Custom Lighting 10FT Tank

[StickMaster18]

I am in the process of setting up my lights on the new 1,000 gallon reef system. Does anyone have a referral for someone to build some custom racks for 10-12 XR30 Radions? I’ve always used Ecotech RMS rails but they only make them to 90 in. The tank footprint is 120x36. It would be really nice if the rack could be mechanically lifted up and down for service. Here are some pictures of the set up in progress and my old system that’s overloaded and long overdue for this upgrade. TSA has my tank tour video coming out this week so stay tuned for that. Also need a referral for a cabinet guy as well. Thanks for all the help in advance!

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[Discotu]

First off wow...that's a monster tank! Can't wait to see it up and running. If you're handy you can build your own rack out of 80/20 aluminum profile. I would also consider splitting the light rack in half so it's more manageable. Also instead of a cable driven lift a slide rack might look cleaner. Just push the rack back towards the wall to get into the tank.

lots of cool stuff you can do with 80/20
https://8020.net/linear-motion?srsltid=AfmBOoo8l95VB9-hJx6h6ZzJ2wlz8rl-WRN7MltKO-t5E0ptygRi-zQv

Good luck!

 

[StickMaster18]

Thank you for the advice. I’ll definitely check those out. Where can I find some 80/20 aluminum to try in out in person? Home Depot?


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[Elvismacalinao]

how do you aquascape in there? do you go inside the tank?

 

[Discotu]

I've never seen it at home improvement stores but it's available on amz or I typically order through Grainger for work. Others might know where it's stocked locally.

 

[Jimbo327]

Holy cow, that’s a dream tank.

You might want to hit up Ali at Amazing Aquariums, he has a lot of connections in the industry.

I ordered the aluminum t-slot from Grainger as well. You will need to buy the connections as well. Maybe go to a grainger store and show them your design. And there should be someone knowledgeable (hopefully) that will order all the parts needed.

I see that your ceiling is angled. Do you know exactly the height you want on the lights? Is there enough clearance to have a canopy and have it lift up? If you do, you may used a hinged back to the wall and a motored pulley wire winch to lift from the front. Not sure if you know what I'm saying. Or it can just be a manual lift the front if it is not too heavy. Like how you lift up your hood of the car.

 

[drexel]

Reach out to Dave o2manyfish and he should be able to direct you to someone. 8020 is the way to go and you can build a canopy around it. Do you have the radions already? If not, I would look at other lighting options that are cheaper with a better spectrum (Reefi Uno Pro 2's) or Quanta's. Looks like a great build.

 

[StickMaster18]

Holy cow, that’s a dream tank.

You might want to hit up Ali at Amazing Aquariums, he has a lot of connections in the industry.

I ordered the aluminum t-slot from Grainger as well. You will need to buy the connections as well. Maybe go to a grainger store and show them your design. And there should be someone knowledgeable (hopefully) that will order all the parts needed.

I see that your ceiling is angled. Do you know exactly the height you want on the lights? Is there enough clearance to have a canopy and have it lift up? If you do, you may used a hinged back to the wall and a motored pulley wire winch to lift from the front. Not sure if you know what I'm saying. Or it can just be a manual lift the front if it is not too heavy. Like how you lift up your hood of the car.

When I bought the house the ceiling was 8ft and I vaulted everything for the tank. My goal was to set them up with a motorized pulley and have them hinge back to the wall so I can jump in the tank for maintenance. Do you know how I could set up a pulley system like that?


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[Dooly]

awesome build! I'm assuming you'll be swapping out for the high intensity lenses on the xr30's? looks like your tank is probably 4.5' height?
you can set up 8020 to hinge back and lock in place for maintenance, but you will need to have quite a bit of aluminum extrusion on your back wall alone to support the weight of rack/lights as well and it might not be aesthetically pleasing..
would be much easier and cheaper to run multiple 60.5" rms rails..

 

[Jimbo327]

Are you planning to run a canopy? If yes, how big will the canopy be? Do you have a crawl space in the ceiling? If you want it motorized, then you'll need to figure out where to put the motor.

If you have a big canopy, you can mount the motor on the wall, and hidden from view behind the canopy.

And any motorized system will probably need a pulley to be mounted on the angled ceiling, so not sure how aesthetically pleasing that will be. Unless you can mount the motor in the crawl space above the ceiling or directly on the ceiling (which is probably ugly)

Or you just push it up manually if it is not too heavy and lock it into place while you do maintenance. That would be the easiest, but may be too heavy.

 

[Elvismacalinao]

You should have created an entire cabinet and make it flush on all sides of the tank. Nice clean look with no maintenance around the tank.

 

[pa1ntbru5h]

Curious to see what you'll end up doing with the lighting rack. I've been trying to brainstorm ideas to lift my canopy as well but haven't found a good solution yet.

 

[wishntoboutside]

Where does one get 8020 locally in long sections?
build looks great.

 

[Discotu]

Where does one get 8020 locally in long sections?
build looks great.

You would likely need to order through Grainger and pick up from one of their local stores. IMS might carry it but not sure.

 

[StickMaster18]

It’s still a work in progress but we have some good ideas brewing. I’ll send some updates when we get working on the rack system. In other news, the extension of the shed has commenced. Framing is almost complete. MEP starts tomorrow. There will be a full frag and QT system in this area with an RODI fed slop sink. Existing tank is ready for the upgrade!

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[Discotu]

Now THATS a fish shed!

 

[Elvismacalinao]

The rain water will go to the neighbors yard? Or that's your yard? You should have just extended the roof make it look flush and more head room, without bowing.

 

[A.MReef]

It’s still a work in progress but we have some good ideas brewing. I’ll send some updates when we get working on the rack system. In other news, the extension of the shed has commenced. Framing is almost complete. MEP starts tomorrow. There will be a full frag and QT system in this area with an RODI fed slop sink. Existing tank is ready for the upgrade!

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This is exactly what I want to do for my fish room! I’m working with upto 12FT long 4FT of empty space that I can build a fish room. I’m excited to see updates!

 

[newtothis]

Thank you for the advice. I’ll definitely check those out. Where can I find some 80/20 aluminum to try in out in person? Home Depot?


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Grainger carry 80/20inc. If you want to avoid shipping from 80/20inc. Order from grainger with ship to store. For your size tank. I would definitely give 80/20inc. They can give you proper size 80/20 to best fit your weight needs. Once you decide in the frame. Skinning it will be relatively easy. With magnets.

 

[laverda]

89/20 is slick suff, but pretty heavy. I would use aluminum angle or U channel.