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Hanging a light?

13K views 14 replies 5 participants last post by  DKRST 
#1 ·
How do you suspend a light above a tank?
I have a good light that already has the suspension cables, but I'm not certain how to mount it to the ceiling. I'd prefer to have the cables adjustable so I can try different heights.
 
#2 ·
Buy two ceiling hooks (watch video) from your hardware store. Measure the distance between your two supension cables on your light strip. To make sure you get the light square over the tank in the right position you will have to take measurements of the length of the tank and how far you want the light from the wall. With these measurements you should be able to mark your two holes on the ceiling that you will drill out..

This is a video how to install the ceiling hooks. If your suspension cables are not long enough you can get all types of decorative chain from your local hardware store. They will cut the chains to a specific length so keep in mind how long you may want them.

 
#3 ·
I'd try to hit a joist instead of using those hooks.

Tap on the ceiling above the tank until you hit a hard spot, not hollow sounding. Use a finishing nail or something similar. (Very small) Use that to nail into the spot to make sure you found the joist. If not the hole is tiny and you won't even see it after you remove the nail. If you can see it you can apply a little spackle to the hole.

Once you found the joist use a screw hook.




Sorry for the large pic. :)


Get some small chain and you can raise it up and down with that until you find the length you want and clip the chain.
 
#5 · (Edited)
Yes finding a stud is best but aquarium placement is not always perfectly situated in order to use those types of hooks. If you do have to use the expanding hooks it will be ok. They are strong enough to hang a potted planted with dirt in it. Light banks dont weight that much. But a stud screw hook Strand mentioned is much stronger and should be used first if your studs are in the right position for you :).
 
#6 · (Edited)
Actually I have a question now hahah. I was wondering how a person would know how far the light strip needs to be above the tank? My worries is that if your light is already a "low light" then you may hurt the plants by raising it too much above the tank. I am assuming you have t5 lights "strong light"? Even if that is true then still how do you tell how high above the tank you can get it?
 
#7 · (Edited)
That part is the easy piece - there is a chart on The Planted Tank forum (PAR vs Distance, T5, T12, PC - Updated Again Charts) indicating lighting type and estimated elevation above the tank needed for low, medium, and high lighting. With 2x T5HO's, I'm waaay above "low light" :). I need my fixture about 24" above the substrate if I don't use fiberglass screen to reduce the intensity.

I was not as clear as I should have been on my initial post. The ceiling attachment is not the issue, that I can do. My problem is what to do with the cable end itself to make the end loop/attachment to the ceiling hook:
1) secure
2) not visually ugly
3) adjustable

The adjustable part is vexing me the most. I can make a loop in the cables, crimp the sleeves, and hang, no problem. The issue is then what is the best, and least visually intrusive, way to adjust the height. It's in my living room and needs to look nice. I'd really prefer to not cut any of the length off the cable, saving it for future adjustments and/or tank size changes.
 
#8 ·
I find suspended lights to be detrimental to viewing the tank. There is a lot of light dissipated out and it shines directly in your eyes. In a working fish room that is perhaps not an issue as you do not sit in front of the tank to view it. But even then, I can't see into the tank with all that light hitting me; it's like looking up into the sky on a bright sunny day. I have been in fish stores with suspended lights and can never see the fish in the tank well enough so I don't buy them.:-?
 
#9 ·
That's an excellent point and I am worried that light glare could be a problem in my living room. Once I get the light suspended, I'll see how big a problem it is. My backup plan is to build a 3-sided open top (light blocking panels) that extends from the tank top up to a point that is even with the fixture's final height. Making the "top" three-sided will allow reduced weight and easy removal for tank maintenance. I'll likely make the top out of sheet and bar acrylic and paint the backside (inside) gloss black to match the tank and stand textures.
 
#13 ·
Interesting, but not quite the polished look I'm shooting for in my living room. I'm bookmarking the page for possible use in other applications though!
 
#14 ·
One way to dress up the yo yos would be to fit sleeves over them. Remember "Hair Scrunchies" those rubber bands with a foot of fabric wrapped around them that every high school girl from here to timbuktu wore on her wrist? Same concept, less awkward. You could blend it or make it decorative.

I'm encountering a similar lighting issue. I have a six foot tank and four foot lighting. I'm probably gonna go with six 24" T5s that I found for $9 each and mount them to a panel with a light weight facade for the all around. The problem with mine is that in order to get light weight I can't go sturdy. So suspending the fixture seems like a good option, provided I can solve the up and down issue.

Using chain seems the easiest answer. When I need it up, just snap on a caribeaner and link bottom links to higher ones. I'd only be able to do one end at a time though. My other consideration has been cable with a pully system. To secure the loose end I'll loop and crimp it and simply create a second "button" to put the loop on when the fixture is up.

My last idea was to use wrought iron hangers. I don't quite know what they are, I think they're to hang lanterns or planters from in the garden. Its a long piece of metal about half inch in diameter that is shaped like a candy cane. I saw them and Immediately thought they'd fit behind my tank and be the perfect height to hang the light fixture from. The added bonus is I don't have to balance precariously on a ladder over 2000 pounds of water and glass. To raise the fixture (for my tank they'd be posted near each end and accessible from behind) just have one person on each side lift them about a foot with the fixture still attached and place a block under them to keep them elevated.

I don't know if any of these are applicable, but hopefully you got an idea from them. My tank is in my office and I know how it is balancing aesthetics with functionality.
 
#15 ·
I think I'll end up forming a loop in the cable ends and then using some decorative S-hooks or small (6-12") plant hangers (larger S hooks, basically) at the ceiling hooks to raise and lower the light slightly. I don't need a huge range of up and down, just enough to get the light level to "medium" in the tank. I'd prefer to use both bulbs on my T5HO fixture, it gives a better color balance, but means more elevation and light spillage into the room. Since I don't have access to a PAR meter, it will be a best estimate process on the initial height and then minor adjustments over time. If the light ends up being a nuisance I'll go to one bulb and drop it closer to the water surface.
 
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