Light fixture on top of glass top

[FL_chris]

Hi folks!

I've got a 40g tank with an aqueon versa top and 36" Catalina T5HO fixture. Right now the fixture just sits on top of the glass, which isn't the most stable configuration. I'd like some placement flexibility without building out a canopy and doing away with the minimalist aesthetic.

Before I call them up and order their plastic legs, I thought I'd see if anyone here has a better suggestion.

Thanks in advance!

-Chris

[KatzeSlaugen]

while waiting for mine i actually made a ceiling hang system. if your catalina is like mine it could be a snap to make.

all i really did was get some smallish chain, 2 pulleys for the chain, and 2 small wingnuts to "lock" the chain together to adjust the height. then i was going to drill small holes in the top of the metal to attach (have to be careful if your using just one chain to balance it out.) if you dont want to deal with balancing you could split the chain and attach it twice on each side. the pulleys and wingnut are so you can lower or raise the entire light system.

but alas, i decided to use it on another tank when i saw they threw in a pair of free legs for me

[Cliff]

You can get the legs or a hanging kit as well

I'm sorry, but I'm not very farmilar with your fixture. If it has good ventilation along the top, you could leave it on the glass. You just ahve to make sure it will not get too hot as that will shorten the life of the bulbs and could raise the temp of your tank. Some HOT5 fixture can get really hot if not vented well.

I have two double bulb T5 fixtures on my 90 gallon FW tank that sit directly on the glass top. They don't get too hot so I've just left them there.

[KatzeSlaugen]

the catalina i use is a 48inch 4bulb version of the one FL has. mine stays cool enough that if i wanted i could put it on the glass, but hot enough that it would make me nervous if i did.

[smaug]

If this is a planted tank the light will be slightly stronger to the plants if the fixture is left setting right on the glass. Due to reflection some light will be lost if there is a space there. If you have plenty of light for what you have then don't worry about that.

[FL_chris]

Thanks for the responses!

I like the hanging light idea, but it's impractical due to the high ceiling in that area.

The tank will be planted (as soon as the UPS guy shows up) and as I'm a complete noob, I'm not sure whether or not I'll mind losing a bit of light by raising it onto the legs.

I might get the legs just to be on the safe side, as feline footprints have already been spotted on the versa top.

[KatzeSlaugen]

got to love curious kitties! im actually considering putting mine i have on legs onto another homemade hanger. depending on what system you excatly have i dont think that the legs would hinder it too much.

[Lady Hobbs]

My last plant light was both ways. First on the glass and then later on legs. It lost some intensity once put on legs with that additional height but both worked. You need to keep the glass clean either way or that, too, will knock down on the intensity.