Rigid Conduit to hang ATI Powermodule?

BigRedNole · 03/06/2011, 10:41 AM

I have been trying to come up with a way to hang an ATI Powermodule when it comes in. Because the studs are off center on the tank, doing with a shelving system would be too much of a pain and finding 16" brackets is difficult locally. Hanging from the ceiling will not work because the studs there are not right and the ceiling is too high.

I saw a tank suspension system in the UK, but have not found one here in the US.

I spent about 2 hours at Lowe's this morning. It looks like I could use 1/2" Rigid Conduit. My plan would to attach it the tank stand and have the 90 degree bends about 15" above the top of the tank. I can then hang the ATI fixture from that.

Does this sound like a good plan? Does anyone else have any other ideas on a suspension system?

Toddrtrex · 03/06/2011, 10:43 AM

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2009-04/diy/index.php

BigRedNole · 03/06/2011, 04:34 PM

Thanks for that link. I saw a similar post somewhere and that is how I got the idea. I think 0.5" rigid conduit will do the trick. I am going to mount it directly to the stand because I won't be able to get it into the wall behind the tank.

kellerexpress · 03/07/2011, 02:32 AM

I too would have rather hung from the ceiling but the studs didn't line up. I built my arms for my ATI sunpower out of 3/4" conduit from HD and bent them right there in the store. I used 1/2" end caps.

SWINGRRRR · 03/07/2011, 05:58 AM

Crappy pic, but I used 1" pipe. The lights are PAR30's, but the wood fixture weighs about 8lbs.

BigRedNole · 03/07/2011, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kellerexpress

I too would have rather hung from the ceiling but the studs didn't line up. I built my arms for my ATI sunpower out of 3/4" conduit from HD and bent them right there in the store. I used 1/2" end caps.

That is exactly what I am looking at doing. Did you use 3/4" standard conduit or did you use the rigid conduit? The reason I ask is Lowe's has this rigid conduit that is much sturdier. Personally, I thought the 1/2" rigid conduit was much stronger than the 3/4" regular conduit at Home Depot.

The guy at Lowe's told my I could not bend them in the store. However, he said to buy the bender, make the bend at home or in the parking lot, and return it. He said it is ridiculous for them not to have one to rent or use at the store.

kellerexpress · 03/07/2011, 03:59 PM

I just uses the standard conduit, seems plenty strong.

AugustWest · 03/07/2011, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kellerexpress

I too would have rather hung from the ceiling but the studs didn't line up. I built my arms for my ATI sunpower out of 3/4" conduit from HD and bent them right there in the store. I used 1/2" end caps.

I'm looking to do the same thing with my Sunpower Fixture. Do you mean you bent them right there in the store or they bent them for you ?

kellerexpress · 03/08/2011, 02:46 AM

I bent them in the store, used the pipe bender and then put it back on the shelf.

BigRedNole · 03/08/2011, 05:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kellerexpress

I bent them in the store, used the pipe bender and then put it back on the shelf.

I wonder if I can pull that off at my local store. I think I am going to use the 1/2" rigid conduit. Otherwise, I have to go with the 1" conduit. I didn't feel the 3/4" conduit was sturdy enough.

yikesjason · 03/08/2011, 07:58 AM

I used to have a 4x54w t5 fixture held up with regular 1/2 conduit. I had to compensate for the spring because it gave a little under the weight. I would say stray much more to the heavy side than the light because even 1" conduit is not that big that it would be an eye sore at all.

chuckreef · 03/08/2011, 09:16 AM

Looks great guys. Can you explain or show how you attached it to the back of the stand. My stand has a "ledge" where the tank sits; its not flush. So i guess I need a 1 x 4 " board first that I would attach to, but what did you use?

BowieReefer84 · 03/08/2011, 09:22 AM

If the studs do not line up on the ceiling you can attach some nice 3/4" wood flush to the ceiling to where the studs do line up, and paint it to match the ceiling. Then attach the fixture to the wood rather than the studs. It would be more than strong enough. Not sure if this would work in your application. Hope this makes sense. Many people use this practice when mounting LCD tv's on walls where their studs do not line up.

BigRedNole · 03/08/2011, 09:32 AM

That is why I am thinking of going with the "rigid" conduit. It is far more sturdy. Since I will be either bending at the store or returning the bender, I will go with at least 3/4" rigid conduit.

AugustWest · 03/08/2011, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kellerexpress

I bent them in the store, used the pipe bender and then put it back on the shelf.

Awesome !

kellerexpress · 03/08/2011, 02:04 PM

My only worry with the rigid conduit is that it will be harder to bend than the standard and you may have a harder time getting clean bends. The standard is plenty strong IMO, with my sunpower hanging on it it does not budge.

BigRedNole · 03/10/2011, 07:50 AM

I just talked to a buddy of mine that does AC repair and installs. He said rigid conduit would be overkill and very hard to bend. He said 1/2" conduit would be more than strong enough to hold 40Lbs. I will still most likely get 1" EMT conduit so it is easier to drill through.

03/06/2011, 10:41 AM	#1
BigRedNole Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 161	Rigid Conduit to hang ATI Powermodule? I have been trying to come up with a way to hang an ATI Powermodule when it comes in. Because the studs are off center on the tank, doing with a shelving system would be too much of a pain and finding 16" brackets is difficult locally. Hanging from the ceiling will not work because the studs there are not right and the ceiling is too high. I saw a tank suspension system in the UK, but have not found one here in the US. I spent about 2 hours at Lowe's this morning. It looks like I could use 1/2" Rigid Conduit. My plan would to attach it the tank stand and have the 90 degree bends about 15" above the top of the tank. I can then hang the ATI fixture from that. Does this sound like a good plan? Does anyone else have any other ideas on a suspension system?

03/06/2011, 10:43 AM	#2
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2009-04/diy/index.php __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

03/07/2011, 05:58 AM	#5
SWINGRRRR Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Pcola FL Posts: 2,504	Crappy pic, but I used 1" pipe. The lights are PAR30's, but the wood fixture weighs about 8lbs. __________________ Have you ever tried to hold a monkey still if it is not drunk ~ insteng Current Tank Info: 45gal Rimless mixed reef--SWC 150BMK--2xMP10ESW--Giesemann 150W HQI

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03/06/2011, 04:34 PM	#3
BigRedNole Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 161	Thanks for that link. I saw a similar post somewhere and that is how I got the idea. I think 0.5" rigid conduit will do the trick. I am going to mount it directly to the stand because I won't be able to get it into the wall behind the tank.

03/07/2011, 03:59 PM	#7
kellerexpress Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 504	I just uses the standard conduit, seems plenty strong.

03/08/2011, 02:46 AM	#9
kellerexpress Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 504	I bent them in the store, used the pipe bender and then put it back on the shelf.

03/08/2011, 07:58 AM	#11
yikesjason Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 52	I used to have a 4x54w t5 fixture held up with regular 1/2 conduit. I had to compensate for the spring because it gave a little under the weight. I would say stray much more to the heavy side than the light because even 1" conduit is not that big that it would be an eye sore at all.

03/08/2011, 09:16 AM	#12
chuckreef Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Davis, Ca. Posts: 816	Looks great guys. Can you explain or show how you attached it to the back of the stand. My stand has a "ledge" where the tank sits; its not flush. So i guess I need a 1 x 4 " board first that I would attach to, but what did you use?

03/08/2011, 09:22 AM	#13
BowieReefer84 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Maryland, 21075 Posts: 409	If the studs do not line up on the ceiling you can attach some nice 3/4" wood flush to the ceiling to where the studs do line up, and paint it to match the ceiling. Then attach the fixture to the wood rather than the studs. It would be more than strong enough. Not sure if this would work in your application. Hope this makes sense. Many people use this practice when mounting LCD tv's on walls where their studs do not line up.

03/08/2011, 09:32 AM	#14
BigRedNole Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 161	That is why I am thinking of going with the "rigid" conduit. It is far more sturdy. Since I will be either bending at the store or returning the bender, I will go with at least 3/4" rigid conduit.

03/08/2011, 02:04 PM	#16
kellerexpress Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 504	My only worry with the rigid conduit is that it will be harder to bend than the standard and you may have a harder time getting clean bends. The standard is plenty strong IMO, with my sunpower hanging on it it does not budge.

03/10/2011, 07:50 AM	#17
BigRedNole Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 161	I just talked to a buddy of mine that does AC repair and installs. He said rigid conduit would be overkill and very hard to bend. He said 1/2" conduit would be more than strong enough to hold 40Lbs. I will still most likely get 1" EMT conduit so it is easier to drill through.