DIY 8020 Extruded Aluminum Saltwater Aquarium Light Mount

Need a custom light mount for your aquarium? 8020 to the rescues!
Today i show you how easy it is to build your own DIY 8020 light bar.
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[@dailycoral]

Definitely an elegant solution for light mounting! And congrats on the big time channel sponsors, you deserve it!!

[@ReefDudes]

Thanks Jeff! I appreciate it!

[@aaron_brown7324]

The placement of the waterbox is perfect

[@ReefDudes]

😍 thank you

[@tylerclontz]

Simple, elegant, and raw. Well done my dude! 🤙

[@RogueAquariums]

80/20 is the way to go IMO as it is lightweight, strong & sleek at the same time. That’s why it was my choice as well. 👍

[@ReefDudes]

Excellent choice!! How’s your tank coming ?!

[@MrPrentissDJones]

I’m so glad that you did the video on this, I was about to ask that question. I’d like to have one for my freshwater

[@ReefDudes]

Hopefully it helps!

[@MiddleAgedMike]

Thanks for the video I just order my 80/20 based on your video with a few tweaks.... also just ordered a waterbox 7225 as well. BeciSe of you clean setup I was able to easily convince my better half that this would be a nice clean setup for our great room. Thanks to you I’ll soon have my own dream peninsula tank!

[@ReefDudes]

Awesome! contrasts non the new tank and better half inspiration!) Happy to help!

[@utekevin]

I love this! I will do it in my next set up. Thank you for it. ❤

[@d1nternal]

In the works of building my new stand out of the 80/20 stuff! thanks for the vid it helps!

[@ReefDudes]

sounds like a fun project! if i do a smaller tank at some point i think i would like to try 8020 for a stand.. would be pricey for a big tank! good luck on the build! it will be awesome when its done!!

[@SimpleReefer101]

I recreated this setup with 15-15 for a Red Sea peninsula 950. The horizontal bar is 80 inches, just wondering if yours has held up well over the last 4 years without dropping?

[@seantse8579]

Amazing amazing video! Just wondering where can I purchase the 8020 set up that you have? I am in Vancouver BC. Thanks in advance

[@ReefDudes]

I believe Rocky Mountain metals is close to you and sells it

[@Yazannreef]

Hello Devin I just want to start off by saying I Love your content Devin. I have a very important question: I jusr purchased a cade 1800 peninsula 71×32×24 and I'm stressed out about mounting my orphek icon lights( 3 of them). The lights wight around 15 lb each. I saw that you diy on extruded aluminum for the radions and that looks great! Could you please walk me thru how you did it? I can have extruded bars mounted on the wall but I'm worried the horizontal bar won't hold up 3 icons over 72" long. I can hang the end of the bar from the ceiling if I have to and I can also have a stronger aluminum bar mounted to the wall if necessary. Any advise please? Thank you

[@ReefDudes]

I have the one end bolted to the wall. You could add a single wire closer to the floating end to support it further if your worried about the weight

[@roquepalomo3994]

Can you pls tell me where you get the whole kit? I need it for my 6ft peninsula. We have same size tank. Thanks

[@ReefDudes]

I ordered the parts and made it my self

[@gabesreef]

Awe man, that sounds pretty awesome

[@junior-1724]

You should make more and sale them specifically for peninsula tanks.

[@ReefDudes]

I may have to! haha i get asked alot!

[@barbcongl2588]

Hello. Wondering if you might have a solution for mounting the lights with the new gen 6 RMS slides. The prior Gen Is no longer available.

[@ReefDudes]

Drill a hole in the Center and pop a bolt/washer through it

[@barbcongl2588]

@@ReefDudesthank you.

[@simonjohnson4025]

cool my question answered thanks for that!

[@mittenreefer]

I have been waiting for this video since your overview on the last video of this light bar! Thanks for all the info. I am going to be doing this on my new lagoon tank after I move. Using bent,painted conduit for now that is mounted to the stand as opposed to the wall. The 80/20 looks way cleaner especially on a peninsula tank

[@ReefDudes]

i just love the floating look! super cool stuff to build with!

[@istandwithisreal8883]

Thanks love your video

[@KreefAquariumhobby]

Great stuff!

[@WB25Penn]

Would you say 10 series would be enough for a mount similar to yours for a nano? only a length out from the upright about 14 inches?

[@ReefDudes]

i would think it would be fine

[@BodyworkASMR]

would the attachments need to be stronger if I wanted to design a 80/20 stand? I would really like a minimalistic look too but may look ugly with gussets and brackets

[@ReefDudes]

Depends on the size of the tank but I would likely use thicker bars but all comes down to the size and spans

[@mrkjeezy619]

I also have a water box 7225 Peninsula, how many Feet should i order, are they both 6ft each?

[@reezandkal773]

By any chance...can you provide the parts list? I'd like to build this for my tank. Thank you.

[@ReefDudes]

I have done a few videos on my various light bars. One of them I’m pretty sure I put parts in the description.

[@inventoryking]

Quick question, when you designed and ordered it up, did you do it yourself on the website, or did you have someone draw it up based on what you were looking for? I looked on the site, added some lengths, etc and I am confused lol! Thanks in Advance Deven

[@ReefDudes]

I designed it and over milled the corner connectors for good measure :). 2020 is like big kid Lego :)

[@Ranger89212]

looks like a side business buddy, patent that and start selling kits. Ill definitely get one!👍

[@ReefDudes]

I have been asked to build one so many times haha! i guess i could pre design and drop ship it! :)

[@chrismoniz5898]

@@ReefDudes let me know ill take two

[@chrismoniz5898]

And I don't live far as I live in brampton Ontario

[@Mike__B]

Pretty sure others have done this, and the patenting would fail horribly... but who knows, the patent system is pretty broke, I mean they gave Apple a patent for rounded corners :D :D :D But he's right though, this stuff is super easy to use, and put together especially for simple shapes like this, it really is Erector set for big kids.

[@joeyu8292]

Would you willing to share the part list and where you ordered from?

[@cmmcfielful]

I might have missed it but could you tell us how you got the materials? was this stuff on amazon or do we have to special order this from somewhere?

[@ReefDudes]

I ordered from a dealer in my area. google 80/20 and your area and see what you find! I know the other video i linked at the end had specific amazon links to parts of my original one.

[@khonho]

I ordered mine from McMaster. They got all kind of stuff.

[@Mike__B]

tnutz.com is where I got mine.

[@jessielees]

do you think this stuff would be strong enough for diy aquarium stands..?

[@maccguyca]

do you have a parts list ? also how did you get them to make make the cleat system?

[@TLASPEK]

I am doing a DIY and I need to use x-bracket G4 for G5 XR15 light. Will it fit and okay to use long term?

[@ReefDudes]

yes the XR15 one works fine (infact im doing that now!) the 30s, you either need the newer one or use spacers between the bracket in the fixture to allow room for airflow above the fan

[@TLASPEK]

ReefDudes how do you use the newer bracket to attach it to 80/20? Did you have to drill a hole for the T screw?

[@754welive5]

Do I drill the rms mount?

[@ReefDudes]

The older style had a clip you could pop out. New ones you would have to have the mount on top or drill a hole

[@raisethereef]

Let me know if you can still find the old RMS slides for the new G5. I looked all over and can't find them. My entire hanging setup in my canopy was designed for the old RMS slides. The new G5 slide killed my idea

[@ReefDudes]

I need to find a few too!

[@raisethereef]

@@ReefDudes They're gone from what I've found. I'm going to reach out to Ecotech in the morning but not holding my breath. I may have to make the new G5 slide work

[@sheemkhaa9933]

I'm adding a light bar over my 80 gal., I'll be using electric custom stand from IKEA to mount the rails on. Can you add links to all what you purchase to create your floating light rail? Nice peninsula 👍

[@thilog5874]

Well. Nobody would accept light mountings like this in any lamp around the house. But for tanks it is always „oh, how nice!“ Why is no manufacturer able to produce a nice mounting or fixture solution which does not look like straight out from Home Depot??

[@darthweezy]

How high do you have your lights mounted above your tank? Is there any flexibility to move your vertical bar up or down? I really think this is an amazing idea!

[@ReefDudes]

8-9" inch, yes i could loosen the screws on the vertical bar and slide it up or down if desired.

[@marsaquariums8843]

nice

[@nathanh8439]

Do you know if the RMS X brackets work for the G5 Radions?

[@ReefDudes]

the XR15 one will. The XR30 would need a spacer so it doesnt block the fan

[@Elev8minh]

Do you know the actual name of that cleat and where I can purchase it from?

[@ReefDudes]

“DOUBLE ANCHOR T- NUT SHORT ASSEMBLY” and they did a Center bore for it. I got it from a metal shop. Easier way may be to just use the triangle corner plates

[@noahfuller1376]

What type of tree is that in the window

[@ReefDudes]

horse chestnut tree

[@noahfuller1376]

Thank You.

[@Mike__B]

Curious how those connection pieces will hold up over time. I know the aluminum will be fine, but the connectors are typically galvanized steel which isn't the best to have around a salty environment.

[@ReefDudes]

I have had my original one for a few years now and still going strong. a bit of surface rust on a few screws rest were fine so overall i would say no issue

[@Mike__B]

@@ReefDudes Sweet deal, mine has been over my tank for about 9 months, and while I'm not particularly worried since I did most of the fasteners on the side that's away from the tank, there still are some that had to be on the tank side.

[@TLASPEK]

Are you able to post the list of the materials that you used?

[@ReefDudes]

Ill post a pick of the packing list once i dig it up

[@TLASPEK]

Did you have to drill the bracket in order for you to use with T screw to attach the light to the 80/20?

[@ReefDudes]

@@TLASPEK Nope, i used the stock bracket and just popped out the clip part that goes onto the rail. then used a washer and t nut to attach

[@TLASPEK]

ReefDudes this stock bracket comes with XR15 G5 light, or you have to get x bracket kit or mounting arm?

[@MrLawrencegreene]

Can we get a list of part number you used?

[@ReefDudes]

i post a pic of the packing slip when i find it

[@MrLawrencegreene]

@@ReefDudes Hey reefdudes wanted to thanks for the help I got my light bar up installed and it looks awesome

[@MatanIluz]

is this tank is red sea 750 ? great video thanks

[@ReefDudes]

Waterbox 7225

[@MatanIluz]

@@ReefDudes can i order only the xr15 mount that show in 3:43 minute i can't find it can you share a link for this part thanks again