Diy LED hanging

jsanchez · Aug 23, 2014

So I ordered the MakersLed kit so I can DIY my own lighting for my nano tank. It wasnt till after i placed the order and the items arrived that I realized i need a way to hang the dang light over my aquarium.... I STRONGLY prefer not to hang the lights from the ceiling, so does anyone know of any tank/stand mounting kit that would work out? I've seen kits but they're for the AI nano or RMR system.

pickupman66 · Aug 23, 2014

I made mine. Granted it's not for a diy but u may get an idea.

mfinn · Aug 23, 2014

Here's mine.

pickupman66 · Aug 23, 2014

Mfinn... looks very familiar.

mfinn · Aug 23, 2014

pickupman66 said:
Mfinn... looks very familiar.

I was thinking that myself. :)

jsanchez · Aug 23, 2014

So how are these set up? Metal block drilled into stand and a metal peice curved to desired angle?

pickupman66 · Aug 23, 2014

I used 1" square for the upright. Drilled so it's adjustable. Then used 1" wide bar and I just bent it to work.

mfinn · Aug 24, 2014

Mine is a 2 part also. The base part is bolted to my wood stand and the top part is bolted to the base part.
I made mine in 2 pieces so it can be raised or lowered.

ryleary · Jan 27, 2015

pickupman66 said:
I used 1" square for the upright. Drilled so it's adjustable. Then used 1" wide bar and I just bent it to work.

whats the easiest way to ben aluminum at a 45 like that?

pickupman66 · Jan 30, 2015

I used a Bench vise and heated the bar up with a hand held torch. this allowed it to bend fairly easily

mfinn · Jan 30, 2015

On mine, my son-in-law used a tool that was made specifically for bending flat stock.

The original idea I got mine came from a guy who made a led light mount from 2" aluminum flat bar, but he made his into a curve, instead of sharp angles.
I asked him how he did his and he said he used a butane torch and the slats in his porch railing.