How do I Mount MH/VHO Lights?

[cofstl411]

I have a 6 ft Hamilton Technologies MH/VHO lighting fixture that came with my 125 gallon tank. The previous owner mentioned that he had some supports for the light to sit on the tank itself. I could not find any and I don't think that hanging it from my ceiling is an option. Is there an elusive bracket or mount that I just can't find. If not can I just place something on the tank itself like blocks of wood to lift the light up off the tank?

[Reefland]

Hi cofstl411,

Unfortunately, there isn't a lot of pre-made stands that can be used for lift fixtures from the tank like you are mentioning. This is why a lot of people either get retrofit kits and mount them in their own canopies or go with the hanging option.

In cases such as yours, the aquarist is forced to get creative and often times required to get out some power tools to come up with something. In your case, I think cutting some wood that would raise the canopy up above the tank the desired height by placing the blocks on the ends of the tank and setting the fixture on top of it would be a good method. I would suggest that these blocks of wood be painted with several coats of paint and even clear coated to ensure they don't rot from the moisture.

The question for you is, how handy are you and do you have access to the tools to do this?