Lighting a tank from a distance through glass top?

[rodger]

I am in the process of building a fishroom, and building a 700 gallon 6X6 tank. Originally I was going to leave open top, but have decided that is no longer a good idea due to choice of livestock. I am building a top for it with glass panes in a grid. I always planned to light the tank from the ceiling with LED floodlights. Now I am concerned that so much light will be reflected that it would be pointless. The lights as planned will be about 28" or so from the glass. Tank height with base will be close to 60". Anyone running LED floods from this distance, and how satisfied are you? Pictures? Note: I am 6'9", so I look down on the tank. Most people will look into the tank.

 

[Dan F]

A couple thoughts:

For a 6x6 footprint I would go with a polycarbonate top - it would be much lighter, stronger, and transmit light better.

Second, I would go with a taller base, especially since you're tall. I am only 5'6" and the top of my 210 is 5'5" - I really like looking right into the tank rather than down (my other big tank is lower and I have to sit down to get a good view). That would bring the lights a bit closer as well.

 

[rodger]

Lexan will sag over time, unless I get it thick enough it weighs as much as glass. It is also considerably more expensive. Agreed it is stronger with an impact and will reflect less, but this is a budget tank made from used 240's. I am considering taller but want the ease of maintenance. (budget meaning I still will have close to 2K in it when complete, including filtration.)

 

[Dan F]

Lexan will sag over time, unless I get it thick enough it weighs as much as glass. It is also considerably more expensive. Agreed it is stronger with an impact and will reflect less, but this is a budget tank made from used 240's. I am considering taller but want the ease of maintenance. (budget meaning I still will have close to 2K in it when complete, including filtration.)

I have had good success with the polycarbonate roofing material. The ridges make it quite rigid - you would have very little sag over a 6' span. The whole lid could be easily lifted with one hand.

As far as cost, you could build an aluminum frame and cover it with three sheets of pc roofing from Home Depot for around $100 or a bit more. If you have the glass for free it may be worth it, but a 6x6 glass lid is going to be heavy as heck.

 

[rodger]

Thanks, Dan. Followed up with a look at home depot. 13 lbs of pc sheet, less after fitting. Only 10% light reflection. It looks like a plan! I would be making it into 3 sections so I don't ever have to uncover it completely. I am weighing an ABS frame vs aluminum. Both are light enough. I should be able to keep frame well under $200 total.

 

[Paulbearer]

On my 350 I have these led spotlights about 18" off the top just for an ideal. They are 3x30 watt:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1m6jvHGvc0&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Sent from my LGL86C using MonsterAquariaNetwork App

 

[PDRed302]

I go through glass tops from around the same height that your talking about. I don't use led floods but more traditional led spot light/regular bulbs in basic adjustable ceiling cans. (Build and info in sig)

Just a heads up, when laying out your grid; really think about what kind of shadows you'll end up making inside the tank. Luckily my lights are adjustable and I am able to avoid any major drop shadows from my hood/top.



Good luck on the build and make sure to keep us updated!

 

[David R]

Second, I would go with a taller base, especially since you're tall. I am only 5'6" and the top of my 210 is 5'5" - I really like looking right into the tank rather than down (my other big tank is lower and I have to sit down to get a good view).

I'm 6' and the top of my tank is only ~4' tall. I prefer being able to lean over it with my feet planted firmly on the ground while working on it, and also having the tank at eye level while I'm chilling on the couch with a refreshing beverage in hand. But each to their own.

Regarding the lights, the LED flood lights will work well when raised above the tank as it gives the light more chance to spread, but as I found out [the hard way] they will cast shadows very easily, and in my case with black silicone holding the piece the lids sit on onto the bracing it puts big black stripes across my substrate. Having more lights or allowing the light from the individual sources to overlap can help reduce it, but I still ended up with this effect;

If you feel the lighting is too far off the tank you could always mount the floodlights on a section of aluminium C-channel and suspend that from the ceiling to bring the lights a bit closer to the tank.

 

[bbortko]

You could always hang the lights with aidcraft cable or jack chain.

 

[Chicxulub]

I use a $5 clamp lamp with a $20 LED flood light in it on my tank. It gives me great shimmer and a natural, sunlight-esq appearance. I love it!

Moved to setup and filtration.