Peninsula and Light Hanging

[Antics]

Hey all!

I'm planning on setting up a Peninsula style rimless aquarium in a month or so. I'm fairly set on using a T5 fixture for lighting. However, I won't be using a canopy or any type of full stand so I'm thinking of how I can properly hang this fixture. I'm not keen on hanging from the ceiling unless its 100% absolutely necessary. I've looked into wall brackets and I don't think they are going to work well holding up a 4' fixture.

I assume that some type of rail that is attached to the stand would be the best option for me, but I'm unsure if a single rail would be able to securely hold the weight of the fixture across the entire length. I'm not positive on the weight but I'd imagine its between 40 and 60 pounds depending on which fixture I end up going with.

Hoping for some input! Thanks

 

[mcarroll]

There are wall brackets that should work - even ordinary bookshelf type brackets. How far from the wall do you think the center of your tank is going to be?

 

[mcarroll]

For the record you should be considering LEDs in this reefer's opinion.

Here is the brackets and LED system that I am holding up this way. The gray bookshelf bracket is "secured" to the side of a chrome wire bookshelf.



It is not pretty, but that's coincidental. Just an example.

For your case you would need a stouter piece of wood (nothing crazy) but the bracket would probably be fine ( they are weight rated; simply compare with the weight of your fixture and get the right size) and you would hang your suspension hardware from the wood – or at least that's how I would do it. I guess you could connect your fixture directly to the wood.

 

[dbl]

You can bring a platform off the end of your stand, over the tank, on the wall side of your peninsula. Think of it as a canopy, but you won't actually build a canopy. It will be a simple platform to hang your fixture from.

I will try to find a thread to help explain what I'm talking about. Another member did a really cool looking adaptation of my stand because he didn't want a canopy either.