Light rig that raises out of the way

jpeconsult · 04/13/2007, 09:42 PM

I am building a 240g RR into a wall of a new construction house with a sump room. Since the tank is only accessible from the sump room, lights hanging from 8" to 12" would hang in my way of messing around in the tank. I can only think of raising the lights to move them out of the way. Any suggestions? I saw Melev's (melevsreef.com) light rig that slides forward/backward, so there has to be a way to raise and lower...maybe an electic hoist...hydrolics...rope and pulleys

.

Tell me what you think...taking all suggections.

Tank will be 60" x 36" x 25"
Room will be 5'2" (62") wide, 12.5' long and 8' or 9' tall.

jpeconsult · 04/13/2007, 10:49 PM

Anyone with link, suggestions or anything?

skozzy1 · 04/13/2007, 11:11 PM

My CURRENT USA hanging fixture uses cable that threads through a metal cyllinder. It has a button that you push to release the friction so you can move it up and down (one side at a time).
It takes a little effort to lift it but it does work and seems to be very positive. Hope this helps

skozzy1 · 04/13/2007, 11:17 PM

After thinking about your situation a pulley and a spreader bar would be a good idea too. You could attach a cleat (like the one that you would use to tie a boat to the dock with) to the wall.
Can you picture that?

BurntOutReefer · 04/13/2007, 11:22 PM

hydrulic lift

jpeconsult · 04/13/2007, 11:26 PM

Yeah, I think a pulley/bar combo would be the low cost option...but what if...what if I wanted my sump room was impressive, effective and practical...what about a light-duty electrical hoist/bar combo that does the same thing as "arm-lifting" with the press of a button or a flip of a switch? Seen/heard anything like that? Hydrolic actuators? What type of rig/bracing would the lights need to be mounted to...like aluminum, square tubing? Maybe some sort of rail to guide the rig/fixture so it won't swing like tarzan? I think this could be an awesome option...What do you think? Anyone else?

jpeconsult · 04/13/2007, 11:27 PM

Anyone know of any links/pictures or DIY's

Bri Guy · 04/14/2007, 06:04 PM

Check out Als tank lighting in this months reefkeeping mag.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-04/ac/index.php

He doesn't explain the pully system, but you can see it!

Joshua1023 · 04/14/2007, 06:23 PM

Second the hydrolic lifts. Inexpensive and reliable.

DarG · 04/14/2007, 06:49 PM

My light fixture hands from a single cable that runs through 2 pulleys. On the free end of the cable, I use a s-hook that hooks to a chain. I have some cable wrapped around the fixture on each end and inserted into a piece of silicone tubing to protect the fixture. So, I can pull up the entire fixture from one end and adjust the height by hooking the s-hook in one of the chain links. I raise it to do maint. inside the tank and then lower it back down. It's manual, but it isnt like it's much work to raise and lower it. I imagine it could be made automatic with some type of small wench, like maybe those automatic wenches for boat trailers.

04/13/2007, 09:42 PM	#1
jpeconsult Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Pineville, LA Posts: 90	Light rig that raises out of the way I am building a 240g RR into a wall of a new construction house with a sump room. Since the tank is only accessible from the sump room, lights hanging from 8" to 12" would hang in my way of messing around in the tank. I can only think of raising the lights to move them out of the way. Any suggestions? I saw Melev's (melevsreef.com) light rig that slides forward/backward, so there has to be a way to raise and lower...maybe an electic hoist...hydrolics...rope and pulleys . Tell me what you think...taking all suggections. Tank will be 60" x 36" x 25" Room will be 5'2" (62") wide, 12.5' long and 8' or 9' tall. __________________ Why does Nemo get all the attention when Marlin had the lead role? Current Tank Info: 240g in-wall w/ filter room Last edited by jpeconsult; 04/13/2007 at 10:10 PM.

04/13/2007, 10:49 PM	#2
jpeconsult Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Pineville, LA Posts: 90	Anyone with link, suggestions or anything? __________________ Why does Nemo get all the attention when Marlin had the lead role? Current Tank Info: 240g in-wall w/ filter room

04/13/2007, 11:26 PM	#6
jpeconsult Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Pineville, LA Posts: 90	Yeah, I think a pulley/bar combo would be the low cost option...but what if...what if I wanted my sump room was impressive, effective and practical...what about a light-duty electrical hoist/bar combo that does the same thing as "arm-lifting" with the press of a button or a flip of a switch? Seen/heard anything like that? Hydrolic actuators? What type of rig/bracing would the lights need to be mounted to...like aluminum, square tubing? Maybe some sort of rail to guide the rig/fixture so it won't swing like tarzan? I think this could be an awesome option...What do you think? Anyone else? __________________ Why does Nemo get all the attention when Marlin had the lead role? Current Tank Info: 240g in-wall w/ filter room

04/13/2007, 11:27 PM	#7
jpeconsult Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Pineville, LA Posts: 90	Anyone know of any links/pictures or DIY's __________________ Why does Nemo get all the attention when Marlin had the lead role? Current Tank Info: 240g in-wall w/ filter room

04/14/2007, 06:04 PM	#8
Bri Guy Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Appleton, Wisconsin Posts: 2,995	Check out Als tank lighting in this months reefkeeping mag. http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-04/ac/index.php He doesn't explain the pully system, but you can see it! __________________ For my birthday i got a humidifier and a de-humidifier... I put them in the same room and let them fight it out. (Steven Wright) Current Tank Info: 40BR w/ 250w 14K Phoenix + 192w PC, 10g fuge w/ 55w PC, 10g sump, Eheim 1250 return w/ SCWD, ASM Mini G skimmer, Gravity fed ATO, Kalk doser, 1/10 HP chiller, 1 Vortec + 3MJs, all on an AC Jr. - Born on date 8-06 Pics in gallery! + 55g FOWLR w/ macro

04/13/2007, 11:11 PM	#3
skozzy1 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Ketchikan Alaska Posts: 132	My CURRENT USA hanging fixture uses cable that threads through a metal cyllinder. It has a button that you push to release the friction so you can move it up and down (one side at a time). It takes a little effort to lift it but it does work and seems to be very positive. Hope this helps

04/13/2007, 11:17 PM	#4
skozzy1 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Ketchikan Alaska Posts: 132	After thinking about your situation a pulley and a spreader bar would be a good idea too. You could attach a cleat (like the one that you would use to tie a boat to the dock with) to the wall. Can you picture that?

04/13/2007, 11:22 PM	#5
BurntOutReefer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Granada Hills Posts: 4,376	hydrulic lift

04/14/2007, 06:23 PM	#9
Joshua1023 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Reading PA Posts: 1,526	Second the hydrolic lifts. Inexpensive and reliable. __________________ Only bad things happen fast. Only bad thing happen fast. Only bad things happen fast. Man,I'm friggen hard-headed!!! Current Tank Info: 90 gl tank,Coralife 14K MH lights,2 Current dual daylight/actinic 40 watt fixtures, tidepool sump,Coralife SS 220 protein skimmer,six inch sand bed w/ plenum, Current Prime Tower 1/3 hp Chiller,RedSea ozonizer w/ orp

04/14/2007, 06:49 PM	#10
DarG Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,515	My light fixture hands from a single cable that runs through 2 pulleys. On the free end of the cable, I use a s-hook that hooks to a chain. I have some cable wrapped around the fixture on each end and inserted into a piece of silicone tubing to protect the fixture. So, I can pull up the entire fixture from one end and adjust the height by hooking the s-hook in one of the chain links. I raise it to do maint. inside the tank and then lower it back down. It's manual, but it isnt like it's much work to raise and lower it. I imagine it could be made automatic with some type of small wench, like maybe those automatic wenches for boat trailers.