Slick halide pendent DIY ideas????

[greenstarfish03]

I have upgraded tanks to a 30x30x30 cube and my existing lights don't fit very well. I'm currently using 5- 36" T-5's and I'm thinking about going w/ a Halide pendent b/c I think it will fit well over the cube. The problem I have is the tank is right in the kitchen and my wife will have a cow if this isn't really slick looking. At first she said she sisn't wanta nything hanging from the celing, but I told her maybe I could custome make the pendenents so they are cool. Thnk blown glass outside that u may see at Starbuck? She is good w/ that but now that I say it I'm not sure how to do it. Like I said I have only used T5's in the past.

Would it be possible to buy a cool pendent for a regular light and then remove the guts and replace them w/ a DIY halide kit? Anyone ever try anything like this? Any pointers or pics would be great.

Thanks

[greenstarfish03]

The wife is really picky:) I will have to pass all ideas by her. At first she didn't want anything hanging from the celing but I want to be able to get into the tank easy as well so Im not so keen on setting a canopy on top. I guess I have to think about it a little.

[greenstarfish03]

I want to basicaly modify a pendent like this to handle a metal halide. Is that possible? How b are the ballasts for a metal halide? Is it similar to my T5 or smaller? I hope smaller. My big issue is what in the heck do I do w/ the ballast.

[Sir Patrick]

Gotta be careful about heat and a glass pendant housing likr that. The heat could bust it.

A hanging and stand matching canopy could be pretty nice looking!! I like chorts idea. Run it by the wife!

[greenstarfish03]

She may have no choice b/c that is looking like the only good option. As long as I can come up w/ a design that is easy to get in and out of and looks nice she will be fine:) I think.

[iyachtuxivm]

Cant you just put a canopy on top of this tank?

[Sir Patrick]

Greenstarfish-

Take a look at jimsflies tank for sale in the selling forum. His canopy is held up with cool acrylic rods. Pretty cool idea!!