Bummer – Dead Fish – Need Hood Ideas

[redfishbluefish]

I really hate it when a fish dies, and it could have been avoided.  My Coral Beauty decided to go carpet surfing, probably by the two new fish I just added being very skitterish and scaring the CB.  When this pair of Blue Throat Triggers is spooked, they would bolt into the rocks like a bull in a china shop.  What really bothers me is that it all could have been avoided if I had finished building the hood.  So I’m moving the hood built up on the list and need ideas on how to move the lights out of the way to get into the tank (without lifting the whole hood off.)  I have a row of six T5’s that span the entire width of the tank.  They sit about 2-3 inches off the water.  You cannot reach into the tank without currently pushing the lights back.  When incorporated into a hood, I will not be able to push them back.  Just wondering what others do to get them out of the way to reach into the tank.  My first thought is to hinge the back so that the front of the lights could be lifted up a few inches.  Any other thoughts on how to do this?  Thanks.

 

[SirFragalot]

Re: Bummer – Dead Fish – Need Hood Ideas

That sounds like a great idea putting a hinge on the back. I have been wanting to do that myself so I dont have to slide the fixture back.

 

[concept3]

Re: Bummer – Dead Fish – Need Hood Ideas

Try this :

http://www.njreefers.org/joomla/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=26&topic=13179.0

 

[redfishbluefish]

Re: Bummer – Dead Fish – Need Hood Ideas

Try this :

http://www.njreefers.org/joomla/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=26&topic=13179.0

Merv, nice build! The problem I have is that my lights are maybe 16 7/8 inches wide while the tank width is 17 inches. My hood will be completely closed and I therefore have no room to slide the light out of the way.

 

[redfishbluefish]

Re: Bummer – Dead Fish – Need Hood Ideas

Here’s another thought, and I need input on this….make the canopy twice as high as I need it. The lower part, with a false front, will rise straight up into the upper part of the canopy, opening up the tank, to be able to reach in. This lower part would be on tracks…maybe draw slides mounted vertically. And there would be some sort of counter weight to assist in lifting this mass….and that is where I need input. Are you aware of anyone doing something similar or could you comment on what I could use for a counter weight? I think I like this way more than the hinged way because the lights will still be pointing straight down into the tank. Thanks.