Question for those with suspended light fixtures...

Jacwil · 08/30/2010, 10:20 PM

How do you all perform maintenance in the tank or work on the fixture itself such as wiping dwn the shield etc? I have never seen the hang kits. If I decide to hang a fixture, I would really like the option of being able to swing it out of the way or raise it up...what do you all do? TIA!!!!!

mdbrit · 08/31/2010, 10:56 AM

I would appreciate seeing some solutions to this also.

Toddrtrex · 08/31/2010, 12:45 PM

As for tank maintenance, mine is high enough that it doesn't interfere. As for cleaning the shields, I have to take it down to do that -- though I suppose I could clean them with just a wet paper towel (( and dry them )) as it hangs --- when the lights are off.

Can see that it is hanging high enough to not really interfere.

mdbrit · 08/31/2010, 01:03 PM

Thanks for that. I have two options I think. Wall mounting shelving like you have or I'm thinking of attaching the wall mounts to the back of the cabinet. I could do with a shelf mind you!

Can you raise and lower the light easily on those hanging wires? They all say adjustable, but I'm guessing it's something you don't want to be doing all the time?

Toddrtrex · 08/31/2010, 01:34 PM

Actually it would be very easy to lower/raise the lights. It just so happens that the height I have it right now is perfect -- tank doesn't get too hot, nice light spread, and still can work on the tank. Though come winter time I might lower the lights a bit -- I keep my place pretty cool, and so that heater won't run as much.

Just need to push up a little metal piece to lower the fixture, and just push up the wire to raise them.

mdbrit · 08/31/2010, 01:44 PM

Is that the CurrentUSA hanging kit?

Toddrtrex · 08/31/2010, 01:56 PM

Yes it is.

DanMgy · 08/31/2010, 03:08 PM

I have seen some threads over in the DIY forum where people have hooked the hanging system to a rolling track (similar to a sliding cloest door) mounted on the ceiling, so you could essentially slide the whole light fixture forward or backward.

Did a quick Google search and it would be using something like this: http://johnsonhardware.com/sdindex.htm

or even something like this, that seems to be a complete kit: http://www.thehardwarehut.com/catalo...p?p_ref=237669

Drewbaby · 08/31/2010, 03:36 PM

Use pulleys and hoist it up and down with a small remote driven moter. You could even use one from an old RC car as long as it has forward AND reverse lol. Then you could raise an lower it from across the room

Ynotme4886 · 08/31/2010, 03:42 PM

I built my own hanging arms with 3/4 inch iron pipe from Home Depot.

Gave it a good coating with black rustoleum paint and mounted it to the back of the stand with 4 3/4inch brackets on each side bolted to the back of the tech stand.

The ATI powermodule fixture I have weighs a ton so I was afraid to make the hanging arms out of conduit and went with a heavier pipe to make sure the arms wouldnt bend or sag.

As for maintenance I just hoist it up till its out of the way.

Here is a pic from when I was setting the tank up

luisgo · 09/01/2010, 05:13 PM

I constructed two brakets that are fixed to the wall. For maintenance I just slide the lamp to the back and I have plenty of space to work in the tank.

sfboarders · 09/01/2010, 05:19 PM

Some hardware that can help you out.

http://www.specialty-lights.com/plan...ghtmovers.html

http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/cat...roducts_id=499

turbot · 09/01/2010, 05:21 PM

You can go to a garden center that deals in hydroponic and they should have grow light hangers. They are a reeled cord type of hanger tighten the tensioner to the lifting weight of the fixture and raised and lower to what ever hight you want. I will try and find a pic.

turbot · 09/01/2010, 05:25 PM

This is what i'm using but not from this web site

http://www.progressive-growth.com/pr...p?prod=sunlift

sfboarders · 09/01/2010, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turbot

You can go to a garden center that deals in hydroponic and they should have grow light hangers. They are a reeled cord type of hanger tighten the tensioner to the lifting weight of the fixture and raised and lower to what ever hight you want. I will try and find a pic.

Uuuummm, like the links I posted in my previous post?

jahorgos · 09/01/2010, 05:39 PM

The ATI T5 light fixtures come with hanging hardware and they easily move up and down. I whipe them with a wet rag once a month..ish.

turbot · 09/01/2010, 05:58 PM

You must have posted will I was typing didn't see it sorry

08/30/2010, 10:20 PM	#1
Jacwil Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bloomfield, NY Posts: 3,471	Question for those with suspended light fixtures... How do you all perform maintenance in the tank or work on the fixture itself such as wiping dwn the shield etc? I have never seen the hang kits. If I decide to hang a fixture, I would really like the option of being able to swing it out of the way or raise it up...what do you all do? TIA!!!!! __________________ "Everyday I go to work I pray my gf wont sell my tank before I get home!" Cameron0611 -Justin

08/31/2010, 12:45 PM	#3
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	As for tank maintenance, mine is high enough that it doesn't interfere. As for cleaning the shields, I have to take it down to do that -- though I suppose I could clean them with just a wet paper towel (( and dry them )) as it hangs --- when the lights are off. Can see that it is hanging high enough to not really interfere. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

08/31/2010, 01:34 PM	#5
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	Actually it would be very easy to lower/raise the lights. It just so happens that the height I have it right now is perfect -- tank doesn't get too hot, nice light spread, and still can work on the tank. Though come winter time I might lower the lights a bit -- I keep my place pretty cool, and so that heater won't run as much. Just need to push up a little metal piece to lower the fixture, and just push up the wire to raise them. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

08/31/2010, 01:56 PM	#7
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	Yes it is. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

08/31/2010, 03:08 PM	#8
DanMgy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 204	I have seen some threads over in the DIY forum where people have hooked the hanging system to a rolling track (similar to a sliding cloest door) mounted on the ceiling, so you could essentially slide the whole light fixture forward or backward. Did a quick Google search and it would be using something like this: http://johnsonhardware.com/sdindex.htm or even something like this, that seems to be a complete kit: http://www.thehardwarehut.com/catalo...p?p_ref=237669 Last edited by DanMgy; 08/31/2010 at 03:13 PM.

08/31/2010, 10:56 AM	#2
mdbrit Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 134	I would appreciate seeing some solutions to this also.

08/31/2010, 01:03 PM	#4
mdbrit Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 134	Thanks for that. I have two options I think. Wall mounting shelving like you have or I'm thinking of attaching the wall mounts to the back of the cabinet. I could do with a shelf mind you! Can you raise and lower the light easily on those hanging wires? They all say adjustable, but I'm guessing it's something you don't want to be doing all the time?

08/31/2010, 01:44 PM	#6
mdbrit Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 134	Is that the CurrentUSA hanging kit?

08/31/2010, 03:36 PM	#9
Drewbaby Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: FL Posts: 874	Use pulleys and hoist it up and down with a small remote driven moter. You could even use one from an old RC car as long as it has forward AND reverse lol. Then you could raise an lower it from across the room

08/31/2010, 03:42 PM	#10
Ynotme4886 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Central NJ Posts: 237	I built my own hanging arms with 3/4 inch iron pipe from Home Depot. Gave it a good coating with black rustoleum paint and mounted it to the back of the stand with 4 3/4inch brackets on each side bolted to the back of the tech stand. The ATI powermodule fixture I have weighs a ton so I was afraid to make the hanging arms out of conduit and went with a heavier pipe to make sure the arms wouldnt bend or sag. As for maintenance I just hoist it up till its out of the way. Here is a pic from when I was setting the tank up

09/01/2010, 05:13 PM	#11
luisgo Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Puerto Rico Posts: 628	I constructed two brakets that are fixed to the wall. For maintenance I just slide the lamp to the back and I have plenty of space to work in the tank. __________________ Tank of the Month Reefkeeping Magazine 11/2008 Current Tank Info: Reef 125 gal, Aquapod 12gal, 55 planted

09/01/2010, 05:19 PM	#12
sfboarders Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: 808 State Posts: 1,356	Some hardware that can help you out. http://www.specialty-lights.com/plan...ghtmovers.html http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/cat...roducts_id=499

09/01/2010, 05:21 PM	#13
turbot Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Myakka City Posts: 106	You can go to a garden center that deals in hydroponic and they should have grow light hangers. They are a reeled cord type of hanger tighten the tensioner to the lifting weight of the fixture and raised and lower to what ever hight you want. I will try and find a pic.

09/01/2010, 05:25 PM	#14
turbot Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Myakka City Posts: 106	This is what i'm using but not from this web site http://www.progressive-growth.com/pr...p?prod=sunlift

09/01/2010, 05:39 PM	#16
jahorgos Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 134	The ATI T5 light fixtures come with hanging hardware and they easily move up and down. I whipe them with a wet rag once a month..ish.

09/01/2010, 05:58 PM	#17
turbot Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Myakka City Posts: 106	You must have posted will I was typing didn't see it sorry

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