Hanging & Wiring MH Pendants and Ballasts

[ElussssvReefSD]

Hello all you do-it-yourselfers...

I have an incoming 120"x48" tank being built, and I'm trying to figure out a modular solution for suspending multiple different types of lighting openly over the tank without a canopy that looks clean and polished.

My inspiration would be stage lighting scaffolding you see at concerts, with like a metal frame and the lights suspended below it...

I currently have 4 Hamilton Cozumel Sun MH Pendants (I may go for a 5th, we'll see), will have 6 Kessil A360X LED Pendants, and thinking of even adding some T5 supplementation for max coral growth and to decrease shadowing.

Basically, something that can accept multiple different types of suspended light sources in case I change my lights in the future.

Also, what would be the best way to manage all the wiring and big heavy magnetic ballasts for the MH pendants. Thanks for your input!

 

[pdxmonkeyboy]

I used unistrut to build a frame that holds three MH hoods, four 4 foot double t5s, and two 6' reef brites. My is an inwall tank so you can't see the system. Clean? mmmmm not really. Ballasts are mounted to the walls above any water level.

 

[ElussssvReefSD]

I used unistrut to build a frame that holds three MH hoods, four 4 foot double t5s, and two 6' reef brites. My is an inwall tank so you can't see the system. Clean? mmmmm not really. Ballasts are mounted to the walls above any water level.

So I looked up Unistrut and it looks like you pretty much give them your dimensions and weight and they can suggest how many pieces you'd need, which thicknesses etc?

 

[George81]

you will be fine with 1 5/8 strut and 3/8 hardware. if you choose to go that route.
here is a catalog that you can look through for parts and fittings

https://www.eaton.com/content/dam/eaton/products/support-systems/strut-systems-&-accessories/strut-system-catalog-2018.pdf

 

[pdxmonkeyboy]

Unistrut can be bought at home depot, the pieces that hold it together are much much much cheaper online.

 

[ElussssvReefSD]

How easy would it be to construct for someone like me with just basic handyman skills? I can put together IKEA furniture with no problem... ;Hilarious

 

[pdxmonkeyboy]

dude.. it is basically an adult erector set. If you can't assemble unistrut then you are just taking space up on this planet

 

[ElussssvReefSD]

dude.. it is basically an adult erector set. If you can't assemble unistrut then you are just taking space up on this planet

Fair nuff, I'll look into it. If I can't manage it, I'll sacrifice myself to the fishes in shame haha.

 

[pdxmonkeyboy]

I mean, if you can't manage, don't do anything drastic... but stop wasting all the oxygen.

 

[Scratch08]

You can always check out 8020.net. Little more expensive than unistrut, but you can get a cleaner look qith it, they sell all the hardware you would need, plus cut all your pieces to size for you. You may even be able to find someone to 3d print mounts for your lights to fit the profile you choose. Lots of options on the website.

 

[ElussssvReefSD]

You can always check out 8020.net. Little more expensive than unistrut, but you can get a cleaner look qith it, they sell all the hardware you would need, plus cut all your pieces to size for you. You may even be able to find someone to 3d print mounts for your lights to fit the profile you choose. Lots of options on the website.

Oooooooh neato, thanks for the link!

 

[pdxmonkeyboy]

This is what my unistrut beast looks like. You have to attach your T5s with zip ties..otherwise your just playing pretend.