Light mounting options and how-tos

Lukeluke · Jul 8, 2021

I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to mount lights. I have a 75g rimmed, sumpless system. So that means HOB equipment, which then makes me think I'm probably going to have to suspend whatever lights I end up with. I'd prefer not to hang from the ceiling though.

I was thinking there should be a way to mount something to the wall behind the tank and hang lights from that. Does anyone have a good thread/video on this approach? Suggestions for hardware that would be required? I'll probably use some kind of LED fixture.

Jekyl · Jul 8, 2021

Lukeluke said:
I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to mount lights. I have a 75g rimmed, sumpless system. So that means HOB equipment, which then makes me think I'm probably going to have to suspend whatever lights I end up with. I'd prefer not to hang from the ceiling though.

I was thinking there should be a way to mount something to the wall behind the tank and hang lights from that. Does anyone have a good thread/video on this approach? Suggestions for hardware that would be required? I'll probably use some kind of LED fixture.

I mounted a shelf above my tank and hung the lights from it. Use it for tank supply storage so dual purpose.

Lukeluke · Jul 8, 2021

Jekyl said:
I mounted a shelf above my tank and hung the lights from it. Use it for tank supply storage so dual purpose.

That's what I was thinking. If not the full shelf, at least using a few of the shelf mounts. Could I see yours? Did you DIY it or find mounts for a deep enough shelf?

Jekyl · Jul 8, 2021

Lukeluke said:
That's what I was thinking. If not the full shelf, at least using a few of the shelf mounts. Could I see yours? Did you DIY it or find mounts for a deep enough shelf?

Mine is messy right now so don't hold it against me. I also don't use the lights I originally hung from it.

Lukeluke · Jul 8, 2021

Jekyl said:
Mine is messy right now so don't hold it against me. I also don't use the lights I originally hung from it.

No judgment. ;Wacky Thanks. Gives me some ideas.

cvrle1 · Jul 8, 2021

Not sure what lights you have, but here is another idea for you. Nice and quick and easy to do

Tank Mount for 165W or 300W Chinese LED Fixtures - Reef Central Online Community

Tank Mount for 165W or 300W Chinese LED Fixtures Lighting, Filtration & Other Equipment

www.reefcentral.com

jgirardnrg · Jul 8, 2021

EMT conduit from Home Depot and fastened to the back of the stand. $20 and 10 minutes work.

eggplantparrot · Jul 8, 2021

Aluminum T-slot extrusion

blasterman · Jul 8, 2021

I use the tank mounting kits that come with lights, but I mount them to a 4x 3/4 piece of lumber behind the tank and paint it black. Allows me to slide the lights around to where I want. If I want to go higher or lower I just cut the board or add shims.

Lukeluke · Jul 8, 2021

All good ideas. I'm not 100% on which lights I'll be using. Probably either a pair of Radion xr30's or Kessil AP9X's. I assume the hanging kits for either are pretty similar as far as it being suspended by a few cables. Just a matter of figuring out what to suspend them from that isn't the ceiling.

Lukeluke · Jul 8, 2021

Also, had I been thinking ahead, I might have been able to mount lights to the back of the stand, but alas, tank is full. Ain't no getting to the back of it now. ;Bored

kenbennedy · Jul 8, 2021

eggplantparrot said:
Aluminum T-slot extrusion

What method/hardware did you use to attach the bracket to the wall?

eggplantparrot · Jul 8, 2021

4 big woodscrews that go into L brackets at the top and bottom of the vertical post

Stang67 · Jul 30, 2021

eggplantparrot said:
Aluminum T-slot extrusion

Can I ask who you ordered this from? I would like something very similar but with 2 wall mounts.

eggplantparrot · Jul 31, 2021

Stang67 said:
Can I ask who you ordered this from? I would like something very similar but with 2 wall mounts.

Designed myself and got the sizes I need cut by the supplier.

Ordered from fazstore in canada

Rudzbrewski · Jul 31, 2021

Lukeluke said:
I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to mount lights. I have a 75g rimmed, sumpless system. So that means HOB equipment, which then makes me think I'm probably going to have to suspend whatever lights I end up with. I'd prefer not to hang from the ceiling though.

I was thinking there should be a way to mount something to the wall behind the tank and hang lights from that. Does anyone have a good thread/video on this approach? Suggestions for hardware that would be required? I'll probably use some kind of LED fixture.

I bought some cheap TV mounts from Amazon and took the TV attachment piece off to screw my lights into. Attached them right to the wall, can adjust their placement, and looks really sleek in my opinion without having them get in the way at all.

Lukeluke · Jul 31, 2021

Rudzbrewski said:
I bought some cheap TV mounts from Amazon and took the TV attachment piece off to screw my lights into. Attached them right to the wall, can adjust their placement, and looks really sleek in my opinion without having them get in the way at all.

Like an articulated mount? With an arm the TV can be swung around on?

Stang67 · Jul 31, 2021

Rudzbrewski said:
I bought some cheap TV mounts from Amazon and took the TV attachment piece off to screw my lights into. Attached them right to the wall, can adjust their placement, and looks really sleek in my opinion without having them get in the way at all.

Pix ?:

Rudzbrewski · Jul 31, 2021

Lukeluke said:
Like an articulated mount? With an arm the TV can be swung around on?

Yes, I bought one of the smaller sleeker options and then took the flat piece that attaches to the TV off (it was just a single bolt), then replaced it with a bolt for my light. I'll post a picture.