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Jessy

Jessy's Candyshop Cubed - The Retro Into A Pendant Plan

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by
Jessy
, 10-11-2010 at 03:18 AM (2889 Views)
So I'm trying to think of the best way to hang my lighting over my tank. I have this sexy tank, and the only lighting I have for it is a 36 retrofit LED and I'll be getting a couple stunner strips to supplement. It seems a shame to build a traditional canopy for it. So I've concocted an idea for a floating canopy/pendant enclosure for it instead. I have been telling myself that I am NOT going to rush this set up. I've always jumped to putting water in too fast and regretting it later. For either the fact that I cant' get behind the tank anymore, or that I wanted to do something different inside the tank. So before I can figure out the sump/skimmer/fuge design, I need to get this light/arm hung and in place on the back of the stand.

The plan is to hang it from a single DIY light arm (will post pics when I make this) with these tension retractable pulleys connected to the pendant by eye hooks. This way I can both raise and lower the light or swing it to one side completely for maintenance.

Side cross-section view
Click image for larger version Name: light2.jpg Views: 589 Size: 146.5 KB ID: 2900


I'm going to create a horizontal surface for the lights to drop into/connect to. I'm thinking this surface should be 1/4" thick to provide enough stability to prevent warping from the heat of the lights. Perpendicular to the outer edges will be a 3.5" border material to hide the light and create the face of the pendant.

Top-Down View
Click image for larger version Name: light.jpg Views: 577 Size: 196.8 KB ID: 2901


I don't know what to make this out of yet. My options that I'm aware of are:
--Black acrylic if I want that shiny look
--Clear acrylic spray panted matte black to match the rest of the stand
--Wood sanded smooth and painted matte to match the stand.

Any opinions or suggestions on the design/materials?

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Categories
‎ Lighting , ‎ DIY projects

Comments

  1. melev's Avatar
    Build a mock up and try it out for a bit to get a feel for if you like it.
  2. Hat39406's Avatar
    I believe - "Clear acrylic spray panted matte black to match the rest of the stand" sounds great, but what Marc said sounds good. ;-)
  3. kileysmama's Avatar
    One thing to keep in mind is balance. We had a automated canopy on our last tank that was suspended by 2 wires (one on either end) and moved up and down with a linear actuator. It worked great except for the fact that when it was anything but completely down on top of the tank, it hung crooked. The wires were centered on it, but it was ever so slightly out of balance. A solution would have been to have support at all for corners. Those sunlifts only support 22lbs. At Macna there was a different style that were similar to a shade or miniblind that could support alot more, I don't recall what they were called though. I like the idea, and my vote goes to the wood sanded smooth and painted or stained to match the stand.
  4. Alaska_Phil's Avatar
    Nice, I like it. I assume you'll have cables at each end to keep it from spinning?
  5. Jessy's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by kileysmama
    One thing to keep in mind is balance. We had a automated canopy on our last tank that was suspended by 2 wires (one on either end) and moved up and down with a linear actuator. It worked great except for the fact that when it was anything but completely down on top of the tank, it hung crooked. The wires were centered on it, but it was ever so slightly out of balance. A solution would have been to have support at all for corners. Those sunlifts only support 22lbs. At Macna there was a different style that were similar to a shade or miniblind that could support alot more, I don't recall what they were called though. I like the idea, and my vote goes to the wood sanded smooth and painted or stained to match the stand.
    I'm going to support the four corners with two triangles like the one pictured here. I just didn't draw both.