DIY AI Blade mount help

DaveC

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Thanks, Funny how they are in stock right after I built mine!!!
The orphek arm adaptation I made is much better in the end.
I cut the clamps off it so it just rests on the edge now. It is convenient.
I can also adjust the height/angle now too.
Always happens like that ;) I do like how you can adjust the angles with yours
 

bullseyereef

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Just under 6". But I made an adjustment and attached my Primes to the brackets as well. This caused the front to have a slight tilt, but it's not very noticeable.

20230226_074807.jpg

20230226_074757.jpg
Did the blade clips come with the blade? Or did you order them separately?
 

Alsteezy1st

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Did the blade clips come with the blade? Or did you order them separately?

Mine originally came with the low profile tank mounts. I believe the 39 inch + come with the clips. I ordered the clips from BRS.

 

Bj’s Reef

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I figured it out. Extrusions are really versatile..
I just buy a 10 series to attach the arms to like it is the light. Then I add 2 blocks with m8 holes on the ends to attach on both ends of the blade. Attach the top of those blocks to the rail I made above. Wala I can move it side to side and even spin to angle it.
Can you share a picture of the mount you made. I think it would help a lot of us.
 
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Schulks

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Can you share a picture of the mount you made. I think it would help a lot of us.
I did decide to try it and I ordered the parts. I updated the thread with pictures on page 2 near the bottom in the thread.

You could connect the Blade to the orphek arms in a lot of ways but this is what I did. If I was using the orphek arms for a longer Blade light I would buy the clips from BRS instead of using the m8 mounting holes on the ends.
 
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Schulks

Schulks

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Can you share a picture of the mount you made. I think it would help a lot of us.
if the other option, with the current arms, will work for you I would go that route. The pictures look really nice but I haven't tried it and mine has it's advantages. If you need it mounted on the sides of the aquarium or if you want to be able to move the bar wherever/however high you want (as long as your lid permits) use the orphek arms. It is sturdy and works. I think it just feels a bit bulky for my 12" blade.
 
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troutbum17

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I don’t mean to pivot this thread, but it seems like there are a fair number of blade owners in this thread. Are any of you all experiencing issues with unbalanced light across the bar, or power cord wire exposure where it connects to the fixture like I’ve seen in some other threads?
 

flatlander93

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I’m wondering about this too. Obviously there are some problems with these but how widespread is something I want to know too. I really think this is the best light option for my cube. I’d get the Orphek but with a controller they will be quite expensive I think.
 

RI Aquarium

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Dan Reef

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It would be nice if we could develop a tank lid to use with the tank rest arms. The low profile is really appealing!

Maybe have 3 or 4 tank lids to add between the blades. It would facilitate maintenance as when needed we would just remove the lids and push the blades together to free up space.
 

Glowurm

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I bought a couple of these and some blade mounting clips to try out as soon as they get delivered. Might be worth a shot for some people if it works.
Genius, been looking at how i could supplement my Primes without breaking the bank and these brackets might be the answer...

Little disappointed that AI dont have better mounting options when it comes to the Primes (buyer regret)
 

NDFoz

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All the stuff I ordered got delivered today. Doesn't look too bad. Used the hardware from the Orbit brackets to attach the blade mounting clips.


20230224_171906.jpg


20230224_183932.jpg
I know this was almost two years ago. I just wanted to say thank you so much for your post and input on this! I went ahead and bout the same mount for my 12-in Blade(s) (I actually just received my 2nd Blade Grow) and it works beautifully! I went to a local hardware store to get some cable management stuff and truthfully if one didn’t look at the top you wouldn’t see wires at all.
 

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jakestgermain

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Will
I know this was almost two years ago. I just wanted to say thank you so much for your post and input on this! I went ahead and bout the same mount for my 12-in Blade(s) (I actually just received my 2nd Blade Grow) and it works beautifully! I went to a local hardware store to get some cable management stuff and truthfully if one didn’t look at the top you wouldn’t see wires at all.
will this hold 3 blades if I get two of those mounts?
 

NDFoz

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You have just the standard size not the XW, correct?
This is the one I purchased from SaltwaterAquarium.com


I know that one of the local salty only stores owner purchased a slightly more durable/thicker Orbit mount like this for the display tank he just setup. It’s maybe an extra 1/2 thickness additionally from what I have but His setup is a bit different. He has 2x 57in Grows and has ordered 2x of the new Hydra Edge 68HD’s that he plans to mount one on each mount between the two Blades.

I am seriously thinking about ordering one of the 44HD’s and yes I realize that for a 20g Cube that is MASSIVELY over powered but I really don’t like the primes due to their lens melting issue. I refuse to pay $600 for a XR15.
 

Lucid88

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Can the light mount clips be turned so that you could run the light across a pennisula tank?

Like this
1000001701.jpg
 

Freenow54

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I bought a couple of these and some blade mounting clips to try out as soon as they get delivered. Might be worth a shot for some people if it works.
I know really extra old thread but these
are out of stock are there any other sources ?
 

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