ATI Straton X - Defective On-Tank Mount

[slingfox]

I currently have two ATI Straton X over my 5 ft reef tank. I recently purchased a third unit to further improve coverage and so I can run the lights at lower intensity. Unfortunately, while testing mounting the new fixture the on tank mount from ATI cracked. Thankfully I was nearby and heard the cracking sound so I was able to remove the mount before the lighting unit tipped over and was damaged.

It is clear that the 3D printed on tank mount design sucks. I hope the replacement unit I expect to get does not fail within the first hour of installation! Several early adopters have had their Straton X fall into their tank due to the on tank mount failure.

I am now going through the replacement process with @TopShelfAquatics . Not sure if they will sent me a replacement or if I need to take the issue up with ATI. I am certain this is not user error since I have had two other ATI Straton X on my tank since they were first made available in the US earlier this year. Picture of the defective on tank mount below:

 

[slingfox]

Top Shelf Sending a replacement. Great customer service!

 

[RoanokeReef]

Is there a new style mount or are they all the same ? Glad you caught it.

 

[mfinn]

I believe there was another thread about this issue recently.

 

[slingfox]

Is there a new style mount or are they all the same ? Glad you caught it.

The mount I got two days ago and mounted to my tank yesterday looks identical to the mounts that went out with the first batch of ATI Straton X when it launched in Spring. There is at least one key difference: The two large black plastic screws that stick out into the tank seem to be slightly longer than the old ones. I am not sure why. I have not done a side-by-side comparison of each part but aesthetically they look the same.

One thing I will do differently when I get the replacement mount: I will tighten the mounting screws by hand only. The problem with the 3D print mount is you can theoretically crack the mounting screws if you tighten the screw too much if you use an Allen bit wrench.

This is a non-issue for other mounting platforms where you have plastic screws going into metal mounts which compress a glass aquarium rim. In contrast, the ATI Straton X mount setup is plastic screws into plastic 3D printed bracket onto a glass aquarium rim. With this setup if you tighten too much the piece which will crack is the plastic 3D printed mount since it is much more brittle than aquarium glass or metal.

One key shortcoming with the ATI Straton X is it comes with basically zero directions. The only thing provided is a series of pictures with no text explanation of what to do or not do. My theory is that the mount failures are due to higher brittleness of the 3D printed material relative to traditional metal lighting mount systems. If you tighten the screws “too much” on the Straton X mount or even if you bump into the light when doing maintenance and cause the mount to flex, there is risk of the mount cracking.

Given the several reported cases of the Straton X tank mounts cracking and lights falling into the aquarium, I test mounted the new unit since I did not know whether I would get a defective mount or not. Thankfully, I did that since I heard a cracking sound during the first few minutes of the mounts sitting on the test structure. Thankfully no such mount failure issues either the first two units I purchased in the Spring.

 

[RoanokeReef]

The mount I got two days ago and mounted to my tank yesterday looks identical to the mounts that went out with the first batch of ATI Straton X when it launched in Spring. There is at least one key difference: The two large black plastic screws that stick out into the tank seem to be slightly longer than the old ones. I am not sure why. I have not done a side-by-side comparison of each part but aesthetically they look the same.

One thing I will do differently when I get the replacement mount: I will tighten the mounting screws by hand only. The problem with the 3D print mount is you can theoretically crack the mounting screws if you tighten the screw too much if you use an Allen bit wrench.

This is a non-issue for other mounting platforms where you have plastic screws going into metal mounts which compress a glass aquarium rim. In contrast, the ATI Straton X mount setup is plastic screws into plastic 3D printed bracket onto a glass aquarium rim. With this setup if you tighten too much the piece which will crack is the plastic 3D printed mount since it is much more brittle than aquarium glass or metal. Given the several reported cases of the Straton X tank mounts cracking and lights falling into the aquarium, I test mounted the new unit. Thankfully I did that since I heard a cracking sound during the first few minutes of the mounts sitting on the test structure.

Thanks for the explanation. I'm getting ready to order but may just hang it now.

 

[slingfox]

Thanks for the explanation. I'm getting ready to order but may just hang it now.

I still prefer the on/tank mount since that is one of the primary reason I purchased the Straton X. I think the on tank mount can work. Just do not over tighten the screws or you may put too much pressure on the plastic 3D plastic. That could lead to cracking. My first two units have been on my tank for over half a year now and no issues. I will make sure to just hand tighten the two large screws which stick into the tank since the pictures above show that it is the 3D printed plastic which is brittle so need to reduce unnecessary compressive pressure. This is a non-issue with metal but seems to be an issue with the 3D printed plastic.