DIY mount for Kessil A360X

[skywelker]

I run a sumpless system on a rimmed tank so I made a quick and cheap mount for my new Kessils as none of the factory mounting options would work for me. It was a pretty easy project and all in all probably cost around $30, but could be more or less depending on the size of your tank. This was for a standard 75 gallon.

I picked up the following from Lowe's to start:
(2) pieces of aluminum u-channel
(1) piece of aluminum angle iron
(1) pack of 2.5" corner braces
(1) pack of t-brackets

You'll also need:
Drill/Drill Bits
Screwdriver
Nut Driver
Steel Wool or Rustoleum Paint
Hacksaw
Screws/Nuts/Washers (I used half inch #10 screws)
Reamer (optional)

Here is the (mostly) finished project. I still have to zip tie down the wires on the right. This is a crappy photo at 50% intensity/50% color, it does not look this blue in person.

 

[skywelker]

I started by cutting the piece to length. One piece of the u-channel does not need to be cut if you have a 4 foot tank like I do. I cut (2) 6" pieces of the u-channel and (2) 6" pieces of the angle iron for the sides. This left the LEDs themselves approximately 4" from the surface of the water. These dimensions can obviously be changed for your preference. Drill holes to attach the brackets with the screws, nuts, and washers.

 

[skywelker]

Next I polished the whole things with steel wool and drilled mounting holes for the lights. I used the main hanging mount hole on each Kessil to suspend them. I was originally planning on painting it black, but liked the aluminum look more than I thought I would. If I had to do it over again I would have spent a little more time at the hardware store finding the piece of u-channel with the least amount of scratches.

 

[skywelker]

Quick test fit:

 

[skywelker]

All that was left to do was drill a few holes for zip ties and run the wires through the u-channel

 

[skywelker]

Pretty happy with the results. Like I said this was a 75g tank. If you went any longer you might need a support in the middle, especially as you started adding more lights.

 

[JoshF7]

Cool. I did essentially the same thing but painted it black (be sure to use an etching primer first) and then chose to hang it all instead of set on the sides so I can adjust heights easier if needed in the future.

 

[skywelker]

Cool. I did essentially the same thing but painted it black (be sure to use an etching primer first) and then chose to hang it all instead of set on the sides so I can adjust heights easier if needed in the future.

Nice. I would have hung as well if it was an option but unfortunately it was not. Good call on the primer, I figured if I change my mind I could always paint it black but if I painted it first it would tough to scrape it all off if I didn't like it.

 

[Ranjib]

Very nice :-), thank you for sharing

 

[skywelker]

Very nice :), thank you for sharing

No problem at all, I've learned a ton from here so hopefully this helps someone else out :)

 

[FlamingGrapes]

Thanks for sharing! Just what I was looking for!

 

[skywelker]

Awesome, I'm glad it helped you out!!

 

[Ross Petersen]

Cool. I did essentially the same thing but painted it black (be sure to use an etching primer first) and then chose to hang it all instead of set on the sides so I can adjust heights easier if needed in the future.

Hey there. Can I ask what you hung the kessil a360x pucks with? Thanks, Ross

 

[skywelker]

Hey there. Can I ask what you hung the kessil a360x pucks with? Thanks, Ross

Hey Ross! Sorry for the late reply. The A360X actually comes with a little eyelet screw in the center of the light that i believe is for hanging them. I simply used this screw to attach to a hole I drilled in the mounting bar. Hope this helps!

 

[ALReefguy]

I run a sumpless system on a rimmed tank so I made a quick and cheap mount for my new Kessils as none of the factory mounting options would work for me. It was a pretty easy project and all in all probably cost around $30, but could be more or less depending on the size of your tank. This was for a standard 75 gallon.

I picked up the following from Lowe's to start:
(2) pieces of aluminum u-channel
(1) piece of aluminum angle iron
(1) pack of 2.5" corner braces
(1) pack of t-brackets

You'll also need:
Drill/Drill Bits
Screwdriver
Nut Driver
Steel Wool or Rustoleum Paint
Hacksaw
Screws/Nuts/Washers (I used half inch #10 screws)
Reamer (optional)

Here is the (mostly) finished project. I still have to zip tie down the wires on the right. This is a crappy photo at 50% intensity/50% color, it does not look this blue in person.

how many lights would this hold? I need to mount 3-5 overtop of my 300 gallon and the glass is too thick (at top with bracing) for goosenecks