Help with light in canopy decision (1 Viewer)

[alex6528]

I picked up a 90 gal tank, stand, and canopy combo a while back. Mainly for the stand and canopy. I sold the Aqueon 90 tank and plan to get a planet 90. I’m slowly keeping an eye out for deals on used stuff to build the setup with.
So my question is I found a quality 48” t5/175w metal halide combo, but I’m concerned about how difficult it will be changing bulbs or servicing the fixture. I believe I’ll have to remove the entire canopy to work on the fixture. Should I just plan on doing this once a year and deal with it? Or should I look for a 36” fixture that I could possibly build a slide out for that will slide the fixtures out the doors of the canopy?
Just hoping someone on here has some experience with this and can give some insight. I’ve attached a picture of the stand and canopy for reference.


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[steveb]

I used led and t5 in mine. Cody and I built a tray and then we mounted it in the canopy using stainless steel slides I got at a local Rockler store. It allows for easy bulb replacement.

starts in post #35
Steve’s Reef 265 Build | Member Tanks

I don't have a pic of it extended when fully finished but if you look throught the posts you can get an idea. I have 8 t5 bulbs that will need to be replaced from time to time.

 

[alex6528]

Yea I saw your post and that’s what gave me the slide idea. But if you look at my canopy the only issue I’ll have is that my doors don’t open the full width of the tank or canopy. I think I could make a 36” fixture work on a slide but that’d be it.


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[steveb]

ah ok. I missed that.

 

[alex6528]

So after seeing the canopy, should I just plan on removing the canopy once a year to service the lights, or look into other options?


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[steveb]

if you center a 36" that is going to leave 6" on each side. You could use those ends for lower light corals. If you want the full 48" then yeah I guess plan on pulling the canopy once a year unless the bulbs are accessible. are you sure the fixture would fit inside the canopy? You could rig up a hydraulic lift to raise the canopy. hydraulic lift aquarium canopy - Google Search

 

[alex6528]

I forget the exact measurement buts its something like 49” or 49.5” inside of the canopy.


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[Birdman]

how is the heat with a t 5 in a canopy? Im wanting to do the same think but not want to pull canopy off every year.

 

[alex6528]

Not sure. With metal halides I’m sure it’ll be warm. Tank is already cut for fans. So I’ll have one blowing in and one pulling out.


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