how to hang MH light (not from ceiling)

[spl-311]

Hi all,
I'm looking to hang a Metal Halide pendant over an open top tank, but I don't trust hanging it from the crappy plaster ceiling in my apartment. I'm thinking of building a simple arm stand that would bolt to the back of the tank stand, possibly out of copper tubing. Anyone else done a similar project? any suggestions or advice?

thanks

[technomex]

I hung my fixture from the back wall by putting some shelving brackets and then hanging the fixture from them. Just make sure you go into studs in the wall, if not, use toggle bolts that will open up behind the sheetrock for extra support.

[ronreef]

I have the same dilemma. My stand is away from a wall. I'm looking for an arm that comes up and over the tank. An arm that I can bolt up to the side of the stand.

[coseal]

you could use the metal electrical conduit found @ home depot,lowes,etc.. its easy to spray paint and attach with conduit clamps.. pretty basic but will work

[ronreef]

Originally posted by coseal
you could use the metal electrical conduit found @ home depot,lowes,etc.. its easy to spray paint and attach with conduit clamps.. pretty basic but will work

Will the conduit support the weight of a typical HQI pendant? The arm wouldn't extend very far or high as the tank will be only 20"x20"20". Sounds like a good idea if it does.

[mr. pluto]

you could also use 1 1/2" dia. pvc pipe too.

[JohnnyM2]

Or you could attach a piece of plywood to the crappy ceiling using plenty of the right kind of screws and attach your light to that. Don't give my name to your landlord.

[ronreef]

Hanging anything from the ceiling is not an option.

[wegotcrabs]

Even if you have a plaster ceiling u can still screw into the studs. When haning anything from a ceiling you should always screw into the studs just to be safe. Anyway IMO hanging the fixture from the ceiling will look alot better then rigging some pvc.

[ronreef]

Originally posted by wegotcrabs
Even if you have a plaster ceiling u can still screw into the studs. When haning anything from a ceiling you should always screw into the studs just to be safe. Anyway IMO hanging the fixture from the ceiling will look alot better then rigging some pvc.

I thought otherwise. Having an arm attached to the stand made of (PVC coated) conduit would look nicer than having chains hanging down from the ceiling. A nice coat of paint and running the electrical through the conduit would look much nicer than stringing electrical down from the ceiling or across to the pendant. I was thinking of something similar to this: http://www.current-usa.com/solana.html
The arm holding the pendant looks like a fancier form of conduit.

[spleen93]

Maybe something like this? Expensive but looks nice!

Spleen

[Retzius]

Heres what I made from aluminum, L-brackets, and some bolts at my local hardware store.

Its based off the same concept as spleen93 listed. So far its been working great and I like the fact that I can now view my tank top down and have access on all sides of the glass for scrubing algae.

Its basically held on by a U-bolt very tightly. Thats why it tilts up. Its a little ghetto but very effective and I didnt want to drill holes on the ceiling. I could have done a better job of attaching it to my aquarium but it holds fine the way I have it.

[ronreef]

Something like this: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...=07-42466094-2

[ronreef]

Originally posted by spleen93
Maybe something like this? Expensive but looks nice!

Spleen

I like it! Almost exactly what I'm looking for. My ideal would be a swing out arm, but I might have to give trying it out some serious thought.

Originally posted by Retzius
Heres what I made from aluminum, L-brackets, and some bolts at my local hardware store.

Its based off the same concept as spleen93 listed. So far its been working great and I like the fact that I can now view my tank top down and have access on all sides of the glass for scrubing algae.

Its basically held on by a U-bolt very tightly. Thats why it tilts up. Its a little ghetto but very effective and I didnt want to drill holes on the ceiling. I could have done a better job of attaching it to my aquarium but it holds fine the way I have it.

I like your concept, but my set-up would have to be more in the "good looking" dept. as well as the functional department
So, far stringing the electrical through conduit seems like a good idea. Conduits running neck and neck with the lamp tree.

[BusterDog]

I don't have pictures, but here is what I used to make a suspended canopy for my 29 gal.
I picked up two sizes of black ABS pipe - 1-1/2", & 2" if I remember correctly. The smaller slides into the larger without too much slop.
I cut the larger in half & mounted the 2 pcs. to the back of the stand.
I cut the smaller in half & mounted the 2 pcs. to the back of the canopy, aligned so that they slide into the pcs mounted to the stand.
I used cast iron pipe hangers with thumb screws in their mounting holes as clamps to hold it at any height I want.
When I need to raise it to do tank maintenance I just lift the canopy, reach around & slide the clamps down & re-tighten.

[BusterDog]

The black ABS pipes are only visible when the canopy is raised up high, but they are barely noticeable.

[ronreef]

Originally posted by BusterDog
I don't have pictures, but here is what I used to make a suspended canopy for my 29 gal.
I picked up two sizes of black ABS pipe - 1-1/2", & 2" if I remember correctly. The smaller slides into the larger without too much slop.
I cut the larger in half & mounted the 2 pcs. to the back of the stand.
I cut the smaller in half & mounted the 2 pcs. to the back of the canopy, aligned so that they slide into the pcs mounted to the stand.
I used cast iron pipe hangers with thumb screws in their mounting holes as clamps to hold it at any height I want.
When I need to raise it to do tank maintenance I just lift the canopy, reach around & slide the clamps down & re-tighten.

Anyway you can post a pic up, or even a drawing. Not quite sure I understand correctly.

[BusterDog]

I'll see if I can get a picture tonight, & post it tomorrow. It won't be easy because the tank sits in a corner, but I'll see what I can do.
I wouldn't want to try this on too large of a canopy because it would be too much to lift & hang on to, while adjusting the clamps.

[PSam]

Check out the lamp trees from Zero Edge. Might get an idea form that design too.

http://www.zeroedgeaquarium.com/Brackets.htm

[neelix]

Copper isn't very strong. I used 1/2 inch iron pipe u-bolted to the stand. Very strong and looks good also. HD will turn the threads for you. If you want a picture PM me your email addy. This supports a very heavy Current Outer Orbit fixture no problem

[ronreef]

Originally posted by PSam
Check out the lamp trees from Zero Edge. Might get an idea form that design too.

http://www.zeroedgeaquarium.com/Brackets.htm

Oh wow. They have a whole line of them. I was wondering if the the tree stand can be bent for slight adjustments, or is it pretty much a very rigid piece. Too bad more stores don't offer these types of light fixture stands.

[PSam]

PA sells them, you could give them a ring to see if it's flexible or adjustable or whatever. I've seen a couple other similar stands / arms but can't remember where... I'll see if I bookmarked any of them...

I'm in the market for the same thing, but don't know what to do about attaching it because my tank is against the wall!

[ronreef]

Originally posted by PSam
PA sells them, you could give them a ring to see if it's flexible or adjustable or whatever. I've seen a couple other similar stands / arms but can't remember where... I'll see if I bookmarked any of them...

I'm in the market for the same thing, but don't know what to do about attaching it because my tank is against the wall!

What is "PA"? If you could dig up some more links or book marks that would great. Thanks.

I don't want to jump the gun before exploring all options.

[Jay Fortay]

Premium aquatics...

www.premiumaquatics.com ...

would you like any of us to stand on our heads for you now, sir?

[ronreef]

Originally posted by Jay Fortay
Premium aquatics...

www.premiumaquatics.com ...

would you like any of us to stand on our heads for you now, sir?

Uh-oh... a trouble maker... um... I want you to stand on your head for me... only you... chill man... just asking questions