DIY Lighting System for my 125 Gal Mixed Reef!

Video to show my DIY tank lighting and adjustable height creation!

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• winch
• tank
• tank lights
• lights
• DIY lights
• DIY canopy
• DIY
• canopy
• saltwater
• halide
• aquarium

[quickcope]

Dude, I am a DIY er as well... But you have got to be kidding..... Why would you need such a heavy duty contraption? I am not bashing you.... But that lift will lift a boat.. and the light is like 8 pounds.... was there no other way..... WOW..

[SpnceKG]

HAHA! I know it, but it's not my house and I couldn't attach anything to the ceiling or walls or I would've just used a series of pulleys down the back and to the side of the tank and pulled by hand. However, its actually about 25-30lbs (Yeah, it doesn't look it, but trust me, it is) So, I couldn't do this without a seriously bracketed contraption, and without expensive pulleys, heavier rope and a gear system....

[SpnceKG]

it's able to be pulled up by hand, but with more force than is wanted with the number of times its raised and lowered. I wanted a smaller, more compact winch, but it's the smallest around here I could find and for 20 bucks, it was fine by me! How come no one likes this thing? haha. It's not supposed to be perfect since it's not permanent and my better options were ruled out by my parents, but it's still cooler and better than unplugging all your lights and lifttng off your whole canopy!

[SpnceKG]

That's because the two sides weren't braced to the stand yet when I made this. They are braced now and there is absolutely no wobble to the framing and it is very strong. I expect the actualy canopy part to sway some just because it is hung down by two strings, but that can easliy be stopped with your hand. Also, it's connected to the strings by a double ended clip. I used this because I couldn;t find the much better looking S hooks that I purchased. These are more reliable anyways.

[zachfisch]

lol that thing looks like a disaster waiting to happen lol

[goblin072]

I would add some duct tape for the finishing touch!  LOL

Are you planing on covering it up with some kind of canopy?

[xtremetrainerjax]

good job on it all sounds mostly like people that dont know much about cables and pulleys commenting on your stuff. But from a serious diy guy i think you got a good set up for now.

[ALMISHEA]

Real tomatoe ketchup edie?

[betLogiNzZz]

WHAT KIND OF LIGHT DID HE USE???...PLEASE...ANYONE???...

[sspamer]

Hi, I'm looking for ideas so that's why I ended up watching your video. My problem though is your intentions are good, but your execution is bad. This thing is huge. Pullies are cool and all, but what happens when your wires break and your light(s) come crashing down onto your aquarium. Can you afford water damage? and dead fish? Aesthetically, it is hideous. Haha. Sorry, I had to say it. The upside is that I watched your video, and probably acquired new ideas.. Final word: Redesign!

[alecmunro]

i like the idea! to make it easier i would put the winch under the tank with wires from the celling or frame then down to the winch. this would make it easy to turn & hide the winch. could you mount pulleys from the celling & do away with the frame?

[vinamel97]

damn my limp dic is more sturdier than that thing.

[JoshuaCaudillo]

Turn em on!... also does not look sturdy lol but nice job!

[goblin072]

Actually I rigged up something for my lights that my maintenance guy thought was overkill.

I made it out of PCV tubing and used tiny locking pulleys (purchased at hardware)

They enable me to move the lights up and lock them.

Mine is hidden by the canopy, its goofy but effective.