How do you hang a T5 fixture with Shelf Brackets?

[Chlorinated]

Hi all,

My wife and I are planning to move to a new apartment soon. In our current apartment, my T5 lights (Aquatic Life 24" 4bulb T5 - old discontinued unit) are suspended from the ceiling. I discussed the install with my Super and he even helped me install them. However. Not all apartment owners are so amicable to holes in the ceiling.

I saw a couple years ago a BRS video where they suspended lights from 2 shelving brackets. I feel like this would be an ideal solution for me as small holes in the wall are an easier repair than the ceiling.

My question is...how do you do it? My T5 fixture is about 16lbs. My fear is hanging the lights from the fixture and having all that weight so far (about 10") from the wall where the brackets are secured.

Normally shelves have weight distribution across the shelf not just out on the far end. So:

1. What should I look for in a bracket? Would like something slightly decorative obviously.

2. Does weight capacity of the bracket matter if I am not using it as a traditional shelf, but hanging something from the bracket?

3. Best mounting options for the brackets? Basic plastic drywall anchors, toggle bolts (don't even know if they will fit through screw holes in brackets), toggle drywall anchors?

I am not super handy, so any advice would be super appreciated. Thank you all in advance!

 

[Chlorinated]

Bump

 

[Nburg's Reef]

similar situation. Im thinking of going with these until I can find somethign nicer:

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Blue-Hawk-15-63-in-Shelf-Bracket/1000080131

I saw another thread on another site and the OP had these... I need to find them!!

 

[The Dude Abides]

I've been thinking about bending some conduit, painting them black and using them as the brackets.

 

[kyleinpdx]

Hi all,

My wife and I are planning to move to a new apartment soon. In our current apartment, my T5 lights (Aquatic Life 24" 4bulb T5 - old discontinued unit) are suspended from the ceiling. I discussed the install with my Super and he even helped me install them. However. Not all apartment owners are so amicable to holes in the ceiling.

I saw a couple years ago a BRS video where they suspended lights from 2 shelving brackets. I feel like this would be an ideal solution for me as small holes in the wall are an easier repair than the ceiling.

My question is...how do you do it? My T5 fixture is about 16lbs. My fear is hanging the lights from the fixture and having all that weight so far (about 10") from the wall where the brackets are secured.

Normally shelves have weight distribution across the shelf not just out on the far end. So:

1. What should I look for in a bracket? Would like something slightly decorative obviously.

2. Does weight capacity of the bracket matter if I am not using it as a traditional shelf, but hanging something from the bracket?

3. Best mounting options for the brackets? Basic plastic drywall anchors, toggle bolts (don't even know if they will fit through screw holes in brackets), toggle drywall anchors?

I am not super handy, so any advice would be super appreciated. Thank you all in advance!

You are going to create a fulcrum with the load at the ends like you are thinking, but we cantilever things all of the time. Get some stout brackets, I wouldnt go by the load rating on whatever packaging since you will be using them in a non-standard config, but we're not talking 100s of lbs here. I would get some quality brackets, with some good chunky fasteners and drive them into the studs in the wall. Just like hanging a TV on a mount, all the weight is distributed like you are intending and we slap them on the walls every day.

 

[RocketEngineer]

I used bent conduit for my office 40B. They mounted to the stand so no holes in the wall.

Another option is the adjustable shelving systems where the bracket slots into a bar on the wall.Using this setup, the bars mount to the wall, ideally into studs, then the brackets are resisted by the entire bar length. Plenty strong enough for a light.

 

[Chlorinated]

You are going to create a fulcrum with the load at the ends like you are thinking, but we cantilever things all of the time. Get some stout brackets, I wouldnt go by the load rating on whatever packaging since you will be using them in a non-standard config, but we're not talking 100s of lbs here. I would get some quality brackets, with some good chunky fasteners and drive them into the studs in the wall. Just like hanging a TV on a mount, all the weight is distributed like you are intending and we slap them on the walls every day.

I agree, you think TV hanging on a wall, and a small fixture should be no issue. But with a TV that mount is specific for the purpose, and what I am planning clearly is not.

I agree though, if they are steel brackets and into studs, I guess there shouldn't be much issue.

The spacing of my hanging kit is about 20". I know studs are either 16" or 24" apart in standard walls. My brackets may need to be wider than the wires. Not ideal but not a deal breaker either.

What about 1/8" toggle bolts? Should fit through a standard hole in the bracket to secure to a wall if there is no stud. Would that be any less secure?

 

[Chlorinated]

I used bent conduit for my office 40B. They mounted to the stand so no holes in the wall.

Another option is the adjustable shelving systems where the bracket slots into a bar on the wall.Using this setup, the bars mount to the wall, ideally into studs, then the brackets are resisted by the entire bar length. Plenty strong enough for a light.

I debated conduit, but I have the old MDF stand for my IM 20, and I am not sure how well I could screw into the MDF or how secure that would be.

I also debated the shelf systems you mentioned. While I'm sure they would work, esp6if driven into studs, they aren't the more eye appealing.

 

[RocketEngineer]

They may not look the best but they can be painted.

 

[Crustaceon]

1 1/4” conduit tubing. When I had my 100g, I bolted the tubes to the back of the stand. With my 55g, they now go through the stand. This is probably the smallest diameter tube you can realistically run an extension cord through.

 

[Bacon505]

if yours is against the wall then its simple to do 2 conduit or 2 “L”shape bracket that can either bolt on to the back of your stand or build a small support so you can mount the conduit of “L” shape if you dont want to mount directly to your stand. If you know a welder of a mechanic shop then you can create a cleaner design. Here’s mine that i came up with because im a bit compulsive and high ceiling.

hope this help