Unistrut for a floating canopy?

[tr3]

Im about to start on my T5/LED hybrid and I was thinking of using unistrut to hang it from with a wood skin around it. I was wondering if anyone has tried this before?

 

[Reeferdood]

I have never used it for hanging lights but it will definitely work for that application. Heck, you could stack another aquarium up there if you wanted!
It is metal so even though likely zinc coated it can corrode so try to keep the salt creep away from it if possible.
Show pictures when you are done with your project!

 

[tr3]

will do.. I was thinking the same thing about the salt. So I was considering using the pvc coated unistrut.

 

[alton]

http://www.unistrut.us/index.php?WP=show&GRP=Fiberglass Channel

 

[jd371]

I just built a simple box out of 1 x 10 boards with 1 x 3 for the molding and added 1 x 2 strips inside the box along the bottom edge for the fixture to sit on.

 

[tr3]

I just built a simple box out of 1 x 10 boards with 1 x 3 for the molding and added 1 x 2 strips inside the box along the bottom edge for the fixture to sit on.

Very nice! How heavy did it turn out and how did you support it from the ceiling? Im assuming that my studs are not going to be exactly where I need them. So I was thinking I need to do some reinforcing in the attic.

 

[jd371]

Thanks! I'm guessing it weighs somewhere around 40-50 pounds. To hang it from the ceiling I placed it on the top of the tank so I could run a plumb line from the ceiling joists to the box to know where to place the eye bolts. I got lucky and although not perfectly centered under the joists, there was a slight off center to the right, the box hung level. You'll notice in the pic if you look at the wires the one on the left is closer to the edge than the one on the right. This is on the ground floor and no attic to work with so I dodged a bullet.

To hang it from the ceiling I used 1/16th ( rated to 120 lbs. ) wire rope and crimped loops on the ends.