Mounting options for my new LED's

[gnashty]

I bought 3 new LED fixtures for my 180. It came with supsension mounting kit but the length of the provided lines are too long. I could sinch them up but would still have to drill many holes in my new canopy which I would like to avoid.

I have an idea that could work but havent seen anything like it so I need advice.

I am thinking of creating a shelf inside my canopy with 3 portholes cut out to rest the fixtures on so the light can emit but the fixtures cannot fall thru. The shelf would be 72" in length with 3 ports about 12" by 8" spaced evenly apart. The fixtures would just rest on the wooden shelf, secured of course so they could not slide in the tank. Attached is a rough draft of what Im trying to explain.

What kind of wood?
Any better ideas?

 

[butch]

I'm not an expert, but since you have support legs under the span of the shelf, it should be good as long as the wood is sealed.

 

[rbredding]

use a 1.5"X3/4" "clete" that runs across the back and along the sides of the canopy.

take a piece of 3/4" plywood and cut out your shelf/light openings..

slide the "light shelf" in or out of the canopy as needed..
The light shelf shouldn't sag, but if it does, you can reinforce it with a series of front to back stiffeners made out of more 1.5"X3/4" plywood.

if it's at least 8" above the water surface, you'll be fine not to finish it at all.. but an oil based paint will do fine (or KILZ)..


you dont need supports like you've drawn, the clete will be enough, just make sure that your shelf is no more than 1/8" smaller than your inside canopy dimensions on each side (total canopy inside dimension - 1/4")

 

[gnashty]

I like your suggestion Ron, but there is no continous back to the canopy. only sides.

Now for the stupid question....what the heck is a clete?

If you havent guessed yet, Ill likely as someone else to build it.

 

[rbredding]

clete...
it's a piece of wood nailed to the inside of the canopy that will support the shelf from the bottom.. like a little ledge..


no problem on the "no back" just build the shelf with stiffeners that run along the front and back of the shelf.

this all can be built with a circular saw and a clamp.straight edge in about 30-45 minutes.. (ok, maybe an hour)

 

[Jaycen B.]

I know a woodworker that might be able to help.

 

[misu]

why not aluminum rails like I have? The "L" profile is strong enough to support my lights with no center support plus you can adjust them back-front as needed.

 

[grouper therapy]

If they are the fixtures I am thinking of just shorten the cables and keep that" in the way shelf "out of the canopy. Bring them to me and I will shorten them.
Or replace them with chain,That is my intent once i get mine in.

 

[gnashty]

Well, I already jumped the gun and started making the shelf. Its actually going to be more "out of the way" than the T5 fixture in there now which Im excited about. I will also have some extra space to store food etc..

Ill get pics up shortly, got one coat of killz on it already.

 

[smallblock]

nice cant wait to see it nash, hopefully I'll get to see it in person in about 3 weeks bud!!

 

[grouper therapy]

gnashty;684337 wrote: Well, I already jumped the gun and started making the shelf. Its actually going to be more "out of the way" than the T5 fixture in there now which Im excited about. I will also have some extra space to store food etc..

Ill get pics up shortly, got one coat of killz on it already.

Gary, you may want to consider a coat of paint as well. Kilz is an excellant sealer/ primer but is an extremely poor topcoat.

 

[grouper therapy]

You could support the shelf with some chains hanging down from the top of the canopy and get rid of the braces on the bottom of your shelf

 

[gnashty]

grouper therapy;684347 wrote: Gary, you may want to consider a coat of paint as well. Kilz is an excellant sealer/ primer but is an extremely poor topcoat.

Good idea, the killz looks like crud anyway. Whats the best paint to use since it will be right above the water? Oil based?

Edit:

grouper therapy;684354 wrote: You could support the shelf with some chains hanging down from the top of the canopy and get rid of the braces on the bottom of your shelf

I like this idea but Im doing my best to not drill into the top of the canopy.

 

[grouper therapy]

gnashty;684364 wrote: Good idea, the killz looks like crud anyway. Whats the best paint to use since it will be right above the water? Oil based?

Edit:

I like this idea but Im doing my best to not drill into the top of the canopy.

latex is fine I would use a gloss , a little easier to wipe down.

You could use Eye hooks that only screw into the canopy top not all the way through.

 

[smallblock]

I have an Idea, what if you put drawer rollers on each side of the shelf, you could roll it out if you had to do anything to the lights?

 

[gnashty]

Smallblock;684375 wrote: I have an Idea, what if you put drawer rollers on each side of the shelf, you could roll it out if you had to do anything to the lights?

That would be sweet, although I can just as easily take the fixtures out, they are just laying on the wood shelf.

 

[ichthyoid]

I think your design is great Gary, assuming that you have external vents in that space above the fixtures. They do put off some heat, although it will be less than your T-5's.

 

[rbredding]

ichthyoid;684515 wrote: I think your design is great Gary, assuming that you have external vents in that space above the fixtures. They do put off some heat, although it will be less than your T-5's.

he told me that the entire back is open..

 

[rbredding]

hey man... post up some pictures of that completed shelf.. I wanna see what you came up with...

 

[gnashty]

Rbredding;684578 wrote: hey man... post up some pictures of that completed shelf.. I wanna see what you came up with...

I texted you one yesterday....

I just got a coat of dark paint on it so let that dry and ill snap some new pics. unfortunately I used a Rustolium outdoor satin so I may need to get a gloss or clearcoat to go over the top of it with...further delaying the installation..

It is not the prettiest thing in the world but should be very functional.