200G IM EXT (First tank ever)

[vittpsu21]

Yes, the extensions replace the short piece the hanger comes with. I skipped the plastic piece and screwed the metal bracket to the wall

Yeah this is what I figured and was also my plan, just might have to use a hammer drill myself to get through the concrete wall behind maybe

 

[Grallster]

Have you thought about possibly some L angle bracket mounted to the soffit? Or is that heating duct?

 

[vittpsu21]

Have you thought about possibly some L angle bracket mounted to the soffit? Or is that heating duct?

yeah that is framing with drywall around the duct :( I think I can make your method work FWIW but I am slightly worried about getting through the drywall/concrete so that the tapcons can hold the weight if that makes sense

 

[Grallster]

Yeah it makes sense. You could also put up a stringer and mount to that.

 

[vittpsu21]

Alright I’ve landed on a solution… I am going to use a 2x4 or the like behind the tank and then just like I did with miter fence make a lip that exceeds up off the 2x4 to use the mounts again! This way they can slide and adjust as needed and will also have a bit more coverage since off the wall to see if I will indeed still need the extenders

 

[vittpsu21]

My above method should make getting tapcons in easier to ensure stability as well as make adding a third light easier if I so choose

 

[vittpsu21]

Yeah it makes sense. You could also put up a stringer and mount to that.

I was looking at their hanging kits tbh and I think I could probably also make those work if I really need to

 

[Grallster]

Yeah. Pretty much the same as using a stringer. You can even measure it out and mount the middle bracket before you install it on the wall.

 

[vittpsu21]

Well this is where I ended, pocket screws are strong too so I think this will work and I can slide the holder as needed and gains me about 3”

 

[vittpsu21]

Only thing I’ve found when trying to mount is these screws go too far to tighten down, these are plastic screws it seems like so maybe I just cut them shorter to work, haven't decided yet

 

[vittpsu21]

Welp, got it mounted and it looked like it was going to be good but the tapcons couldn’t seem to click into whatever is behind the sheetrock(concrete I think?) despite me hammer drilling through first. When I put any weight on it, it started to pull the 2x4 portion out so I don’t think I trust that back to the drawing board though hanging kit is looking more likely if possible

 

[JumboShrimp]

Keep the progress-photos coming... we live for those.

 

[vittpsu21]

Keep the progress-photos coming... we live for those.

Current progress is just holed behind the tank where the 2x4 was mounted sadly

 

[vittpsu21]

Unrelated to the lights while following this guide --- here is my results

Quick Guide to Fishless Cycling | DrTim's Aquatics

Quick Guide to Fishless Cycling with One & Only There are many opinions about how to fishless cycle your aquarium. But they normally just confuse readers and generate more questions than answers. Below is an article explaining the process and a couple of ways to fishless cycle, which we...

www.drtimsaquatics.com

8/6 - used one and only + ghost feed
8/7 - 1.49 Ammon 0 ppm Nitrite
8/8 - did nothing because it was not below 1
8/9 - 0.10 Ammon 0ppm Nitrite (seems fast but maybe live rock doing its job in sump?)

 

[vittpsu21]

Holding on the wall and 2x4 but sagging a bit more than I would like with the plywood so I need to make some adjustment at the top to assist perhaps with weight. I also think I will need the longer arms for coverage

 

[vittpsu21]

The more I look at it I think the sags coming from the mount screws on the wood since I had to cut them down to make them shorter

 

[Kasrift]

Just get the AI HMS mounting system and put it on the eurobrace running lengthwise. I have the 200im peninsula and that is what I did.

 

[vittpsu21]

Just get the AI HMS mounting system and put it on the eurobrace running lengthwise. I have the 200im peninsula and that is what I did.

Oh I’ll have to look at this!

 

[Kasrift]

Oh I’ll have to look at this!

I had a hard time finding a lighting solution too. I landed on the Ai HMS rails for 72". It "rests" on the ledge so it fits eurobrace.

It is sturdy enough. I plan on building a canopy to hide the mounting system, but my 200g IM ext has only had lights on for about 2.5 weeks as it is a new setup as well.

 

[vittpsu21]

Oh I’ll have to look at this!

I had a hard time finding a lighting solution too. I landed on the Ai HMS rails for 72". It "rests" on the ledge so it fits eurobrace.

It is sturdy enough. I plan on building a canopy to hide the mounting system, but my 200g IM ext has only had lights on for about 2.5 weeks as it is a new setup as well.

And you have the same kessel lights at the top hooked up or? At the very least my current is working and sturdy have pulled at the 2x4 a lot and it’s not moving the sag also gives me some more distance front to back which isn’t the worst lol