Way to hang t-5 fixture?

[thomas138]

I currently have my t-5 fixture sitting on wood blocks to elevate it off of the glass tops. I now want to go with a mesh screen cover and sitting the wood blocks on that will no longer work. I want to go with an open look so a canopy isn't something I would like ether. The tank is in a room with a high ceiling so hanging it from there will also not work. I have seen some people use some sort of free standing hanging arms but I have not seen anything like this to buy, any ideas?

 

[tony_caliente]

I managed to lay mine on top of two 2x4s under my shallow canopy. I can easily close my canopy. I just had ro use a hole saw to make room gor the power cord input. I also have a mesh screen top.

 

[thomas138]

What are the 2x4's sitting on?

 

[tony_caliente]

The sides of my tank. They don't block any of the light. Tomorrow, i will take a pic and send it to you. I also managed to sneak some LEDS in there for shimmer using a curtain rod. When the canopy is closed all is hidden.

 

[thomas138]

Ahh I see, sounds like a good setup I'll be on the look out for some pics :up:

 

[thomas138]

Something like this http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem.aspx?idProduct=CU01092&tab=1">http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem.aspx?idProduct=CU01092&tab=1</a>

But spending $80 on hanging arms is way outta my budget. Anyone know of anything similar that may not exactly be for this use

 

[ichthyoid]

Thomas138;532370 wrote: Something like this http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem.aspx?idProduct=CU01092&tab=1">http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem.aspx?idProduct=CU01092&tab=1</a>

But spending $80 on hanging arms is way outta my budget. Anyone know of anything similar that may not exactly be for this use[/QUOTE]

I saw a setup at Justindville's where he used metal electrical conduit to suspend lights, and it only cost a few bucks. He bent the pipe himself. You can paint it any color you like afterward. Maybe you know an Electrician with a pipe bender. They make several sized diameter conduits, both thin and thick walled. Make sure what you use will support the weight, if you go this route.

 

[thomas138]

I may just have to go with that then because only 15 minutes ago another member (Dough) mentioned this is the way he made his hangers

Thanks for encouraging that idea even more :thumbs:

 

[nimrod]

Here's a step by step on making hanging arms with the conduits:

 

[budsreef]

I made a hanging rack out of pvc and painted it black to use over a 12G eclipse and it worked great for me. Of course the fixture wasn't very heavy. If the tank is against the wall you could probably mount arms to the wall that stick out and can hold the light.

 

[thomas138]

nimrod;532456 wrote: Here's a step by step on making hanging arms with the conduits:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2009-04/diy/index.php">DIY Hanging Arms</a>[/QUOTE]

Thanks very much for that link :yes:


[QUOTE=][B]Budsreef;532461 wrote:[/B] I made a hanging rack out of pvc and painted it black to use over a 12G eclipse and it worked great for me. Of course the fixture wasn't very heavy. If the tank is against the wall you could probably mount arms to the wall that stick out and can hold the light.[/QUOTE]

Its a pretty heavy 4ft fixture but pvc would be cool for my aquapod =] and I'll look into some mounts for the wall as well

Thanks everybody

 

[tony_caliente]

My tank has been set uo since late October. It is intentionally understocked.

Thomas138;532370 wrote: Something like this http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem.aspx?idProduct=CU01092&tab=1">http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem.aspx?idProduct=CU01092&tab=1</a>

But spending $80 on hanging arms is way outta my budget. Anyone know of anything similar that may not exactly be for this use[/QUOTE]

 

[thomas138]

Awesome the tank looks great. The issue I would have with using the wood blocks sitting on the sides of the tank is the light fixture is not wide enough to sit on them, so right now thats why the wood blocks are on the glass tops.


Took trip to home depot today and bought everything I needed to make some hanging arms and it seems like it will work very well, and was cheap too. All thats left is paint it black and I will post some pics

-Thankyou to all of you