Never underestimate the power of inexpensive conduit!

Tswifty · 02/16/2010, 05:13 PM

Just built my 2nd light rack out of 3/4" EMT Conduit, and wanted to post some pictures and say that if anyone is looking for an inexpensive/clean way to hang lights without utilizing a canopy or hanging something from your ceiling... this is the way to go.

I think each 10' length was like $3.00 or something and it took 2 lengths for my current project. My last one only needed one length. What made this current project a little more expensive than the first one was the use of conduit fittings, instead of bending the entire bar (which can be a little difficult for a beginner).

Here was my first light rack... pretty much made to support only 1 pendant. I painted the bar black and used zip ties to hide the wires. Once again, this rack was bent (no fittings were used) so it's all one piece.

Here is the rack I just constructed. I used a hacksaw and cut the 2 lengths of conduit into 5 separate pieces. Then the 4 conduit fittings were used to connect everything. Metal conduit straps were used to attach the main vertical bars to the back of the stand.

Tswifty · 02/16/2010, 05:14 PM

It still needs some final clean up work... painted/hidden cords... but overall I'm very happy with how it turned out, and like I said... would definitely recommend this project to anyone who has a rimless or open top tank.

Notathumpa · 02/16/2010, 05:22 PM

Well done......both times! Thanks for the ideas.

DEERE G · 02/16/2010, 05:25 PM

Looks good TJ. You are going to need sunglasses for your fish. Haha

guillotine · 02/16/2010, 05:25 PM

dam very nice that came out great are u planning on painting the one black also ur tank is also looking great

jakester · 02/16/2010, 05:33 PM

nice job. Looks great. I am just not sure if you have enough lighting to grow sps. :-P

Tswifty · 02/16/2010, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Notathumpa

Well done......both times! Thanks for the ideas.

Thanks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DEERE G

Looks good TJ. You are going to need sunglasses for your fish. Haha

Thanks Keith.

Since switching to the Lumen Max Elite pendants, I'm finally seeing growth out of my Diver's Den Mini Colonies, and Tony's Purple Limeade Nasuta (which I was pretty positive I killed) is coming back and showing nice color in the new growth tips. It'll be interesting to see how my chalices react though, as the tank is very well lit corner to corner now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by guillotine

dam very nice that came out great are u planning on painting the one black also ur tank is also looking great

Thanks, yeah I plan on painting it, just not sure when I'm going to have time to get it done. I've been rushing around trying to get these last few projects done and everything stable before I move later this week. The tank will be staying here in PA for at least a month or two before I make a decision about moving it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jakester

nice job. Looks great. I am just not sure if you have enough lighting to grow sps. :-P

Hahaha... looks like my sig line finally fits.

oldreefer76 · 02/16/2010, 06:20 PM

I have been using 3/4" conduit for years to hang lights and it works great, it also helps that I have been bending conduit for 30+ years and I get it from work for free, I have also used 1/2" galvanized threaded pipe also to make light brackets

joe22883 · 02/16/2010, 10:09 PM

Nice Tj! If your using fitting this time anyways couldnt you run your mh wires down through the conduit? Maybe a tee on each end with rubber gramets? Those reflectors are just barely small enough to fit your cube

Maybe a houseplant on each side or mangroves.

Tswifty · 02/16/2010, 11:33 PM

Thanks Joe. I didn't buy the fittings with the boxes on them. After I paint the conduit black a few black zip ties should hide the wires well.

Tell me about it... Both reflectors combined are almost the same footprint of my tank. I know some of my SPS has been craving more light. I've experimented with a lot of different lighting intensities and setups over the past few years, so I'll be interested to see what this increase does for both color and growth.

joe22883 · 02/16/2010, 11:53 PM

I think it should help alot for both. I just upgraded to bluewave hqi 400's from cheap m59 ballasts, what a difference. what bulbs you going with?

Mr Coffee · 02/17/2010, 02:48 PM

could you drill a hole in the conduit and run the wires inside as a way to prevent using the zip ties?

That looks incredibly clean and cool. VERY impressive.

Tswifty · 02/17/2010, 08:20 PM

Thanks. Yeah, I could drill and run the wire through the conduit. However, once I get it painted black and use black zip ties you really can't even see the wire.

puffster · 02/18/2010, 09:14 PM

Sweet! Looks O.E.M. and compliments the tank set-up. You should take orders on the side for fraggs.

Tswifty · 02/19/2010, 01:07 AM

Thanks. Since it's such a small setup I need to trim it often, but I don't have a frag tank so I usually fresh clip frags for people when it's time for a pruning. LOL

02/16/2010, 05:13 PM	#1
Tswifty Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: PA Posts: 14,022	Never underestimate the power of inexpensive conduit! Just built my 2nd light rack out of 3/4" EMT Conduit, and wanted to post some pictures and say that if anyone is looking for an inexpensive/clean way to hang lights without utilizing a canopy or hanging something from your ceiling... this is the way to go. I think each 10' length was like $3.00 or something and it took 2 lengths for my current project. My last one only needed one length. What made this current project a little more expensive than the first one was the use of conduit fittings, instead of bending the entire bar (which can be a little difficult for a beginner). Here was my first light rack... pretty much made to support only 1 pendant. I painted the bar black and used zip ties to hide the wires. Once again, this rack was bent (no fittings were used) so it's all one piece. Here is the rack I just constructed. I used a hacksaw and cut the 2 lengths of conduit into 5 separate pieces. Then the 4 conduit fittings were used to connect everything. Metal conduit straps were used to attach the main vertical bars to the back of the stand. __________________ "Enough light? Heck I could go barebottom and grow SPS in the stand!" - DiscoReefRover

02/16/2010, 05:14 PM	#2
Tswifty Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: PA Posts: 14,022	It still needs some final clean up work... painted/hidden cords... but overall I'm very happy with how it turned out, and like I said... would definitely recommend this project to anyone who has a rimless or open top tank. __________________ "Enough light? Heck I could go barebottom and grow SPS in the stand!" - DiscoReefRover

02/16/2010, 05:22 PM	#3
Notathumpa Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Nickelsville, Virginia Posts: 325	Well done......both times! Thanks for the ideas. __________________ The distance to infinity is the same from any point....why hurry! John Current Tank Info: Setting up 120 gal reef, ASM G-3 skimmer, Evergrow LED

02/16/2010, 05:25 PM	#4
DEERE G Passing Through Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: ATL Posts: 1,503	Looks good TJ. You are going to need sunglasses for your fish. Haha __________________ -Keith- Current Tank Info: DRY

02/16/2010, 05:25 PM	#5
guillotine Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: strongsville, oh 44136 Posts: 419	dam very nice that came out great are u planning on painting the one black also ur tank is also looking great __________________ kevin, Current Tank Info: 125g mixed reef, 100% DIY stand, hood, LED lighting, external overflows, Sump, external Fuge

02/16/2010, 05:33 PM	#6
jakester Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Temecula,CA Posts: 77	nice job. Looks great. I am just not sure if you have enough lighting to grow sps. :-P __________________ My girlfriend calls it coral porn Current Tank Info: 36"/20"/18" Starphire Rimless, 40 gal. sump 2 Lumatek Ballast/ 2-400 watt Radiums in Lumenarc Minis, 1 Vortech MP10w/ 3/4" Sea swirl for return line, SWC 160 cone skimmer

02/16/2010, 06:20 PM	#8
oldreefer76 Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Fairview Park Ohio Posts: 2,452	I have been using 3/4" conduit for years to hang lights and it works great, it also helps that I have been bending conduit for 30+ years and I get it from work for free, I have also used 1/2" galvanized threaded pipe also to make light brackets

02/16/2010, 10:09 PM	#9
joe22883 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: N. Olmsted, Ohio Posts: 1,416	Nice Tj! If your using fitting this time anyways couldnt you run your mh wires down through the conduit? Maybe a tee on each end with rubber gramets? Those reflectors are just barely small enough to fit your cube Maybe a houseplant on each side or mangroves.

02/16/2010, 11:33 PM	#10
Tswifty Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: PA Posts: 14,022	Thanks Joe. I didn't buy the fittings with the boxes on them. After I paint the conduit black a few black zip ties should hide the wires well. Tell me about it... Both reflectors combined are almost the same footprint of my tank. I know some of my SPS has been craving more light. I've experimented with a lot of different lighting intensities and setups over the past few years, so I'll be interested to see what this increase does for both color and growth. __________________ "Enough light? Heck I could go barebottom and grow SPS in the stand!" - DiscoReefRover

02/16/2010, 11:53 PM	#11
joe22883 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: N. Olmsted, Ohio Posts: 1,416	I think it should help alot for both. I just upgraded to bluewave hqi 400's from cheap m59 ballasts, what a difference. what bulbs you going with?

02/17/2010, 02:48 PM	#12
Mr Coffee Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 511	could you drill a hole in the conduit and run the wires inside as a way to prevent using the zip ties? That looks incredibly clean and cool. VERY impressive. __________________ I dose coffee Current Tank Info: 75 & 90 now a 210 build in progress

02/17/2010, 08:20 PM	#13
Tswifty Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: PA Posts: 14,022	Thanks. Yeah, I could drill and run the wire through the conduit. However, once I get it painted black and use black zip ties you really can't even see the wire. __________________ "Enough light? Heck I could go barebottom and grow SPS in the stand!" - DiscoReefRover

02/18/2010, 09:14 PM	#14
puffster Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Ravenna, oh Posts: 946	Sweet! Looks O.E.M. and compliments the tank set-up. You should take orders on the side for fraggs.

02/19/2010, 01:07 AM	#15
Tswifty Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: PA Posts: 14,022	Thanks. Since it's such a small setup I need to trim it often, but I don't have a frag tank so I usually fresh clip frags for people when it's time for a pruning. LOL __________________ "Enough light? Heck I could go barebottom and grow SPS in the stand!" - DiscoReefRover