Power Compact question

stumpy08 · 02/15/2008, 07:49 PM

I received my Odyssea power compact light today. (24" - 130 watt). I have 2 questions:

1. Do I have to use the legs that came with it or can I just lay it on top of my glass top?

2. If I need to use the legs does anyone know how to attach them to the light?

shawnkfl · 02/15/2008, 08:11 PM

on the legs, there is the hinge part with a screw in it. take the screw out and that piece will slide into slots on the back of the fixture. then put the legs in place and put the screws back in. that's how mine worked anyway. you don't HAVE to use the legs, but it's pretty close to the water surface if you don't.

stumpy08 · 02/15/2008, 10:24 PM

Thanks for the help with the legs. I'm going to work on it in the morning.
Is it a bad thing that the light is close to the water? Would the problem be with the light causing too much heat? It would be sitting on a glass top so no water can get to the light.

stumpy08 · 02/16/2008, 07:42 AM

bump

ManotheSea · 02/16/2008, 08:12 AM

You would be better off with no glass on top at all for several reasons. Its one of those things that LFS push to sell but isnt widely used in reefing. The only reason I can see for using a glass cover is if you keep eels. The glass would prevent their escape.

On the down side - It will trap heat. The tank will be healthier with open air exchange for the biological processes that occure. The glass will get salt covered and block the light. It will cause salt creep where salt deposits begin to form outside of the tank. It will get in the way as you work on inside the tank.

I would do away with the glass cover and use the light with the legs. If you dont like that look you can build an open air canopy using 1"x1"s and vinyl laminate cover or use wire suspension cables to hang the light.

If you are handy, you might want to keep in mind for later that it could be possible to shoehorn one or two 150w or 175w MH retro kit into a fixture like that. Its a cheap way to expand those lights when you want more punch down the road.

teamdulski · 02/16/2008, 08:56 AM

I 2nd that. ^^^

stumpy08 · 02/17/2008, 09:35 PM

Thanks for the info. I have noticed that the tank temp has went up a little. I put the legs on just a few minutes ago but it looks a little funny since my tank is a 54 gallon corner and the legs are sitting on the glass top. Its also partially lighting my living room! I'll try to figure something.

What is a open air canopy?

DawnOctopus · 02/17/2008, 11:12 PM

I have a 54 gallon corner also, and it was def a PITA to light! I started out with a 30" PC light resting on the glass versa top like you were thinking of doing. It worked okay, since all I had were zoas, shrooms, and fish.
I have since upgraded to a 24" 6 bulb T-5 fixture, and I had to hang it from the ceiling. Good luck. Corner tanks are tricky, I should have realized that when I was trying to fit a sump under that tiny little stand!

Good luck!

02/15/2008, 07:49 PM	#1
stumpy08 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Malden, WV Posts: 92	Power Compact question I received my Odyssea power compact light today. (24" - 130 watt). I have 2 questions: 1. Do I have to use the legs that came with it or can I just lay it on top of my glass top? 2. If I need to use the legs does anyone know how to attach them to the light?

02/16/2008, 08:56 AM	#6
teamdulski The Saltiest! Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Rochester/Canandaigua, NY Posts: 1,028	I 2nd that. ^^^ __________________ -Adam Current Tank Info: 34 gal solana, gen 2 radion, MP-10, Reef Octopus HOB

02/15/2008, 08:11 PM	#2
shawnkfl Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Largo Posts: 227	on the legs, there is the hinge part with a screw in it. take the screw out and that piece will slide into slots on the back of the fixture. then put the legs in place and put the screws back in. that's how mine worked anyway. you don't HAVE to use the legs, but it's pretty close to the water surface if you don't.

02/15/2008, 10:24 PM	#3
stumpy08 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Malden, WV Posts: 92	Thanks for the help with the legs. I'm going to work on it in the morning. Is it a bad thing that the light is close to the water? Would the problem be with the light causing too much heat? It would be sitting on a glass top so no water can get to the light.

02/16/2008, 07:42 AM	#4
stumpy08 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Malden, WV Posts: 92	bump

02/16/2008, 08:12 AM	#5
ManotheSea Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: FL Posts: 414	You would be better off with no glass on top at all for several reasons. Its one of those things that LFS push to sell but isnt widely used in reefing. The only reason I can see for using a glass cover is if you keep eels. The glass would prevent their escape. On the down side - It will trap heat. The tank will be healthier with open air exchange for the biological processes that occure. The glass will get salt covered and block the light. It will cause salt creep where salt deposits begin to form outside of the tank. It will get in the way as you work on inside the tank. I would do away with the glass cover and use the light with the legs. If you dont like that look you can build an open air canopy using 1"x1"s and vinyl laminate cover or use wire suspension cables to hang the light. If you are handy, you might want to keep in mind for later that it could be possible to shoehorn one or two 150w or 175w MH retro kit into a fixture like that. Its a cheap way to expand those lights when you want more punch down the road.

02/17/2008, 09:35 PM	#7
stumpy08 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Malden, WV Posts: 92	Thanks for the info. I have noticed that the tank temp has went up a little. I put the legs on just a few minutes ago but it looks a little funny since my tank is a 54 gallon corner and the legs are sitting on the glass top. Its also partially lighting my living room! I'll try to figure something. What is a open air canopy?

02/17/2008, 11:12 PM	#8
DawnOctopus Octopus in Training Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Billerica, MA Posts: 113	I have a 54 gallon corner also, and it was def a PITA to light! I started out with a 30" PC light resting on the glass versa top like you were thinking of doing. It worked okay, since all I had were zoas, shrooms, and fish. I have since upgraded to a 24" 6 bulb T-5 fixture, and I had to hang it from the ceiling. Good luck. Corner tanks are tricky, I should have realized that when I was trying to fit a sump under that tiny little stand! Good luck!