ai sol nano arm - anyone modding?

[6Speed]

Wondering if anyone has modded the ai sol nano mounting arm. I know that I had to fit a spacer inbetween it and my glass just to get it to hold firmly. I know other people mentioned painting it white. I considered buying shorter screws so the unit would hang snug to the arm.

Just wondering what creative ideas people had come up with or if they had ditched the arm all together and went a different route.

 

[6Speed]

bump.

 

[chadfarmer]

i have seen conduit used to hold the light and aluminum bar

 

[blakers82]

The new AI Nano arm is not conducive to many setups at all! I had to pick up some longer screws to get it to attach to the "overflow" wall on my JBJ Nano. The screws it came with barely made it through one side seemingly limitting the user to a tank with an exact rim diameter, maybe 1/16 inch difference. Silly.

I plan to move it to my display system's sump one day to grow corals underneath my display and that arm will NOT work with ANY non-rimless tank. As of now, I'll have to drill into my display's frame, underneath, to rig a hanging unit for it. In fact, I could use some ideas there.

 

[6Speed]

I'm going to cut out a small piece of acrylic and get some longer nylon screws to make it fit the rim of my tank. I might paint it white, not sure though.

I would love to build a custom hanger but I don't like the metal pipe hanger look. mostly bc you have to hide it behind the overflow. I want something that either attaches directly to the rim or maybe to wall behind the tank?

 

[Sm1nts2escape]

I shortend my screws by 3/8" so my lights are tight to the arms.

 

[reefSTC]

following this, really don't like the default arm, would love to see what other option people have come up with...

 

[reeferlover]

anyone tried this arm on a bc29 getting ready to purchase one or maybe the new jbj unibody do u need a controller for each?

 

[wolfador]

anyone tried this arm on a bc29 getting ready to purchase one or maybe the new jbj unibody do u need a controller for each?

on the nano-reef forums there are a few with one on the BC29, they attached it to the overflow wall.

On my 10G I had to drill new holes in the mount to move the light backwards. In the stock holes it was hanging over the front of the tank.

 

[6Speed]

this weekend I bought some longer nylon screws from home depot for the mountpoint to the tank. I'm going to cut out a piece of acrylic to fit between the mount and the glass so that when the screws are tightened down they aren't coming in contact with the glass.

I also bought some shorter stainless screws for the light-to-bracket mounting point to pull the light up tighter to the bracket. I think I got 1/2" screws but probably could have used 3/8".

For anyone looking, both screw sizes required for the bottom and top of the bracket are 10/32 @ whatever length you want to buy.

 

[jfingers8]

No offense to AI users out there, but it's pretty sad that you guys spend all that money on a fixture and then go crazy trying to mod the mount because it sucks or make a home depot hanging kit that obviously can't look good. I don't get it.

 

[6Speed]

299 ain't bad for a fixture that I won't have to replace $60.00 bulbs every 6-8 months like I did with my mh lights. Especially so considering I had another 200 in ballasts/reflectors/sockets/etc...and my mh's didn't come with a hanging kit and cost a heck of a lot more electricity to run.

I didn't get a hanging kit with my previous t5 setup nor my previous mh setup. IMO AI didn't have to including a mounting arm at all but I'm glad they did - even if I need to make a few mods to it.

 

[wolfador]

No offense to AI users out there, but it's pretty sad that you guys spend all that money on a fixture and then go crazy trying to mod the mount because it sucks or make a home depot hanging kit that obviously can't look good. I don't get it.

yea it is pretty crazy, I think they should send someone out to come and make a custom mount for your tank.

Its hard to make a single mount that would work on everyone's tank.

 

[jfingers8]

6speed, I ain't talking LED vs. t-5 or MH. I'm just saying the mount is a extremely poor design for the money you pay.

wolfador there are plenty of lights out there that have mounts that will fit 99% of peoples tanks. Nice sarcasm though.

 

[6Speed]

what lights out there come with a mount and will fit most tanks?

 

[jfingers8]

Why don't you name a bunch that don't? JBJ Unibody will fit majority of tanks. Unless your glass is over 3/4" thick.

 

[6Speed]

Dude, you made the claim that there are "plenty of lights out there that have mounts that will fit 99% of peoples tanks"

So name them, please. I'd like to know. According to you it's sad we spent "all this money," on a light with a crappy mount/hanger. What "plenty" of lights out there are a better bargain that come with a mount, (besides the one you happen to own - which, btw, is more expensive than the ai nano)...

 

[jfingers8]

We aren't talking about price. At least it has a mount that works without a hassle. ok so just leds with mounts, Ecoxotic Panorama, Elos E-Lite, Innovative Marine Skkye Light, Kessil A150W, Maxspect Mazarra P-Series, Nano Box. there are plenty of popular ones in there to name a few. I am trying to talk to you on a adult level and your acting like a child. Chances are your a AI fanboy.

 

[jfingers8]

We aren't talking about price. After you factor in a controller and building materials its more expensive than a JBJ Unibody, so not sure what your talking about there. At least it has a mount that works without a hassle. ok so just leds with mounts, Ecoxotic Panorama, Innovative Marine Skkye Light, Kessil A150W, Maxspect Mazarra P-Series, Nano Box. there obviously are many more but I ain't going to sit here with you everyday and debate that AI has a shitty mount. there are plenty of popular ones in there to name a few. I am trying to talk to you on a adult level and your acting like a child. Chances are your a AI fanboy.

 

[jfingers8]

I will just end it here. I know you will come back with something to say, no biggy. Just remember something, forums are here for people to share their opinions not defend something like its your child. Last thing, black mount, white fixture, wow they got the look right on too! Bottom line and even you will agree deep down inside is AI screwed up pretty bad with there mount.