Mounting Options for Radion XR30w

[angryurchin]

Just bought two of these for a new reef tank I am setting up.

I've seen their optional hanging kit but I have a tank with an acrylic canopy.

I was thinking of drilling 8 holes strategically in the canopy and using longer screws to get the distance right and still be able to access the controls. But I would rather use a rail system so the lights don't raise when I open the canopy lid.

Also considered using "L" brackets, 4 per light and installing plastic/silicone feet on each bracket to prevent scratching the top of the aquarium...

Any suggestions on a rail system that might work?

Thanks!

[kenghmoob]

My canopy is wood so I don't know if it will work or not. I got (4) SS eye screws & (4) SS "s" pattern hangers. I screwed the eye screws in to the wood and tied the "s" hangers onto the stock eyelet screws that came with the unit with 60lb braided fishing line. I looped the fishing line around the eyelet and the "s" hanger many times to get more strength out of the line. Once that is done, I tied approx 6-8 knots to make sure it is on tightly. Hooked the "s" hangers on the eye screw and walah, I am able to take out the Radions if the occasion would ever arise.

[mathusala]

I actually asked this awhile back and got no response but here is an idea i had:

Ok, thought I would throw this idea out there and see what you guys thought.

I have an enclosed canopy on my tank I am planning to start with 3 radions (may need more eventually and will adjust as needed)

From the research I have done there really hasn't been alot of great mounting options yet for these lights that I have seen at any rate.

The best I have seen so far is what david00061 has done above his tank:
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz79/david00061/500%20build/IMG_1555.jpg
You can follow his thread here: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2062544&page=22

I was thinking (since I dont have access to the sheetmetal and tools that it looks like he does) that I would follow his example but doing the same thing with just a plywood insert into my canopy:
http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/z371/dbaird02/lightmount.jpg

This made me think about reflection and LEDs, would I be better off painting the inside of the mounting board that holds the LEDs white to get better reflection or is there some other color/material that would help me spread the light better or is it even worth the effort?

As always I welcome your feedback and can't wait to see how you guys would handle it.

Thanks

[rgrimal]

http://www.boschrexroth-us.com/country_units/america/united_states/sub_websites/brus_dcl/Products/Aluminum_Structural_Framing/index.jsp


This is what I used. Various brackets and hardware available to make any shape frame you want and you can get screws that will mount to the radion and slide into the slots. Cuts easily with a table saw or radial saw.

[Cutch]

Rg, can you elaborate on your frame a little? Or maybe post a pic or diagram. I have looked at the site and am not sure what I may need. I have 2 radions coming to go over my 75 gallon. Thanks for all the info.

[rainmkr07]

I went to home depot and got everything I needed to install my 2 radions inside of my wooden canopy. I got 8 small eye bolts, and 8 hooks that screw directly into the radions. The total cost was under $5. And the radions can easily be unhooked to be removed for cleaning, or if you need to remove the entire canopy, etc.

[kellerexpress]

Bump, need some more ideas :)

[markgsu]

Rain you have any pics of how you have yours setup? Also what size hooks did you buy to fit the Radion.

[rainmkr07]

Rain you have any pics of how you have yours setup? Also what size hooks did you buy to fit the Radion.

I will take some photos tonight for you.

[oki_reefer]

I built a frame from 1" L aluminum and riveted it together. added a 1x2 piece of wood at each end of the canopy for the frame to rest on. i will see about getting some picture if interested.

[rainmkr07]

Here is what I did:

Pic 1. $5 worth of supplies from Home Depot:
http://www.wamas.org/forums/uploads/1329007440/gallery_2631706_3_347769.jpg (http://www.wamas.org/forums/index.php?app=gallery&module=images&img=12261)

Pic 2: Cardboard cutout for marking the canopy where to install hooks:
http://www.wamas.org/forums/uploads/1329007440/gallery_2631706_3_548950.jpg (http://www.wamas.org/forums/index.php?app=gallery&module=images&img=12263)

Pic 3: Mark the location of radions in the canopy:
http://www.wamas.org/forums/uploads/1329007440/gallery_2631706_3_60015.jpg (http://www.wamas.org/forums/index.php?app=gallery&module=images&img=12262)

Pic 4: Install them:
http://www.wamas.org/forums/uploads/1329007440/gallery_2631706_3_52234.jpg (http://www.wamas.org/forums/index.php?app=gallery&module=images&img=12264)

Pic 5: What the hooks look like:
http://www.wamas.org/forums/uploads/1329007440/gallery_2631706_3_196789.jpg (http://www.wamas.org/forums/index.php?app=gallery&module=images&img=12265)

Pic 6: Radions hanging vertically. Shows snug/strong fit:
http://www.wamas.org/forums/uploads/1329007440/gallery_2631706_3_212626.jpg (http://www.wamas.org/forums/index.php?app=gallery&module=images&img=12266)

Pic 7: Close up in canopy:
http://www.wamas.org/forums/uploads/1329007440/gallery_2631706_3_353404.jpg (http://www.wamas.org/forums/index.php?app=gallery&module=images&img=12267)

Pic 8: Tank and canopy shot:
http://www.wamas.org/forums/uploads/1329007440/gallery_2631706_3_289541.jpg (http://www.wamas.org/forums/index.php?app=gallery&module=images&img=12268)

[kellerexpress]

Got mine hung this weekend on my 57g rimless
Used 1/4" aluminum to make a bracket
http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/xx291/kellerexpress/ad1f9691.jpg
Ecotechs premium hanging kit along with diy conduit hanging arms.
http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/xx291/kellerexpress/cf88a002.jpg
http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/xx291/kellerexpress/3e59c4e1.jpg
http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/xx291/kellerexpress/cb21fb0d.jpg

http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/xx291/kellerexpress/088bac78.jpg

[rgrimal]

Sorry for late reply this is my setup over my 75G


http://i1244.photobucket.com/albums/gg561/rgrimal12/IMAG0049.jpg

http://i1244.photobucket.com/albums/gg561/rgrimal12/IMAG0048.jpg

http://i1244.photobucket.com/albums/gg561/rgrimal12/IMAG0047.jpg

[spankdog]

Rainmkr07 do you mind sharing what thread those hooks are? Thanks

[rainmkr07]

Rainmkr07 do you mind sharing what thread those hooks are? Thanks

Hey, I threw the wrappers out. I don't remember. I took my radion into home depot and tried them by hand haha. I forget how small though.

[kga943]

kellerexpress very nice setup do you like the radions

[spankdog]

I just found it. M5-0.8mm

[rainmkr07]

I just found it. M5-0.8mm

ya but i didnt use metric. i think mine were like 5/13 or 5/32 or something like that. home depot has a whole section with them.

[spankdog]

ya but i didnt use metric. i think mine were like 5/13 or 5/32 or something like that. home depot has a whole section with them.

Oh ok. I went to a few different hardware stores today and couldn't find any metric hooks or eye bolts. I don't want to cross-thread anything in there so I may just get some bolts and make a bracket.

[markgsu]

I wanted to use a fiberglass unistrut rail system, to attach the lights to the canopy. I can't seem to find the unistrut in any local stores other than in metals. I suppose you could get it powder-coated or some type of fiberglass protection on the steel itself.

[markgsu]

Alright quick update.... Radions up and installed! I took the KISS (KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID) method....

So I cut two holes in the canopy about 1/4 of an inch smaller than the radion, I took small L-Shaped pegs (like what you use to hold shelves in cabinets, and placed them around to ensure the radion would never fall in... more of a safety thing than anything else, it also keeps the lights somewhat centered over the hole.... Gotta say, I was nervious about cutting it, but it worked out REALLY GOOD! Pictures to follow tomorrow when its daylight.

[dcook]

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