Any crafty people?

[symphonica]

Anybody have any suggestions on how to turn these into hanging lights? I want to hang them from my ceiling over my free-range.

I suppose I could wrap a piece of string around the fixture at both the left and right ends and tie these to the ceiling, but was hoping for a "cleaner" look. The surface of the light is completely smooth, with no vent holes or anything.

 

[GilaTequila]

I have used chain to wrap around lights in the way you were talking about using string. The other thing if u can take it apart the top could be drilled and either a hook or cable attached to hang.

 

[FrankTheTank]

Drill two small holes in each side and run steel wire through them. You can then tie off the wire to some small chain and viola! Hang them from the ceiling!

 

[MelissaB]

What's the fixture manufacturer's name? Maybe you can buy a hanging kit like this one:
http://www.marinedepot.com/Coralife...ixtures-Coralife-ES53093-FILTACMOFTHK-vi.html

 

[symphonica]

It's the ReptiSun T5HO fixture. It'd be amazing if they had hanging kits, but idk where they'd attach to.

Is there anything I need to watch out for when drilling, in terms of nicking wires or going through anything I shouldn't or anything?

 

[kdc5019]

Drill two small holes in the top center of the fixture and then screw in eye hooks. Then you can hang with whatever you want.

 

[Ninkylou]

Lowes sells hanging plant chains, they have hooks that you could hook onto the lip of the fixture.

 

[symphonica]

See, this is why I posted here. Some great ideas. I suppose most reptile lights don't need to hang, but I think they should all come with the option. All the T5 aquarium fixtures are hang-able.

 

[FrankTheTank]

It's the ReptiSun T5HO fixture. It'd be amazing if they had hanging kits, but idk where they'd attach to.

Is there anything I need to watch out for when drilling, in terms of nicking wires or going through anything I shouldn't or anything?

Try to take apart as much as you can so you can see what you could possibly drill into. Hopefully you could be able to take off the shell itself so you wont have to worry about drilling into anything. If you can't take it apart and see then I wouldn't suggest drilling into it as you could damage the ballast

 

[MelissaB]

It's the ReptiSun T5HO fixture. It'd be amazing if they had hanging kits, but idk where they'd attach to.

Is there anything I need to watch out for when drilling, in terms of nicking wires or going through anything I shouldn't or anything?

Yes, a lot of times the wiring will be run above where the bulbs are. And like FranktheTank said, the ballast is there, too. I don't have that brand, but a lot of fluorescent fixtures have a metal shield that's held in place by tension and built in slots and tabs. That's where they usually run the wires and put the ballast. If it has a shield,after you remove the bulbs, you squeeze it where the "clips" are, and it should pop off. The tabs will be on the shield and the slots on the fixture. Then you'd be able to see the ballast and avoid hitting the wires. I've never seen the underside of this fixture, so I'm guessing here.

 

[symphonica]

This thing is like completely solid. There were no spots where I could even sneak a screwdriver in to wiggle anything open. I ended up just having to wrap wire around it, even though it's ugly and I'd rather drill. I'm just not confident that I'll be able to avoid wires and ballast doing so blindly.

 

[MelissaB]

I think you made the right decision. It's too bad they don't have a hanging kit like they do for their fish tank hoods.

 

[DirtyDubbz]

You can use two small 0screws like for hanging things off wood except put them into your t5 should not be a problem if you can take the top off and do it if not go for it anyway then attach the cord or wire to the loops and there ya go hanging light lol

 

[MelissaB]

You can use two small 0screws like for hanging things off wood except put them into your t5 should not be a problem if you can take the top off and do it if not go for it anyway then attach the cord or wire to the loops and there ya go hanging light lol

It's only a good idea to drill if you can see the wires and the ballast. Otherwise you can nick the conductors or drill into the ballast and have a fire or ruin your fixture. Plus, I wouldn't use screws, there's nothing for the screw to hold onto. I'd use eye bolts, washers and nuts to hold it in place.

 

[symphonica]

What about a mini eye screw, if I were to put it in by hand? Do you think I could still damage the inside works if I don't use power tools?

 

[DirtyDubbz]

That's what I mean and it should be fine