Light Mounting Options for 60"x24"x24" Reef

[Wandering Albatross]

Good afternoon all, I just tested my new light for my FOWLR, expecting it to be low par, but it puts out INSANE par for the cost. Because of this, I want to add at least one to my 2 nicrews over my reef tank. Problem is, while I can manage to weasel it over the rim on the 50g it was intended for, the mounting bracket is not compatible with my eurobrace. That leaves me using some kind of universal mounting bar and eurobrace-compatible mounting arms, or trying to build a wooden frame to slide behind the tank that either the lights can hang from, or their included mounting arm and bracket can affix to. Aside of me not wanting to/being in the position to, they can't hang directly from the ceiling without being off-center.

Aquarium Light- 140W Reef Light Wide Coverage Sunrise Sunset Moonlight Saltwater Lights for Coral with Master Slave Group Control & Timer & Screen (amazon)​

Anyone have a blueprint of a diy wooden frame that the lights could be mounted to separately? I have about 3" between the 150g and the wall behind it, slightly more for the 50g, so it'd have to fit in that, or be more like a light bar going from end to end where multiple lights could be hung with cable side by side.

 

[exnisstech]

Using 80 20 / tee slot aluminium stock would probably be better than wood and its like tinker toys for adults.
A fellow member did all the design work and I just did the assembly. Here is what I ended up with. Mine is mounted to the stand but it could be modified to mount to the wall behind the stand.

 

[Wandering Albatross]

Using 80 20 / tee slot aluminium stock would probably be better than wood and its like tinker toys for adults.
A fellow member did all the design work and I just did the assembly. Here is what I ended up with. Mine is mounted to the stand but it could be modified to mount to the wall behind the stand.

How's it's rust resistance? How much weight can it support? It's a little hard to tell, but can the lights be raised/lowered at all, or are they fixed and that height has to be set up at the beginning? I would hypothetically cure the wood with the same waterproof stain as the stand itself. It holds up to the humidity of the open sump underneath, so it'd probably be okay over the tank itself, but I don't know if it would tolerate the heat of the lights, they get pretty warm during the day. Each light weighs roughly 6lbs. Could use wood for the base and a bar like this for the actually light fixture, but that might look funny.

Mine would have to be freestanding, it can't be mounted to the stand at this point without tearing down and moving out the entire tank. As I'd have at least 2 different types of lights, would each extended arm need to be made differently? I'm visualizing something that stands beside the tank on the short ends and comes over it like a full-length strip light. Then each light can be slid along the bar to the correct place over the tank, or several hooks drilled up into the frame where the light could use its hanging cables and be clipped on at several different heights if needed.

 

[exnisstech]

80 20 works very well in our tanks environments and it is what is used to make stands as well as light mounts. Nothing wrong with wood I just prefer the look of aluminum and the stock doesn't have to be as large as wood to support the same weight. Mine can be raised or lowered but it isn't easy. I measure par when setting up a tank and have never needed to raise or lower a light. Settings can be changed to increase or decrease intensity. I'm pretty much a set it and forget it when it comes to lights.
I don't know about weight support, deflection etc. I had someone familiar with all that do the design work.
There is so much you can do with the aluminum. I've seen light mounts that sit in the tank and span the entire length. Which sounds like something you may be looking for. There are a lot if folks here that use programs to design stuff that could probably assist if you put up a post explaining exactly what you want and use a thread title to get their attention.

 

[exnisstech]

I imagine someone could even print some mounts if needed to sit on the tank and attach the aluminum stock to.