Floating canopy.

[vertigo01]

Curious as to how those who have floating canopies, mounted/hung them.
My tank's location doesn't allow me to hang the lights from the joists and I am leery about using anchors in the sheet rock.
As the canopy will weight roughly 25 or so pounds, do I drill through the ceiling and screw a 2x4 across the joists and hang from them? Or is there a better way?

 

[GBRsouth]

Have a look in the large tank 180g+ forum, for the thread Kamozreef, Perth Western Australia. He has a post mounted canopy that might give you ideas.

 

[vertigo01]

Have a look in the large tank 180g+ forum, for the thread Kamozreef, Perth Western Australia. He has a post mounted canopy that might give you ideas.

Thanks, I did check it out and will add that tgread to my watch list.
However, my tank is immovable and I can't get behind it to add the metal bracing. Although I really do like the way he went about the building of it.

 

[ReeferMadness80G]

Have you seen this one?

Always thought this was a genius idea to use a TV mount.

 

[ReeferMadness80G]

do I drill through the ceiling and screw a 2x4 across the joists and hang from them? Or is there a better way?

I did this, I used a 1x4 however. It’s holding a 8x54 dimmable sunpower great! Make sure you use a plumb bob!

 

[vertigo01]

Being that the joists are off center, in relation to the tanks location.
I am thinking of possibly lag bolting/screwing a "live edge" plank to the ceiling then hanging the canopy from this.

What are the thoughts on going this route?

 

[Greybeard]

I took the easy way out, lining the tank up with an existing beam. Yeah, I know, probably won't work for you, but planning ahead is always best

In your case, a length of wood securely mounted into a ceiling beam on either side of where you want the light seems appropriate. I would probably go with a 3" wide strip of 3/4" plywood, rather than a 2x4. Just paint it to match the ceiling, it'd be fine.

 

[ReeferMadness80G]

Being that the joists are off center, in relation to the tanks location.
I am thinking of possibly lag bolting/screwing a "live edge" plank to the ceiling then hanging the canopy from this.

What are the thoughts on going this route?

My thoughts are...that sounds awesome! Got me thinking, are sure of the direction of your joists? I’m sure you probably are, I just wanted to check. If they are running parallel to your light and they are off center, that creates some other problems, however if they are perpendicular to your tank than you’re good. Thanks captain obvious I know

 

[vertigo01]

I took the easy way out, lining the tank up with an existing beam. Yeah, I know, probably won't work for you, but planning ahead is always best

In your case, a length of wood securely mounted into a ceiling beam on either side of where you want the light seems appropriate. I would probably go with a 3" wide strip of 3/4" plywood, rather than a 2x4. Just paint it to match the ceiling, it'd be fine.

I like the way you have yours hanging.
However my tank is in an office cubby and being that the tank is 60" and the office cubby width is 72" that throws the hangers off.
I was thinking of a 1 1/2" - 2" thick poece of "Live Edge " slab ,by 10" wide by 60" long, should be sufficiently strong enough to hold the #25-#30 canopy? As long as the live edge is bolted/screwed into a joist of course.

Anyone know of a reasonable online vender where I can source the live edge?

 

[ReeferMadness80G]

I like the way you have yours hanging.
However my tank is in an office cubby and being that the tank is 60" and the office cubby width is 72" that throws the hangers off.
I was thinking of a 1 1/2" - 2" thick poece of "Live Edge " slab ,by 10" wide by 60" long, should be sufficiently strong enough to hold the #25-#30 canopy? As long as the live edge is bolted/screwed into a joist of course.

Anyone know of a reasonable online vender where I can source the live edge?

Check your local craigslist. That’s how I found the live edge tops for my bar.

 

[vertigo01]

My thoughts are...that sounds awesome! Got me thinking, are sure of the direction of your joists? I’m sure you probably are, I just wanted to check. If they are running parallel to your light and they are off center, that creates some other problems, however if they are perpendicular to your tank than you’re good. Thanks captain obvious I know

I spent last night stumbling around in the attic finagling a way to temporarily hang the canopy. Not only did I locate the joists, which do run perpendicular to the tank, I also found a 3" long nail which perforated my noggin.;Blackeye

Waiting on a buddy to get me some pricing on the "Live Edge".

 

[vertigo01]

Check your local craigslist. That’s how I found the live edge tops for my bar.

I'm not sure that there are many people here in this town who think of Live Edge as a decorative adornment. More so, they just see a reason for a bonfire..lol

 

[ReeferMadness80G]

I spent last night stumbling around in the attic finagling a way to temporarily hang the canopy. Not only did I locate the joists, which do run perpendicular to the tank, I also found a 3" long nail which perforated my noggin.;Blackeye

Waiting on a buddy to get me some pricing on the "Live Edge".

Oooowwww I cringed when you said nail! I hope your ok!

this is my “dead edge” 1x4 lol. I was just gonna paint it white and blend it into the ceiling.

 

[vertigo01]

Oooowwww I cringed when you said nail! I hope your ok!

this is my “dead edge” 1x4 lol. I was just gonna paint it white and blend it into the ceiling.

I like your idea as well. Which is what I may resort to if the live edge proves to be a bit much $$$$.

All is well. Had I lifted my head up fast like, I am pretty sure it would have touched the mushy grey matter. Thankfully it was only a couple glancing blows.
I had to do it twice just to prove that what I felt, hurt as much the second time ..lol

 

[vertigo01]

I did just have a brain toot.
As I am running 3 Radion XR30's I thought "hmmm, what if I cut out a piece of 1/16 stainless and sort of flush mounted the lights. Just like we do with our boating electronics?"

I know white doesn't absorb light but I'm wondering if the stainless would reflect it a bit better?

 

[ReeferMadness80G]

I like your idea as well. Which is what I may resort to if the live edge proves to be a bit much $$$$.

All is well. Had I lifted my head up fast like, I am pretty sure it would have touched the mushy grey matter. Thankfully it was only a couple glancing blows.
I had to do it twice just to prove that what I felt, hurt as much the second time ..lol

Hahaha that’s too funny! I’ve been there, done that! Are your joists 24” on center?

 

[vertigo01]

Hahaha that’s too funny! I’ve been there, done that! Are your joists 24” on center?

Luckily they are 16 on center and I'm pretty sure they are petrified as the 18v Makita I was using to screw the 2x4 down with, had a bit of trouble.

 

[ReeferMadness80G]

I did just have a brain toot.
As I am running 3 Radion XR30's I thought "hmmm, what if I cut out a piece of 1/16 stainless and sort of flush mounted the lights. Just like we do with our boating electronics?"

I know white doesn't absorb light but I'm wondering if the stainless would reflect it a bit better?

Im trying to picture this

 

[vertigo01]

Im trying to picture this

I am thinking, rather than have the lights hang from a cable inside of the canopy. Use some all thread and rigid mount them. Then waterjet cut a piece of stainless to cover all but the face of the light's.
Imagine how a boats electronics are flush mounted on the vertical face of the console and invert it. Sort of, kind of, semi like that..
Rather than have the inside of the canopy open. Only the face of the lights will be visible. Along with the stainless of course.

BTW, you did an awesome job on your build and have given me inspiration to copy and redo my plumbing.

 

[ReeferMadness80G]

Haha thanks man that’s an awesome compliment! Maybe I missed it but why are you doing a canopy? Most people do it so they can contain light spillage/ so they don’t have to look directly at the light source etc. I can kinda understand what you’re saying, but don’t understand why? If I’m not getting it still, draw a little sketch out and send a pic. Lol