DIY PVC Light rack for my 110 gallon cube

[jjk_reef00]

Posting my beginning stages of my pvc light rack...

[EBOLII]

I don't see anything...............

[jjk_reef00]

Finished Product Shown, details to follow...
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/205675Finished_ProductDSCN0356_450x350.jpg

[jjk_reef00]

Sorry, I had to learn how to post images.
I am new to reefing and this is my 1st thread ...

[jjk_reef00]

Some background info on my project.
Most people typically hang the light directly from the ceiling.
I rent and my roommate / landlord is already fed up with all my fish tanks, so he definitely wouldn't appreciate holes in the ceiling.

My tank dimensions are LxWxH 30x30x36 inches

The light is a aquamedic 24" light. a 250watt metal halide and 2 t5 antics (I think antics, the blue ones right?)

[jjk_reef00]

So my tank has about a 4" rim all around the top of the tank.
The overflow is in the back left corner.

I tested the weight of the light with 1/2 inch PVC but the PVC showed some bending that I wasn't comfortable. I then decided to go with 1" pvc for more light stability and a better base.

[jjk_reef00]

While making this I wanted something that would be one unit. (I didn't want to worry about one side of my stand falling off of the tank. A single unit seemed safer and more stable. )

I decided to make a square PVC connection to use as a base so it would run all around the tank (see pic below).

I decided for the base I wanted at least 2 connecting support points on each side of the tank.


By support points I mean places where the pvc rest on top of the acrylic. (Acrylic is 1" thick)

For simplicity I am using PVC T-connectors to rest on the tank. I will have 2 PVC T-connectors on each side of the tank. (8 total T's)

Below I am measuring out the PVC and trying to find stable places for the T-connectors.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/20567502_-_Checking_Rim_of_Tank_.jpg

[jjk_reef00]

To raise the light above the tank I use a cross connector.
The connector also provides more support for the stand to rest on top of the tank.


Cross connector shown below between the two T-connectors:

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/20567503_-_Cross_Connector_.jpg

[jjk_reef00]

Make sure the light will fit between the stand:

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/20567504a_light_fits_between_the_stand.jpg

[jjk_reef00]

After making sure the sizes are right I used PVC cement to hold the PVC box in place.

I cemented everything except the two center pvc pipes on the front of the tank and the back of the tank. (Just in case I want to take it apart for any reason)

The base of the stand was very sturdy after constructed.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/20567504_-_Seal_the_Base_with_PVC_cement.jpg

[jjk_reef00]

Just a note:
I didn't cement anything to the tank itself. The PVC base just rests on the acrylic.

Also I would recommend you let the cement completely dry before placing the base on top of your tank.

[jjk_reef00]

Here is a tank pic, I couldn't resist :)

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/20567505_-_Tank_Pic_For_Update.jpg

[jjk_reef00]

To Raise the light I am going to use PVC repair coupling to provide flexibility in raising/ lowering the light when needed.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/20567506_PVC_Repair_Coupling_1.jpg

[jjk_reef00]

I can adjust my lights up and down about 4" with this coupling.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/20567507_PVC_Reapair_Coupling.jpg

[jjk_reef00]

I can adjust the height more by interchanging the piece of PVC that connects from the T-connector into the coupling.

Note I didn't cement that piece in case I wanted to adjust the lights.

The stand is very sturdy without the cement.

[jjk_reef00]

Now connect the light to a piece of PVC:

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/20567508_-_Scew.jpg

[jjk_reef00]

Screw the PVC into the light


http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/20567509_-_Screw.jpg

[jjk_reef00]

PVC is now connected to the light.
I didn't cement the PVC between the two screws for 2 reasons:

1.) The screws make sure the pvc doesn't come loose
2.) I can twist the middle pvc to change how the light sits (more on this later, or pm me for a better explanation)


http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/20567510_-_Screw.jpg

[jjk_reef00]

Almost all of the pvc I used was scraps from old projects, that is why it is so dirty.

[jjk_reef00]

A 'Y' made from pvc will hold the light in place

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/20567511_-_Y_connect.jpg

[jjk_reef00]

Need to cement this piece to make sure it stays in place.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/20567512_-_Y_connect.jpg

[jjk_reef00]

Try it out

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/20567513_-_Try_it_out.jpg

[jjk_reef00]

The light sits about 10" above the water and I am not having any problem with heat.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/205675Finished_ProductDSCN0356_450x350.jpg

[jjk_reef00]

I could have used the hanging kit and raised the pvc bar but I didn't want it to be flimsy.

[jjk_reef00]

I like the 'Y' because I can slide the light to the front of the 'Y'/tank and have a lot of room in the back, or I can slide the light to the back of the tank and work in the front.

I did some major aquascaping this afternoon and I didn't even have to take the light off of the tank.

[jjk_reef00]

I would advise anyone to keep the 'Y' shorter than the two outer T-connectors for stability.

Or you could replace the T-connectors with cross connectors. I didn't want to do that because I would have to adjust 4 pieces (instead of 2) if I wanted to adjust the height of the light.

[jjk_reef00]

Now that I see the tank with a 250 watt mh, I want to upgrade to 400;)