DIY Light Hanging Kit

[brian313313]

I have just bought a rimless aquarium and would like to mount the lights on arms from the back of the aquarium, or some L-brackets attached to the wall. I can't seem to find anything. What would be a good material to use? I don't have anywhere to spray paint so that limits my options.

Also, has anyone tried to use a brush to paint the back of an aquarium? Can't spray and I'd like to cover the back where possible.

Thanks.

 

[butch]

Use a roller on the back of your tank. It will come out much smother.

 

[jbadd99]

Can't help with the brackets, I used aluminum with pop rivets. As for the paint on the back, lots of others have had success with latex paint and a roller.

 

[rdnelson]

I used Krylon Fusion spray paint on my tank and it worked great. Gave a very even coat. I also went blue which I love. Makes it look like the whole ocean is behind the tank.

 

[brian313313]

The roller will work. I have one of the small finish rollers too. I didn't think latex would stick to glass though.

 

[sleepyreef]

I used rustoleum paint with a roller before. I have used metal conduit and bent it at a 90 degree angle with a conduit bender for light mounts.

 

[eagle9252]

If you go outside where u live go to a local park away from everyone hang from a tree. Ranch
Spray them and the read a book or surf the net till dry. The fushion dries quick

 

[picoreefguy]

you could use shelf brackets that you can get at a hardware store they hold a decent amount of weight ive used them before and they hold up very well and another member has as well heres a link to his thread you can see his brackets on the first page

 

[brian313313]

Spray paint outside tends to attract bugs for me. I've never had much luck with that.

I tried the decorative shelf brackets and they didn't make them large enough. I saw these and they would work. The don't look as bad as I thought they would once it's set up. The LED fixture is almost the same as mine.

 

[acroholic]

Brian,
I posted this in the bulkhead thread you started, but Lowes on Mansell Rd. sells heavy duty shelf brackets that reach 20" from the wall. I used them on my deep dimensions tank lights. I just remembered I have one I need to pull of the wall that is painted black. It held the light for my 150 DD tank that I sold on a while back. PM me if you want it.

 

[brian313313]

Hi Dave,

I checked at that Lowes this weekend but didn't see anything. I was looking for decorative shelf brackets though. Is that what you found or is it the regular L-brackets? I'm not worried about the weight because the LEDs are only 10 lbs.

I started this new thread since the subject on the other was off.

Acroholic;803704 wrote: Brian,
I posted this in the bulkhead thread you started, but Lowes on Mansell Rd. sells heavy duty shelf brackets that reach 20" from the wall. I used them on my deep dimensions tank lights. I just remembered I have one I need to pull of the wall that is painted black. It held the light for my 150 DD tank that I sold on a while back. PM me if you want it.

 

[realfish]

I used wrought iron plant hangers from a garden store.

 

[acroholic]

brian313313;803735 wrote: Hi Dave,

I checked at that Lowes this weekend but didn't see anything. I was looking for decorative shelf brackets though. Is that what you found or is it the regular L-brackets? I'm not worried about the weight because the LEDs are only 10 lbs.

I started this new thread since the subject on the other was off.

Well, I wouldn't exactly call them "decorative." L brackets with a support piece welded. Loks just like this, except mine is black. Looks OK and is really strong.

alt="" />

 

[brian313313]

Yeah, I saw those at Lowes. I'm trying to find something more decorative though. Pure Reef is checking on some arms that connect to the back of the stand they look real nice. They're made by AquaticLife but the product description doesn't say how far forward they go. Some of the reviews complain they either hang too far back or forward, but nobody mentioned how deep they actually were.

 

[eagle9252]

http://www.thehardwarehut.com/catalog-product.php?p_ref=13336">http://www.thehardwarehut.com/catalog-product.php?p_ref=13336</a>
[B]<span style="font-size: 13px">JWC-35-033</span>[/B]

<span style="font-size: 13px">John Wright Company 16-3/4" (425mm) Cast Iron Ivy Shelf Bracket - PAIR (Antique White)</span>



[IMG]http://www.thehardwarehut.com/images/shelfbrackets/jwc-35-033.jpg alt="" />

http://www.prowoodmarket.com/wood-bracket-02t4/">http://www.prowoodmarket.com/wood-bracket-02t4/</a>

[IMG]http://cdn1.bigcommerce.com/server200/df99e/products/37/images/201/Wooden_Bracket_02T4__30837.1264803834.60.60.jpg alt="" />

http://www.architecturaldepot.com/BKT23X25-p-brackets-gingerbreads-urethane.html">http://www.architecturaldepot.com/BKT23X25-p-brackets-gingerbreads-urethane.html</a>

[IMG]http://images.architecturaldepot.com/images/id/0050/50569.jpg alt="" />

 

[heathlindner25]

you could buy a piece of electrical conduit, and bend two 90's. Use the Bender at the store and their tape measure! Buy one 10' stick bend 90's on each end take home and cur in half.paint black. Buy some 2 hole straps while your there. Keep your foot on the Bender the whole time your bending,and use 3/4" pipe. Just a thought.

 

[rdnelson]

heathlindner25;803896 wrote: you could buy a piece of electrical conduit, and bend two 90's. Use the Bender at the store and their tape measure! Buy one 10' stick bend 90's on each end take home and cur in half.paint black. Buy some 2 hole straps while your there. Keep your foot on the Bender the whole time your bending,and use 3/4" pipe. Just a thought.

If you go that route, wipe the conduit down with vinegar before painting. I will stick better.

 

[leyth]

Here is a good DIY for the electric conduit method. I personally am going to try this method I think.

 

[brian313313]

I like the conduit idea. I think someone posted that earlier on another thread of mine but I didn't know what they were talking about. The only thing I'm concerned about is will this rust or decompose in any way dripping metals into the aquarium? Painted should help but salt is quite corrosive.

What I may try to do is the one-arm and attach it to my stand lightly so it will swing out of the way.

 

[chike87]

I used electrical conduit, bent it 90 degrees, painted it, and screwed it into the bad of my tank stand. Worked out great for me. Easy to do. See picture attached.
<fieldset class="gc-fieldset">
<legend> Attached files </legend>

>

class="gc-images" title="tank light stand.jpg[/IMG] style="max-width:300px" /></a> </fieldset>