South City
New member
I'm still in the planning and acquisition phase for my 180 gallon build. Well, more planning than acquiring since I finally have nearly all the equipment and supplies in place after buying the tank last month.
The one thing I can't figure out is how I want to mount 4 OceanRevive T247's along with an Apex moon light setup and a few fans over the tank. I really don't like the look of enclosed canopies that sit right on top. I like to look down into the tank and see the surface of the water as I walk by. I'm also seriously considering having my rock work break the surface of the water. I also know that I won't like just hanging the lights over the tank with cables coming down from the ceiling. The wall behind the tank isn't well suited for mounting anything serious to it either.
I want to enclose the lights in an open canopy design and hang it over the surface of the water. The first picture below from someone else's build is sort of what I'm looking for. The only difference being that I want to hang the open canopy over the water off of a L bracket and not dangle it from ceiling on wire or chains. I'm thinking of 3 or 4 L brackets that attach to the back of the stand that come out over the surface of the water where I can attach the canopy. I've drawn a diagram and included it below.
What I can't figure out is what would be the best materials to use to make those very long L brackets or if something may be available to purchase off the shelf. Can anyone suggest a source for those mounting brackets or materials that I can put together to build them? I figure they'll need to support about 25 to 35 pounds of canopy and light fixtures.
I'd also be open for any other suggestions for a way to hang my lights over the surface with a clean & neat appearance without using a sit on the top canopy or hanging something from the ceiling.
The one thing I can't figure out is how I want to mount 4 OceanRevive T247's along with an Apex moon light setup and a few fans over the tank. I really don't like the look of enclosed canopies that sit right on top. I like to look down into the tank and see the surface of the water as I walk by. I'm also seriously considering having my rock work break the surface of the water. I also know that I won't like just hanging the lights over the tank with cables coming down from the ceiling. The wall behind the tank isn't well suited for mounting anything serious to it either.
I want to enclose the lights in an open canopy design and hang it over the surface of the water. The first picture below from someone else's build is sort of what I'm looking for. The only difference being that I want to hang the open canopy over the water off of a L bracket and not dangle it from ceiling on wire or chains. I'm thinking of 3 or 4 L brackets that attach to the back of the stand that come out over the surface of the water where I can attach the canopy. I've drawn a diagram and included it below.
What I can't figure out is what would be the best materials to use to make those very long L brackets or if something may be available to purchase off the shelf. Can anyone suggest a source for those mounting brackets or materials that I can put together to build them? I figure they'll need to support about 25 to 35 pounds of canopy and light fixtures.
I'd also be open for any other suggestions for a way to hang my lights over the surface with a clean & neat appearance without using a sit on the top canopy or hanging something from the ceiling.
