Using a TV Bracket from the ceiling to hold reef lights

[SVTour]

Current fish room presents some concerns in how lights are held, having only 12" clearance in the back, 8" in the front. Currently using the provided wires, but this is not really the best solution.

Was thinking on utilizing a TV bracket mounted from the ceiling that would allow the light to be positioned better, and allow movement to pull the lights out for easy maintenance.

Only concerns are that I would need to rely on the hinge in a different fashion than it was designed for. As backup, I would have a safety wire in place in case the hinge became loose over time.

Any thoughts on this? Any better ideas?

Below are how the lights are currently set up, and my proposed solution for this. I realize this bracket will need some modification to the lights...

 

[RichtheReefer21]

Could u perhaps put them on a mount that swivels in a circular latteral move rather than a vertical 90° flip? Or possobly a 2-armed levering scissor-style swivel? This way the lights have the same position they do now, and when u want to move them out of the way. U just slide them left and right?

Just trying to toss ideas out to stir the brain Storming. I was intrigued because I did my own canopy and I love diy challenges

@DLHDesign you got any spiffy concept ideas for this fella?

 

[SVTour]

Could u perhaps put them on a mount that swivels in a circular latteral move rather than a vertical 90° flip? Or possobly a 2-armed levering scissor-style swivel? This way the lights have the same position they do now, and when u want to move them out of the way. U just slide them left and right?

Just trying to toss ideas out to stir the brain Storming. I was intrigued because I did my own canopy and I love diy challenges

@DLHDesign you got any spiffy concept ideas for this fella?

Not a bad idea at all - it would need to sit down 4" to clear the lower part. Any idea what could be bought for this - or if something like this exists?

 

[RichtheReefer21]

Google is your friend. LoL

Wish I knew, perhaps others might chime in today or soon to give some input or share a vendor.

 

[SVTour]

Google is your friend. LoL

Wish I knew, perhaps others might chime in today or soon to give some input or share a vendor.

Only items I can see have ball bearings in them or drive me back to a TV mount.

From past experience, I used drawer slides that had ball bearings to pull the light rack out (see attached). This was a fantastic idea that lasted about 6 months - then it slowly became harder to pull out, until it was fully rusted about 9
months in.

Lesson on this is, ball bearings and salt don't mix.

 

[TriggerFinger]

I have the same lights on tv mounts hung in a typical fashion on the wall. They are REALLY hard to move out of the way when I want to...the hinges are really tight. That being said, I think your idea will work and the safety cable is just an extra safety for just in case. Also think about how much a TV weighs compared to this 6lb light.

 

[SVTour]

I have the same lights on tv mounts hung in a typical fashion on the wall. They are REALLY hard to move out of the way when I want to...the hinges are really tight. That being said, I think your idea will work and the safety cable is just an extra safety for just in case. Also think about how much a TV weighs compared to this 6lb light.

That's kind of what I was hoping. Can I ask what TV mount you used? And if you had any issues getting the bracket to fit the light (I measure 215mm x 145mm - but think I can adapt a standard bracket)

 

[Jaebster]

Current fish room presents some concerns in how lights are held, having only 12" clearance in the back, 8" in the front. Currently using the provided wires, but this is not really the best solution.

Was thinking on utilizing a TV bracket mounted from the ceiling that would allow the light to be positioned better, and allow movement to pull the lights out for easy maintenance.

Only concerns are that I would need to rely on the hinge in a different fashion than it was designed for. As backup, I would have a safety wire in place in case the hinge became loose over time.

Any thoughts on this? Any better ideas?

Below are how the lights are currently set up, and my proposed solution for this. I realize this bracket will need some modification to the lights...

The brackets should work, if your concerned with over-extension of the brackets and possible fail, you can drill a hole in both arms of the bracket, put eye bolts in it and support the bracket 90 degree angle with a short cable or chain (so that the arms and chain forms a triangle.

 

[SVTour]

The brackets should work, if your concerned with over-extension of the brackets and possible fail, you can drill a hole in both arms of the bracket, put eye bolts in it and support the bracket 90 degree angle with a short cable or chain (so that the arms and chain forms a triangle.

I like the idea - I can see if this can be done on the unit I look to obtain. May be easier to do than how I have the safety cable...I could even put the cable in that location.

I also see you use paint as well as I do...

 

[TriggerFinger]

It’s still sloppy looking. I am ordering more Liverock so I’m not set on the height of the light just yet. I did not mount the light to the bracket. Here are some pics. Notice I have crooked mounts because of the hinge being so tight...it drives me crazy

 

[SVTour]

It’s still sloppy looking. I am ordering more Liverock so I’m not set on the height of the light just yet. I did not mount the light to the bracket. Here are some pics. Notice I have crooked brackets because of the hinge being so tight...it drives me crazy

Thanks for the pics. It helps and I see what you're referencing.

Since you're not really using the plate, is there a way you could place an eye-hook in there (remove the plate and tie the carabiner to that)? Please excuse my awesome paint skills - but something like this. not sure what's at the end...

 

[TriggerFinger]

Someone probably could...I don’t know that I feel comfortable doing it. Lady reefer here with no experience in metal drilling...only wood. And venturing into acrylic next!

 

[TriggerFinger]

Would look a lot nicer though...maybe I should buy a mount and practice

 

[SVTour]

Wanted to give an update on this...as the bracket did arrive over the weekend.

First off, little adjustment from my initial setup on where this will be tied. Instead of from the ceiling, I will post this to the 2x4's that surround the beam...like this.

I don't see this as an adjustment to those wanting to do this from the ceiling...but felt I have better support from the 2x4's vs the plywood that used on the ceiling in my fishroom.

Excuse the floating bags...bought a couple shrimp for the cleanup crew.

 

[SVTour]

As this slightly becomes more of a DIY - the connection was almost perfect with the hardware they provided. washers help make the bracket attachments flush.

And setting this was almost a perfect fit...but nothing a dremel couldn't fix.

 

[SVTour]

This created another issues in how the plug was covered, which a 180 degree turn fixed. I also wanted to keep the wires for a little - as security in case the bracket could not hold

 

[SVTour]

From that, a quick test fit found that the light was really close to the water. Which isn't bad, but left no flexibility on adjustment. With that in mind, I elected to cut 1 3/4" off the top of the bracket. Little black phantom pearl paint courtesy of Audi...and we're putting the bracket back together.

You can see I also tapped in my safety wire, which is the line coming out where the VIVO logo is, to the left of the O. More on that in a bit.

 

[SVTour]

So...I've had it up for a couple days now, enough to be okay with the secondary safety wires. I pulled them off and replaced with wingnuts.

You can see how much more level the bracket is making the fixture over the wire held. Much better than what I still have for the left and right lights.

One adjustment for the safety wire...not wild about how I have this set. I think I'll make an adjustment to the end of the light, which will more hold the light, opposed to the 90 degree elbow. If I create a hook for this safety...I can remove and pull the light away for maintenance.

Final note...liked it enough to order 2 more for the left and right side. Should have this done next weekend.

Once I have that done, I'll clean up the wires for these lights and my homemade moonlight project I'm working on (those black boxes on the front), and post up some final pictures.

 

[TriggerFinger]

Looks SO much cleaner than mine I think you have a solid set up there. Well done!!

 

[RichtheReefer21]

Nice work