How do you hang your light fixtures?

4660 Views 14 Replies 13 Participants Last post by seandelevan, Jul 23, 2012

ThatGuyWithTheFish

Discussion Starter · Jul 20, 2012

I was wondering what the best way is to hang a light fixture (Catalina 30" 1x24W). I bought the hanging kit they sold but it's... crap. I was thinking of using fishing line, but that might be hard to get even lengths while tying. Should I go for chains?

1 - 15 of 15 Posts

onekraz3

· #2 · Jul 20, 2012

I bought thin wire from lowes and wire clamp easy to adjust and dont stand out like chains.

proaudio55

· #3 · Jul 20, 2012 (Edited)

2

I just rest my fixture on the glass lid. 2 aluminum fixtures each with 4 CFL's and an LED night light. It gets hot, but that heat keeps water from condensing on the glass.

I wouldn't use fishing line unless it's the really heavy duty braided kind. Chain or cable is your best bet if you want to go with suspended lights.

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/pHosting.php?do=show&type=f&id=9924&title=april_2012c.jpg

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/pHosting.php?do=show&type=f&id=9638&title=hood_1c.jpg

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ThatGuyWithTheFish

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jul 20, 2012

^Keep in mind that the fixture weights only 3-4lbs.

Hoppy

· #5 · Jul 20, 2012

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/showthread.php?t=176119 is how I suspend my light.

sowNreap

· #6 · Jul 21, 2012

I know it's not the prettiest but I bought a package of plant pulley's like these: http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...&langId=-1&keyword=plant+pulley&storeId=10051
I like to be able to adjust the light up/down to get it out of my way when feeding or working in the tank. Unfortunately, I've found it's not an infinite adjustment. Seems to only catch about every 4" or so. I want to raise mine just 2" more but it just won't catch in that spot. I may look for a more decorative type that has a finer adjustment. But I really like being able to get it out of my way. I had it hung on chains but every time I needed to do anything in the tank I had to get the step stool out to adjust it up & down.

csmith

· #7 · Jul 21, 2012

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2009-04/diy/index.php

This was simple enough to pull off. Mine come straight out from the wall instead of that bend up top that runs the length of the tank.

flight50

· #8 · Jul 22, 2012

I have eye hooks placed on the ends of my fixture and its suspended to the ceiling via decorative chain from Home Depot to 50lb drywall anchors. Although the drywall anchors are designed for a vertical wall, mines are holding up being parallel to my tank.

Capsaicin_MFK

· #9 · Jul 23, 2012

Ceiling hangers that can swivel, and Sunlight Lifts from MarineDepot. I drilled two holes in the fixture for eye bolts.

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Nate McFin

· #10 · Jul 23, 2012

2

I put mine on an adjustable shelf to make adjusting it easy. I have really liked the design.

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sowNreap

· #11 · Jul 23, 2012

Capsaicin_MFK said:
Ceiling hangers that can swivel, and Sunlight Lifts from MarineDepot. I drilled two holes in the fixture for eye bolts.

Those look a lot better than the ones I got at Tractor Supply. LOL

Do those have infinite adjustment ... will it stop anywhere you want, or does it seem like it will only look at certain points? I really don't like that mine won't lock exactly where I want it but since it was only $7 and it does work I'll use it until I find something better.

wastedtime

· #12 · Jul 23, 2012

This is my DIY led fixture on my growout tank , I have a electrical conduit that serves as the holder and a set of wires and two ferrule/stop sets for the hanging.

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kamikazi

· #13 · Jul 23, 2012

Made THIS then worked on the aesthetics to come up with THIS. Since then the only other change I have made was to wrap the light cords like the pothos is wrapped to help hide them.

El Zilcho

· #14 · Jul 23, 2012

Flower pot hanger with DIY LED light.

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seandelevan

· #15 · Jul 23, 2012

Nate McFin said:
I put mine on an adjustable shelf to make adjusting it easy. I have really liked the design.

Genius. I like that!

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