AgentSPS' 300 Gallon ***DreamReef***

paulthomas said:
I'm sorry to bombard you with questions, Erik. It seems there aren't too many of these fixtures out there. I need all the help I can get. :o

It looks to me as though your crossbar extends ~ 2.5" beyond each fixture hanging bolt. Does the crossbar bend or bow at all, especially near the bolts, due to the weight of the Spectra? I wanted to know because I'm wondering if I can get away with leaving the cords, that come out of the top of the Spectra, where they are (centered on the grate) and having the crossbar extend only .5" beyond each fixture hanging bolt.

Did that make any sense at all? :crazy1:

I take it you replaced the European hanging bolts with longer, U.S. threaded ones :rolleye1: in order to bolt your Spectra through the 1/2" crossbar? The Spectra hanging bolts are metric and short, IIRC.

Thanks,
Paul
Click to expand...

Hi Paul-

Please don't apologize. Happy to help. Yes the crossbar extends ~2.5" past the mounting bolts just flush inside the end plates on the Spectra. The bar does bow slightly in the middle due to all the weight and the fact its only 1/2" tubular steel. Since you will use the existing mounting bolts and they are center to the fixture just like the cables, you will need to move the cables just like I did. Unless maybe you terminate the crossbar short of the cables.

I did replace the original hanging bolts with longer metric ones. We have a local HW store that carries metric. You should be able to find them somewhere pretty easily. I went longer than I had to and used two nylon bolts just to be extra safe. 40+ lbs held by two bolts is kinda scary.

Hope this helps!
 
AgentSPS said:
Hi Paul-

Please don't apologize. Happy to help. Yes the crossbar extends ~2.5" past the mounting bolts just flush inside the end plates on the Spectra. The bar does bow slightly in the middle due to all the weight and the fact its only 1/2" tubular steel. Since you will use the existing mounting bolts and they are center to the fixture just like the cables, you will need to move the cables just like I did. Unless maybe you terminate the crossbar short of the cables.

I did replace the original hanging bolts with longer metric ones. We have a local HW store that carries metric. You should be able to find them somewhere pretty easily. I went longer than I had to and used two nylon bolts just to be extra safe. 40+ lbs held by two bolts is kinda scary.

Hope this helps!
Click to expand...

You're help is tremendous. I would hate to order these trees and get what I don't need/want. While my head is spinnin' a tad, at the moment, you're saving me from some headaches in the future. No doubt.

Yep. I'm thinking terminate the crossbar short of the cables, which will give me 1/2-5/8" max, beyond the bolts. Maybe they can fabricate the crossbar with a larger square tubing, for added strength/rigidity, if necessary. I should know more tomorrow.

I hear ya. Having one of these fixtures come crashing down on the tank would be catastrophic. I'm thinking a split washer, regular nut and then a nylock nut on the bolts for added security.

Thanks, bro. :beer:
 
Update

Update

Well its been a long while since I have posted any updates. Figured I would make it a good one! Just arrived from Asia today. Can you guess what it is??

IMG_1356.jpg


In case Truffles didn't give you a good enough idea for scale, here is a pic next to the car

IMG_1357.jpg


How bout this clue?

IMG_1359.jpg
 
AgentSPS said:
Ed you get my size 10 up your... :lolspin:

Yeah I was really impressed with the crate. It was super light 1/4" ply which is great because its sturdy but not prohibitively heavy for intl shipment.
Click to expand...

I'll stop by sometime this week to see both of your new toys. :)
 
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