do you guys prefer canopies or hood-lights or pendants?

[Jamie1210]

I'm thinking of setting up another tank, somewhere in the 45 gallon range. I've always preferred the look of a canopy, but it's gonna be a bit pricey to get someone to make one. Lately, though, the look of having one of those complete hood setups from, say, corallife is starting to grow on me. Looks-wise, what does everyone here prefer? Canopy, or all-in-one fliptop hood, or pendant? Maybe your answers will help me decide what to get

Thanks,
Jamie

[plyr58]

I love the light fixture showing. I guess I"m as much into the tech that goes into a setup as I am the setup itself (I can drool over calcium reactors and protein skimmers all day long). I wouldn't spend the money on a coralife. Check out aquatraders.com. There is about a 600 page thread on their lights here somewhere, I personally have one of the aqualight pro equivalents on my 90G reef and I love it. I work in a LFS and took apart the aqualight pro and mine side by side and cannot tell a difference in the guts other than the ballasts. For the money, you can't beat it, not even with a retro kit.

[HBtank]

I like canopies because they keep my fish in!

I think either can look as cool, with the right eye and setups, but I have noticed that a full canopy makes aquariums look taller....

[OliverM3]

I like a combination of both pendants hanging through an open top canopy.
I don't like the blinding light of an open top light.

But I do like the benefits of not covering the tank. (Better cooling no fans to make noise)

So I hang my lights just below the top of my open canopy.

Shot at 2 weeks:

[NHfishguy]

I like the look of a canopy. I deal with the heat issues with extra fans. Works for me as the room the tank is in is air conditioned during the warmer months.

Tom

[masonicman]

I have the canopy. I like the way it make the tank look like a piece of funiture. I use a fan to blow across the lights and I took the top off to let the heat escape.

[LobsterOfJustice]

If you are going to do a pendant, get a rimless tank. It is harder to make a pentant look good, but if done well can look better than a canopy IMO. Something about it is more sleek and modern. That said, given the fact that almost all fish are jumpers at some point, it really limits your fish options.

[Aadler]

Ya i like the canopy for the safetly of jumpers, and because I have access to a woodshop and can make the stands/canopy myself. If that were not the case... i would like galss tops and a pendant im sure :c).

But overall i think a light hanging from the ceiling does not look good. Or one on brackets.

[Flint&Eric]

i hate the look of a canopy. prefer pendants myself.

[hyperfocal]

I like canopies. For the looks, but also because I can screw stuff into/onto them

[arts007]

Myself I prefer canopies, it kind of compliments the stand to make a complete piece. I also like the fact that I can put different combinations of lighting in one piece.

[Chibils]

Depends on the tank. It has to coordinate.

But for the record, Geismann fixtures are hot. I'd scrap my canopy if I had one just so I could stare at it.

[Pmolan]

There's a guy on ebay who makes stands and canopies, ships for free.
http://stores.ebay.com/Dayton-Cabinets-4-You

[SALT WATER CRAZ]

I like canopies to hide my big lumenarc reflectors.

[cloak]

MH, I would go with a pendant. This one has worked really well with the VHO's though.

[lancer99]

Full canopy for the 75g in the living room. Black stand, black canopy, back of tank painted black.....once guests have finished with the "ooh, what pretty fish," "are those plants alive?" and (if they're a little clued in) "is that a saltwater aquarium?" Then take them downstairs into the fishroom.

Other than fellow reefers, I haven't seen anyone who wasn't dazed & confused by all the plumbing and electrical accessories.

-R

[RobNJ]

canopy with retro kit i think is more affordable and you can create your own mix and matched system.

[Pmolan]

Originally posted by lancer99
Other than fellow reefers, I haven't seen anyone who wasn't dazed & confused by all the plumbing and electrical accessories.

-R

I get the "How do you know how to do all that??"

I say "RC!!"