dont get splashed?

b

 

[Anonymous]

VHO can stand a little splash. No need to enclose them. On my old 110 and on my 60 I had the VHO lights sitting right on the top of the tank on a piece of glass.