Chinese LED Light Placement

Meister21 · Nov 14, 2018

I ordered 2 of the Viparspectra 165w LEDs. Can I place them directly on my class top covering the top of my tank? I don't like how they look hanging. If I can't place them right on top, any other mounting ideas?

Coastie Reefer · Nov 14, 2018

Welcome to R2R. The issue with placing them on your glass is that you'll not get the best coverage and it will most likely look like a couple spotlights on you tank. Raising them just a few inches would even help... perhaps install them in a canopy? You have pics of your setup so we might offer better solutions?

dantimdad · Nov 14, 2018

Agreed as with most LEDs you want them off the tank a few inches at least.

Please take a pic and post it.

Welcome aboard!

Meister21 · Nov 14, 2018

Thank you! This is my first saltwater tank. I’ve had tons of freshwater before. Is my rock scape okay for corals?

Ruben's Reef · Nov 14, 2018

Meister21 said:
I ordered 2 of the Viparspectra 165w LEDs. Can I place them directly on my class top covering the top of my tank? I don't like how they look hanging. If I can't place them right on top, any other mounting ideas?

!!! Welcome to R2R !!! I have those hanging from the ceiling but also you can do a bracket that come from the back of your tank. Those light must be mounted from 8" to 12" over water level. This is an idea I saw on Google.

Ruben's Reef · Nov 14, 2018

Tank looks great !!! What size tank?

dantimdad · Nov 14, 2018

Scape looks good!

I like the mounts that @spyder813 posted. The first one is easy to make and cheap.

cvrle1 · Nov 14, 2018

Take a look at this thread for some ideas on DIY stands for CBB's

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2622878

Meister21 · Nov 14, 2018

spyder813 said:
!!! Welcome to R2R !!! I have those hanging from the ceiling but also you can do a bracket that come from the back of your tank. Those light must be mounted from 8" to 12" over water level. This is an idea I saw on Google.

I really like the first picture! It's a 75 gallon, thank you!

dantimdad · Nov 14, 2018

@Meister21 You can have lowes bend conduit for you and then spray paint it. It works great as light hangers.

Another thing you can do if you are comfortable with wiring, is cut off the plug end and run the wires inside the conduit and then put a new plug back on. Just make sure where you come out of the conduit to put a grommet so it doesn't rub the wire jacket off. SHOCKING!

cvrle1 · Nov 14, 2018

dantimdad said:
Another thing you can do if you are comfortable with wiring, is cut off the plug end and run the wires inside the conduit and then put a new plug back on. Just make sure where you come out of the conduit to put a grommet so it doesn't rub the wire jacket off. SHOCKING!

I am trying to figure out what you accomplish by doing this, but I cant picture it in my head at all. Could you please explain it for me, as I am planning on making one of these DIY hangers, and if there is a better way of doing things, would be great to know before I do it. Thanks

dantimdad · Nov 14, 2018

I don't have pics of mine done yet. I will try to explain.

You drill a hole in the side of the conduit near the EIC socket on the light. Put in a rubber grommet(they sell them at lowes) to protect the wire.

Next, you cut off the three prong plug and feed the wire through the hole. When it come out of the bottom of the conduit, put a new plug back on it. This will hide the wire inside the conduit so it's a lot neater.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Hillman-0-375-in-Rubber-Grommet/4565079

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Project-Source-15-Amp-125-Volt-Orange-3-Wire-Grounding-Plug/4068219

dugthefish · Nov 14, 2018

I hard mounted mine to a hanging canopy. Seems like 9-10" off water surface was the sweet spot.

cvrle1 · Nov 14, 2018

dantimdad said:
I don't have pics of mine done yet. I will try to explain.

You drill a hole in the side of the conduit near the EIC socket on the light. Put in a rubber grommet(they sell them at lowes) to protect the wire.

Next, you cut off the three prong plug and feed the wire through the hole. When it come out of the bottom of the conduit, put a new plug back on it. This will hide the wire inside the conduit so it's a lot neater.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Hillman-0-375-in-Rubber-Grommet/4565079

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Project-Source-15-Amp-125-Volt-Orange-3-Wire-Grounding-Plug/4068219

I think I know what you mean now. I saw one or 2 pics in your build thread , and think I get it. Thanks for the explanation and good idea for sure.

dantimdad · Nov 14, 2018

You're welcome!

Let me know if I can confuse you further.

dantimdad · Nov 14, 2018

dugthefish said:
I hard mounted mine to a hanging canopy. Seems like 9-10" off water surface was the sweet spot.

That's pretty slick!

I would hinge it to the wall so there was wires and you could swing it up out of the way.

Then it would be epic!

dugthefish · Nov 14, 2018

dantimdad said:
That's pretty slick!

I would hinge it to the wall so there was wires and you could swing it up out of the way.

Then it would be epic!

Lol that is actually the plan. I built the light frame 1.5" smaller than the tank so I can skin it with 1x12, attach it to the wall, and put a piano hinge on. Then I discovered, since I used 1 piece if cable on each side, I could do this: