80/20 Stands, light mounts, etc

[popsbjd]

Yes, I bought some tracks to slide in and out of the canopy of my office tank. I have not put it together yet.

I've never done anything with this. If you have plans or a website you are following (although it looks like you know what you are doing) that would be helpful for someone like me who has no idea about this stuff...

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[Shawn]

You weren’t kidding. That looks great!

This was the setup I was talking about Sunday Austin.

 

[o0o_the_mutt_o0o]

Still in the process of getting everything dialed in!!!!!!!

 

[gainesvillereef]

I've never done anything with this. If you have plans or a website you are following (although it looks like you know what you are doing) that would be helpful for someone like me who has no idea about this stuff...

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Unfortunately, I don't have any plans. This stuff is really for one of the kind projects. My primary resource was the catalog and calculators on 80/20.net. I spent 2-3 weeks researching and designing before I pulled the trigger on the first tank. I way overbuilt my first one. I want zero wobbles. I kept reducing my excessive safety margins on the second and third tank stands. I did build my second light rack as strong as the first because I really liked having something strong I could grab on to if needed. I could literally stand on top of my light racks. They have already saved my butt once. Anyway, I would be happy to take you through the resources you need and share my experiences if you would like to take on an 8020 project. I chose this material because my woodshop became my fish room. I no longer had the tools or place to cut, build or paint. It is also lighter than the equivalent wood structure and I could build and move everything by my feeble self.

 

[gainesvillereef]

One other thing about my project. I wanted to mount my lights very high so I could look down over the tops of my corals. My lights are 20 inches high. We could do another whole thread on the issues I have encountered with doing that. I think I am where I want to be with it now.

 

[Trizzino]

Just Curious, why 20 inches? And what does that do to the PAR output?

 

[gainesvillereef]

Just Curious, why 20 inches? And what does that do to the PAR output?

So I wouldn't bang my fat "mellon" when I lean over the tank. It also makes it easier to clean and work in with long tools. These are frag tanks that I intend to play in. Not display tanks. It does reduce par but how much depends on the light. Most lights are designed to be around 8 inches of the water. Dealing with it has been a journey. Too long to go into on a single post. Maybe I will start a thread about it next week.