80/20 Will this work?

MrSkumfrog · Mar 4, 2020

Hello and thanks for clicking on this link!
I have a Red Sea Reefer 425 (47”x 22.6”x 22”).
I’d like to install an ATI Powermodule. The fixture weighs almost 40lbs. My issue is that I cant Suspend it from my ceiling nor mount it to the wall.

I was thinking of using 80/20 or some other similar material. I drew a rough ghetto sketch. My plan is to build a rectangle that has removable (in case I need to trim them down) verticals arms. I’ll then suspend the light accordingly.

This rack would lay on the floor behind the stand with adjustable feet keeping the unit away from the glass and away from the wall.

I know this was fast sketch.
What size material would you use?
What flaws do you see?
What improvements would you make?

Danke

dankaqua · Mar 5, 2020

I think 80/20 aluminum could work... but best I can see, the key failure point for your project is the mechanism which holds the rack firmly in place (pushing on the wall and the stand).

What were you planning to use for that? Some type of adjustable knob?

... that "knob" would need to be properly machined and the threaded portion integrated into the vertical post...

...

A different idea from the "braced suspension" system: you could build a rack which has 4 legs (2 behind and to near the front corners of the aquarium).

That could be free standing, and since the load is supported on 4 feet, you could use much thinner material... tube steel or similar could work (galvanize it well). If you welded it and painted it black, it would disappear fairly well...

viel glück...