canadianeh
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- Joined
- Feb 28, 2017
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Check out my build thread (link on my signature for more pictures)
I use 100% parts from 80/20 aluminum. I designed it with minimalist thinking and I want less material but strong enough for my application.
The tank is Red Sea Reefer 250 and the length of the extrusion parallel to the tank is the same length as the tank. The arms is 16” long. The good thing about my design is I can slight the arms left to right and the lights back and forth easily. The downside is I cannot adjust the height of the lights. I set the height dead on at 9” from the water surface. BRS recommended 8" from the water surface on 4' long tank, and they didn't see much improvement at 9" so pretty much almost the same.
I drilled a hole centre on the Gen 5 bracket and I used stainless steel fender washers on both side of the brackets to distribute the stress (if there is any) and to reinforce the holes.
Ecotech did not provide any screws to attach the x-bracket to the lights. Even if you buy only the x-bracket kit, it doesn’t come with it. It only comes with black screws and washer to hang the lights using wire. So I had to go to local hardware store and was able to find some screws that fit. I am using Holman M5-0.8 x 10 machine screws. It is a tiny bit too long so I am using the black washer that comes with the x-bracket kit (to hang using wire) and now they fit perfectly.
I am able to hide the cables by tucking them into the extrusion channel
Finish product
The Horizontal bar is screwed onto two studs on the wall.
The two 16” arms are supported by three corner brackets on sides and bottom.
The deflection on end load with 3 lbs weight is 0.0107” so almost practically nothing.
I use 100% parts from 80/20 aluminum. I designed it with minimalist thinking and I want less material but strong enough for my application.
The tank is Red Sea Reefer 250 and the length of the extrusion parallel to the tank is the same length as the tank. The arms is 16” long. The good thing about my design is I can slight the arms left to right and the lights back and forth easily. The downside is I cannot adjust the height of the lights. I set the height dead on at 9” from the water surface. BRS recommended 8" from the water surface on 4' long tank, and they didn't see much improvement at 9" so pretty much almost the same.
I drilled a hole centre on the Gen 5 bracket and I used stainless steel fender washers on both side of the brackets to distribute the stress (if there is any) and to reinforce the holes.
Ecotech did not provide any screws to attach the x-bracket to the lights. Even if you buy only the x-bracket kit, it doesn’t come with it. It only comes with black screws and washer to hang the lights using wire. So I had to go to local hardware store and was able to find some screws that fit. I am using Holman M5-0.8 x 10 machine screws. It is a tiny bit too long so I am using the black washer that comes with the x-bracket kit (to hang using wire) and now they fit perfectly.
I am able to hide the cables by tucking them into the extrusion channel
Finish product
The Horizontal bar is screwed onto two studs on the wall.
The two 16” arms are supported by three corner brackets on sides and bottom.
The deflection on end load with 3 lbs weight is 0.0107” so almost practically nothing.
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