Have You Ever Hung A Light Fixture

[krzyphsygy]

So I got my New ATI Fixture and need to hang it from the ceiling. I have not unwrapped the unit yet as I have been woring pretty much all the time. Tonight/tomorrow's the plan.

Heres the dilema, I have to be sure the unit is hung square and in line over the tank. How to I make sure its plum. What measurements didyou take to get it done?? Thanks

 

[dixiedog]

I used a plumb-bob. You can improvise with any small heavy weight on a string though.

 

[krzyphsygy]

I used a plumb-bob. You can improvise with any small heavy weight on a string though.

Ok, never heard of that before, but just read its history. How can this help in ensuring that the unit is hung from the ceiling straight?

The thought is that the holes will be drilled from left to right on the ceiling and be straight so that one is not in front of another 6 feet down the ceiling and the light will be centered above the tank in an even way in relation to where the tank sits with out having to move the tank to adjust.
Would the plum bob do that?

 

[krzyphsygy]

Was getting already to hang this beast and unwrapped it to find a dent on the top off the fixture from where they placed the accesories. Kinda bumbed.Waiting to hear back from vendor.

 

[James77]

It can, yes.
I honestly had better luck just very accurately measuring, down to the 32nd of an inch. I set the light on top of the tank exactly as I wanted it hanging over the tank. You could then use a plumb bob to find the dead center of where the wires would be. I just meausured- about 12 times- where that would be and put that on the ceiling.

 

[James77]

Was getting already to hang this beast and unwrapped it to find a dent on the top off the fixture from where they placed the accesories. Kinda bumbed.Waiting to hear back from vendor.

Ugh, that stinks. What a let down when you were anticipating the weekend with it. Where did you buy from?

 

[rathos]

I put my mounting hardware onto a piece of a 2x6. I then mounted the piece of 2x6 to the ceiling. This way I could make sure it was mounted into two studs but the mounting plates were flush and even.

 

[kc350twin]

Plumb bob and a tape measure is all you need. I would first measure the mounting points on the light. That will give you the width they need to be because the cables don't go out all the way to the end. I use masking tape across the tank to transcode the width and center points. Mark a "X" on the tape where the cables will hang and the hold the plumb bob on the ceiling and line it up to the "X". Mark and drill it and your done. One of mine hit a stud and the other missed. 50lbs anchors will do the trick. Is it a Sunpower or powermodule?




Kc3

 

[billdogg]

I just eyeball it, but then my wife thinks I'm some sort of savant when it comes to things like that - I can tell you the dimensions of most things to within 1/8" just by looking at it.

 

[krzyphsygy]

It can, yes.
I honestly had better luck just very accurately measuring, down to the 32nd of an inch. I set the light on top of the tank exactly as I wanted it hanging over the tank. You could then use a plumb bob to find the dead center of where the wires would be. I just meausured- about 12 times- where that would be and put that on the ceiling.

Ok, so put the fixture on top of the tank as I want it and then hold the plum bob over the center points of the fixture on the ends where it would attach to the ceiling? I should hold the plum bob to the ceiling with my hand correct? And just measure the width of the fixture?

I ordered the fixture from ReefGeek...not real happy right now with the outcome...see what happens.

 

[96p993]

Unfortunately the dent situation is quite common from Reefgeek. I have ordered 2 fixtures from them and both were dented from the hardware on the top of the light. They will reimburse you a portion of the light or have you send it in to replace. I appreciate the fact that they stand behind the problem but it really is a simple issue to take care of during packing.

I think you are on the right path with the above advice...I took a piece covered in a towel, placed the fixture exactly where I wanted it, used plumb bob, marked holes on ceiling....rest as they say is history

 

[krzyphsygy]

Plumb bob and a tape measure is all you need. I would first measure the mounting points on the light. That will give you the width they need to be because the cables don't go out all the way to the end. I use masking tape across the tank to transcode the width and center points. Mark a "X" on the tape where the cables will hang and the hold the plumb bob on the ceiling and line it up to the "X". Mark and drill it and your done. One of mine hit a stud and the other missed. 50lbs anchors will do the trick. Is it a Sunpower or powermodule?

How do you use the masking tape? Can explain it so a slow person can understand..LOL.




Kc3

 

[krzyphsygy]

Unfortunately the dent situation is quite common from Reefgeek. I have ordered 2 fixtures from them and both were dented from the hardware on the top of the light. They will reimburse you a portion of the light or have you send it in to replace. I appreciate the fact that they stand behind the problem but it really is a simple issue to take care of during packing.

I think you are on the right path with the above advice...I took a piece covered in a towel, placed the fixture exactly where I wanted it, used plumb bob, marked holes on ceiling....rest as they say is history

Thats funny you said that...thats exactly how it was damaged. The accessories were wrapped to the top of the fixture and caused the dent...they have encouraged me to keep it. I have refused. I do not want a damaged fixture on my tank....alot of time and money went in to the placement, design, look, and feel of the room it is being placed in. I tiled the floors, painted, put up chair rail, 2 new 20 amp outlets and GFCI breakers, all to put in a $700.00 damaged fixture? Sorry, not happening. Quite ticked off actually. Last night Reef Geeks e-mail gave me the feeling that the unit was damaged and they knew it prior to sending it. We will see what happens today on that!

Ok, so what do you mean you took a piece covered in a towel? So you placed the fixture resting on the top of the tank, then held the plum bob to the ceiling and kept adjusting the placement of the bob until it struck the spot on the fixture to hang from??

 

[96p993]

pretty much...With the wood across the tank I took measurements to find exactly where I wanted the light to cover the tank (this could most likey be eyeballed. I then took the hanging wire and the plumb bob to the ceiling. While moving both around I found the point where both met and were lined up perfectly, marked that spot and drilled. Make sure the mounting cable is in the middle of the fixture, this can be done by loosening the nuts on the hanging kit and picking it up...The hanging kit should center itself to almost dead center. Once you get the fixture sitting on tank I think the rest will come to you. Plumb bobs are cheap and do a great job...

 

[collie man]

I used the track from a track lighting system. also took wheels from a slider door and made rollers so i can slide the lights around the make a perfect fit.

Jeremy