light mounting for an 8 ft tank

[gorillach]

I am looking for light mounting suggestions for an 8x2x2 tank. Acrylic tank, center bracing with 4 openings, no canopy. I plan to have softies/LPS, and some fish. It is a used tank and I am not experienced. So I am going for affordable suggestions, ideally one piece across 8ft and can position lights directly on top of the openings.

The closest I found is EcoTech RMS 90.5 Inch Track but there was review of it bowed in the middle.

 

[scuzy]

Go 80/20 aluminum have it mounted to stand .




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[sfdan]

This completely depends on what type of lights you want to use, but for example if you wanted to use T5s, you could easily make a simple frame of 2x4s, with crossbeams where the T5s mount, then hang that from the ceiling. The 3 2x4s would cost you about $10.

This guy on youtube made a similar type of setup (only 4 feet long but the same principle): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xMWOjzWGuk

Alternatively, you could put crossbeams right in the middle of the openings and mount whatever LEDs you want.

Paint the whole setup whatever color you want and you got yourself a very inexpensive 8 foot light mount.

80/20 is also a good choice, will look nicer out of the box and is a bit lighter, but depending on how you are mounting it the extra weight probably won't really matter. Still though a great option, but not as cheap as wood.

 

[D-Nak]

You can buy two of these then fill in the center with LEDs of your choice when you have the time and money:

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/48-hybrid-t5ho-4x54w-fixture-with-led-mounting-system-aquatic-life.html

 

[gorillach]

These are good ideas, thanks! I will sure look into them.

To save utility and be easy on acrylic/carbonate (I plan to cover openings with lids to minimize evap. Yes, I am frugal and lazy...), I am leaning to LED lights. What should I be looking at?