Hanging a light fixture (wire? cable ties?)

[Gordonious]

I am trying to figure out the best way to hang a lighting fixture over a tank. I had originally built side supports so the hood would rest on the tank, but now there is support above it I would prefer to hang it from. Actually I had planned on stringing cable ties together and my gf was a little worried about doing it that way so she pushed me to ask for more opinions on a "safer" way to do it.
This will also be the first thing you see when you come in my fish room so it probably wouldn't hurt to have something better looking anyways. What would you use? String? Clothes hangers? Chains that won't rust?

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As you can see three T5 have been neatly mounted on the boards and are to be hung above the 30g tank in the picture.

 

[a1amap]

Home depot and lowes have coated wire that will work well. You wont need a very thick cable as T5 are pretty light. They cut buy the foot so figure how much you need before you go.

 

[Gordonious]

What took you so long Al! That response took 5 minutes! Sounds like a good idea though.

 

[davidandliz]

cant see the pic

 

[Gordonious]

Oops. Thanks for letting me know. They show up on my computer didn't realize they wouldn't for other people.

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Nothing really much to see. I'm headed out in a couple minutes to find this stuff.

 

[Gordonious]

Hum... that brings up the next question. How high should T5 bulbs be off the water?

 

[kaptken]

Hmmm, I got spools of nylon coated SS solid and twisted wire for shark fishing hook leads. and the little sleave crimps and crimping pliers to fasten the ends. 40 or 60 pound test should be more than enough. If 200 pound sharks I used to catch cant break or chew through them, I doubt your T5 rack can.

 

[gotasplinter]

Iv used flower pot chain in the past and didnt have any problems with rusting, and hung it to the ceiling with flower pot hangers the lag bolt kind. But i like the idea kaptken has with the fishing line leads might be harder to see kinda hidden. Would like to see some pics of what you came up with.

Lee

 

[kaptken]

yeah actually that light vinyl coated link chain would be good too. you can adjust the height by moving it up or down a few links on the overhead hook or caribiner.

 

[a1amap]

What its not up yet???

 

[Gordonious]

It's still not up! When I purchased the chain the guy at the store recommended something to attach the chain to the wood. It looks like it would work well, but requires a hammer to put it into place where I want to attach it and I can't fit a hammer in the spot or a screw driver.

I just have to go back to lowes today and figure out what else I can use. I always run into things that make a 5 minute project turn into a couple of weeks before it gets done.

 

[kaptken]

OK, that settles it, We are getting a half a dozen guys to come over there, stand around drinking beer and make random S.W.A.G. suggestions as to just how you can fasten this light fixture.

No Problem!

 

[Gordonious]

It's up, it's up. Just been too busy the last couple nights to post pictures or anything. There on my other computer, I'll get them up sometime this weekend. Meanwhile I've got to get this tank filled.