Recommendation on light hanging kit

Al G Blenny · 05/20/2010, 09:37 PM

I have an 8 bulb T5 fixture hanging above my tank but the hanging kit sucks. I used to have a nice kit that came with a halide I had that made it easy to raise the lights up whenever I wanted. I know that sunlight supply has something like that but it looks like it uses string to hold it up. Plus it doesn't have any loops or hooks at the end of the string. I don't trust my knot tying skills that much. Anyone else have a suggestion? If I need to rig something from a hardware store I am able to do it. I would just like to hear what other people have done. It would be great if there was a nice kit pre-built that I could just buy. Thanks

rxx2 · 05/20/2010, 11:05 PM

Check out arakawagrip.com

sedor · 05/20/2010, 11:09 PM

Depending on your metal working skills I imagine it wouldn't be hard to put something together. I remember an article presented by reef central that showed how to make a light hanging kit by using metal tubing and a bender tool to create rounded corners. Then just drill a hole in the tube and use wire and something similar to a nut and bolt on the end. Sounds like an afternoon at the hardware store should get you what you need.

sedor · 05/20/2010, 11:11 PM

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2009-04/diy/index.php
I found the article for you.

Al G Blenny · 05/20/2010, 11:26 PM

Thanks Ben! That's a cool site. I'm gonna give them a call tomorrow to see what they suggest.

Thanks Ryan but I need something that can raise and lower. The only thing in that article that can do that is the sunlight supply hanging kit. Like I said in the first I don't want to go that route because I don't trust the strings they have coming out of them.

Another option is a rail that I can slide the light across. That would be kinda cool being able to just push the light out of the way. I might look into that.

Johnny C · 05/21/2010, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Al G Blenny

The only thing in that article that can do that is the sunlight supply hanging kit. Like I said in the first I don't want to go that route because I don't trust the strings they have coming out of them.

Why don't you trust them? I have used several and one time even pulled really hard on the cable. They are sturdy... trust me; if they weren't, I wouldn't let it hang my light over my aquarium!

Ian · 05/21/2010, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny C

Why don't you trust them? I have used several and one time even pulled really hard on the cable. They are sturdy... trust me; if they weren't, I wouldn't let it hang my light over my aquarium!

Agreed. I use the ATI ones(same thing) on 4 different fixtures. They're solid...

purplereef · 05/21/2010, 08:14 AM

Hi Matt,
Cool to see you on the board again. Do you still have several tanks up and running?

montrose · 05/21/2010, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny C

Why don't you trust them? I have used several and one time even pulled really hard on the cable. They are sturdy... trust me; if they weren't, I wouldn't let it hang my light over my aquarium!

Agreed.

I think even the cheapest 1/16" metal cable has a breaking strength of around 500 pounds.

upster · 05/21/2010, 11:04 AM

On my new setup I am using the Sunlight Supply hanging kit on a Lumenmax 3 pendant. I know that the connectors on the pendant side screw nicely into the eye-bolt holes on all Sunlight Supply fixtures. Maybe you could tap the holes on your existing fixture?

I am really happy with this kit. The parts are great quality and look fantastic.

05/20/2010, 09:37 PM	#1
Al G Blenny Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Redwood City CA Posts: 1,210	Recommendation on light hanging kit I have an 8 bulb T5 fixture hanging above my tank but the hanging kit sucks. I used to have a nice kit that came with a halide I had that made it easy to raise the lights up whenever I wanted. I know that sunlight supply has something like that but it looks like it uses string to hold it up. Plus it doesn't have any loops or hooks at the end of the string. I don't trust my knot tying skills that much. Anyone else have a suggestion? If I need to rig something from a hardware store I am able to do it. I would just like to hear what other people have done. It would be great if there was a nice kit pre-built that I could just buy. Thanks

05/20/2010, 11:09 PM	#3
sedor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 4,689	Depending on your metal working skills I imagine it wouldn't be hard to put something together. I remember an article presented by reef central that showed how to make a light hanging kit by using metal tubing and a bender tool to create rounded corners. Then just drill a hole in the tube and use wire and something similar to a nut and bolt on the end. Sounds like an afternoon at the hardware store should get you what you need. __________________ Ryan

05/20/2010, 11:11 PM	#4
sedor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 4,689	http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2009-04/diy/index.php I found the article for you. __________________ Ryan

05/21/2010, 08:14 AM	#8
purplereef Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Chardon, Ohio Posts: 1,442	Hi Matt, Cool to see you on the board again. Do you still have several tanks up and running? __________________ Proudly Contrailing the World since 1999. Current Tank Info: 120xl Elos.

05/21/2010, 11:04 AM	#10
upster Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 143	On my new setup I am using the Sunlight Supply hanging kit on a Lumenmax 3 pendant. I know that the connectors on the pendant side screw nicely into the eye-bolt holes on all Sunlight Supply fixtures. Maybe you could tap the holes on your existing fixture? I am really happy with this kit. The parts are great quality and look fantastic. __________________ "I've fixed it, it'll work this time." Just upgraded to a 58g Oceanic and the only thing I broke was the old tank.

05/20/2010, 11:05 PM	#2
rxx2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 1,092	Check out arakawagrip.com

05/20/2010, 11:26 PM	#5
Al G Blenny Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Redwood City CA Posts: 1,210	Thanks Ben! That's a cool site. I'm gonna give them a call tomorrow to see what they suggest. Thanks Ryan but I need something that can raise and lower. The only thing in that article that can do that is the sunlight supply hanging kit. Like I said in the first I don't want to go that route because I don't trust the strings they have coming out of them. Another option is a rail that I can slide the light across. That would be kinda cool being able to just push the light out of the way. I might look into that.

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