ai sol nano arm - anyone modding?

[6Speed]

Wow...

You do realize you're the one that started this debate? Then you pretend like you're being the adult and say I'm acting like a child...all while calling me a "fanboy." lol

First lets address one thing...your original post revolves around one issue...price and what you get for it.

Obviously price is a factor as your original post to this thread was "it's pretty sad that you guys spend all that money on a fixture and then go crazy trying to mod the mount."

In that comment you're indicating that the AI nano is overpriced.

JBJ Unibody doesn't have a controller or any option to add one (afaik) other than the dimmer switches which the nano also has built in (much more sleekly I might add) to the front of the unit. JBJ costs ~60.00 more than the AI unit.

A lot of those other units you're naming cost more than the nano. You're going to sit here and say you'll pay 700 bucks for an elos e-lite over a 300.00 ai nano simply because of the mount? Ecoxotic costs 500.00. Skkye light costs over 400.00. Maxspect Mazarra is 420.00 and the frame mount is another 54.00. Kessil isn't even adjustable for color so it's not really even in the same category. I'm not even sure it comes with a mounting arm as I see the arm is offered separately on Marine Depots site.

As far as the AI mount being poorly designed. Maybe it is. But I stick to my original statement that they didn't even have to include a mount for the price point that they're offering the unit.

Also, I love how you say you're going to "just end it here" and that it's "no biggie"...then you try to throw in one last jab about the arm color being different from the unit. lol

 

[Maximus]

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.

Do you happen to have a pic of the nano mounted to the arm? I really dislike how the unit hangs from the top of the arm, exposing the bolts. I bet it looks much cleaner when the unit is flush against the arm.

 

[6Speed]

Just to update everyone. I bought some smaller stainless allen head bolts to hang the light from the mount. I also bought some longer nylon screws to secure the mount to the tank. Home Depot only had 1 length nylon screw in the size/thread pitch I needed, so I got that and cut to proper length. I also found a scrap piece of plastic and cut it to fit between the arm and glass so that the screws wouldn't be coming in direct contact with the glass.

If anyone is looking, the size bolt/screw you need for the arm to light is a 1/2" long 10-32. I believe the nylon screw was a 10-32 as well. Total cost was about a dollar and I think the results are great. I also like the arm black since it matches the seams and overflow of my tank.

Here are the results:

 

[Maximus]

I just want to personally thank 6Speed for all his help. Without him, I would not have been able to mod the AI Nano. I have no clue what AI is thinking when they sell them with the short, plastic bolts and the long metal bolts. They need to reverse those sizes and it would be perfect. After all, most people who buy these fixtures put them in a small tank, with glass sizes around 1/8-1/4" thick. Why would they sell them with these short, plastic screws that won't work on those sizes?

 

[6Speed]

No problem dude! Glad I could help. Did you get your bolts? If so, did you use the ones like I got, or the smoother button head type?

 

[Maximus]

I bought the smooth ones. I kinda like your style a little better though. I'm debating on whether to get an Elos mini. Do you feel that the AI nano has good coverage for the mini?

 

[Maximus]

I also wanted to say that I really like the arm. Personally, I think it looks great. If they had included different sized bolts, it would have been perfect.

 

[6Speed]

Oh yeah the ai nano is more than enough for the mini. The only thing I don't like is that the rock highest up in the center gets a lot more light (this is natural, obviously). There's just a bit of spotlighting right at the center high up. I could correct that with a different aquascape, but I like my arch.

 

[E.intheC]

6speed, that's a great idea. I'll have to try that tomorrow.

Question though... I may have screwed the front screw in a bit too far.. I heard a bit of a noise and immediately stopped and unscrewed it a bit.

Then a few minutes later I got my face close to the light so that I could heard the fan (very quiet by the way) and the light shocked my upper lip!! It felt like it came from the screw...

 

[6Speed]

hmm I'm not sure about that one. the case only accepts a certain length screw but I can't imagine hand tightening it would cause the screw (especially these that are flat tipped) to break through any insulating pieces to touch a "hot" surface?

are u sure it shocked you - or could it have been static electricity from walkin around on carpet with socks!?

what happens if you touch the screw with your finger?

 

[E.intheC]

It definitely felt like a shock. It could have been static (I hope that's what it was anyway). I ended up going to a big box store that day and buying the smaller screws for the light. All is fine now.

 

[thegrun]

Here is the bracket i made to mount my SOL Blue to a 1" EMT Conduit:

 

[Blitzburggirl]

a bit off topic, but.. on topic (I think) LMAO I've had an AI SOL and a mounting rail etc since January or February, but haven't put it over my 60 cube.

The stinkin feet on the mounting rail (I really don't want to hang it from my ceiling) has super short feet and, on a rimless tank (my 60 looks like your tank) is, in my opinion, a little to close for comfort to the water.

Anyway, I wonder, would those mounting arms work with a SOL? Hmmmm

 

[6Speed]

I think it is possible they could be made to work but I don't think the regular Sol's have screw holes in the place to match up with the slots on the nano hanger.

 

[Coral Reefer TX]

6speed,
Love the clean look! Did you drill a larger hole at the bend of the arm for the power cord or controller cord to properly fit through? If so any drilling advice?

I've got the ai nano light and love it but haven't modded the arm yet.

 

[reef bloke]

Why are peeps screwing the light tight to the bracket, the spacing is purposely there to allow maximum air channelling through the fan. Bolting them close reduces air flow and builds heat especially once you get some dust in there after a few months.