MaeganWink January 24, 2020 Share January 24, 2020 If any of you follow my Marine Science class thread you may know I've got two 55 gallon bowfronts back to back. Right now I just have a light laying horizontally across them, but it's a short term solution, as only 1-2 ballasts of the light works. I have two of these LED lights I want to setup instead, but I can't hang them from the ceiling because a) it's a fire hazard for the school and b) I wouldn't trust the ceiling to hold them tbh. I've tried everything I can on my own, but I'm NOT super DIY. I've tried building something with PVC pipes, I've even tried deck hangers, but nothing works because the placement is too far away from the actual tank or isn't strong enough to hold the weight of the lights. At this point I realize I'll probably need someone to build me something, so I thought I'd start here. Each light is about 5 Lbs. I figure I'd need either two separate stand or one that goes across the top to hang them. I don't care if it's wood or metal, as long as it will hold up to water (obviously). This is NOT a fast track project; I would probably want it done in the summer, because I will probably need to use some of next year's budget to get it done. So let me know what you'd charge. If you're not sure, give me a high-end estimate. I'll include pictures of the bowfronts, what the setup looks like behind the tanks (there is a sump and frag tank), as well as a picture of the LED lights I have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sethsolomon January 24, 2020 Share January 24, 2020 a electrical conduit hanger would be great for this. All you need is 2 screw in brackets, some metal electrical conduit and a conduit bender. See this R2R thread for examples: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/diy-bent-conduit-light-bracket-advice-please.98370/ Conduit Bender: $35 https://www.homedepot.com/p/Klein-Tools-1-2-in-Aluminum-Conduit-Bender-and-Handle-56206/100660166 Conduit 10ft section $4: https://www.homedepot.com/p/1-2-in-x-10-ft-Electric-Metallic-Tube-EMT-Conduit-853428/100400405 Tuve Strap clamps $4: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Oatey-1-2-in-Galvanized-Tube-Strap-2-Hole-10-Pack-33542/303434708 and if you don't want it easily slide able you can add 1-2 of these: $3 https://www.homedepot.com/p/RACO-1-2-in-EMT-Set-Screw-Coupling-5-Pack-2022B5/203671378 You can screw the strap clamps directly to your stand so all in less than $50 and you could probably return the pipe bender once your done if you don't damage it so under $20 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freshfins January 25, 2020 Share January 25, 2020 I use conduit hangers and attached bars between the lights to hang them together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treesprite January 26, 2020 Share January 26, 2020 Is it possible to paint those conduit pipes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freshfins January 26, 2020 Share January 26, 2020 Yes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treesprite January 28, 2020 Share January 28, 2020 On 1/26/2020 at 9:57 AM, freshfins said: Yes What kind of paint should be used? It would be nice to have it match my stand color, which is kind of an odd shade of blue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freshfins January 28, 2020 Share January 28, 2020 Spray paint. I think I used Rustoleum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treesprite January 29, 2020 Share January 29, 2020 11 hours ago, freshfins said: Spray paint. I think I used Rustoleum. That makes sense. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaeganWink February 21, 2020 Author Share February 21, 2020 While that's a super cool idea, I don't trust myself to make it on my own. So if someone wants to help me (again, for pay), I'd be willing, otherwise I'm looking at other options. The only other thing I've thought of trying is one of these background hangers for photography: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FY4TVKH/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_3?smid=A2IXKAD5ED4Q12&psc=1 It says it can hold up to 15 LBs, which means it should be able to hold the lights...I think. It's just a lot bulkier than I'd like and will likely get in the way, but it'd be better than nothing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanM February 21, 2020 Share February 21, 2020 (edited) Nevermind. I just read the rest of your post. Editing to remove suggestion. You can't hang from ceiling. Edited February 21, 2020 by AlanM read the post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaeganWink February 21, 2020 Author Share February 21, 2020 @AlanM Trust me I wish I could, it would save me so much time and energy! Haha. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freshfins February 21, 2020 Share February 21, 2020 (edited) Here is one of my stands. Bars on front and back screwed in at holes already in the lights. Make sure you bend the conduit to reach half way across, to the center of the tank. 1" spacer blocks needed to bolt the clips to the stand. Edited February 21, 2020 by freshfins Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treesprite February 23, 2020 Share February 23, 2020 (edited) Did you drill the holes in the ends of the pipes yourself? I have never tried to drill metal. Edited February 23, 2020 by treesprite Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freshfins February 23, 2020 Share February 23, 2020 Yes, but I have access to a drill press, which I think is necessary for the round pipe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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