Installing ADA bracket - solutions?

[keef321]

Hi, I have bought an ADA solar one arm stand 90 cm x 45 cm, to fit to my 75p tank. I have already set up and glued my hardscape together and filled with soil. On this tank, I am planning on doing a dark start so I wasn’t in a rush to get a light. I came across a deal on the stand that will allow me to hang a suitable light. The problem is according to the instructions the bottom bracket attaches to the bottom of the cabinet and the top bracket attaches right to the top of the cabinet, but if you did this before putting the pole in place, you wouldn’t be able to put the pole into the top bracket because of the height of the ceiling in the house. Looking at the brackets as you can see in the photo? They have put the mounting holes where the pole is. Am I missing something? Anybody got any ideas? Can I perhaps have the top bracket a bit lower down to allow me to put the poll in, but this would mean the top bracket would be screwed into a part of the cabinet with no shelf/brace. Any ideas would be appreciated 😀

Ps looking again, the way it is designed, even the bottom bracket screws will not screw into the bottom shelf of the cabinet, so perhaps the cabinet walls can hack the weight of the brackets

 

[oreo57]

Hi, I have bought an ADA solar one arm stand 90 cm x 45 cm, to fit to my 75p tank. I have already set up and glued my hardscape together and filled with soil. On this tank, I am planning on doing a dark start so I wasn’t in a rush to get a light. I came across a deal on the stand that will allow me to hang a suitable light. The problem is according to the instructions the bottom bracket attaches to the bottom of the cabinet and the top bracket attaches right to the top of the cabinet, but if you did this before putting the pole in place, you wouldn’t be able to put the pole into the top bracket because of the height of the ceiling in the house. Looking at the brackets as you can see in the photo? They have put the mounting holes where the pole is. Am I missing something? Anybody got any ideas? Can I perhaps have the top bracket a bit lower down to allow me to put the poll in, but this would mean the top bracket would be screwed into a part of the cabinet with no shelf/brace. Any ideas would be appreciated 😀

Ps looking again, the way it is designed, even the bottom bracket screws will not screw into the bottom shelf of the cabinet, so perhaps the cabinet walls can hack the weight of the brackets

Well first things first.. Some equiv. pictures imply your rod is in sections not one solid piece.
Second if you don't have "real wood" to screw it into( yes the screws are put in first before the poles.) and all you have for a backing is like 1/4" mdf board you could switch from like wood screws to bolts adding a backer plate of say 1/2 plywood 10 x 10 cm or whatever fits. That will spread out the forces on the thin wood.
It may not be enough to prevent some "pull out" though. There are a number of ways probably but the exact way the cabinet is built is required.
BTW there is no law on how far apart the 2 have to be.. AFAICT they don,t need to be in the "exact" top or bottom per se.
That usually is where real wood is though..

Do you have a link or diagram to the exact model you have?

This is one but obviously not your model.

ADA Solar RGB Arm Stand

ADA Solar RGB Arm Stand, specifically designed for ADA's flagship pendant style lighting system, Solar RGB.Install this smart-look arm stand on the side of WOOD CABINET, using provided fixing brackets.You can also install the stand to GARDEN STAND with 108-045 Garden Stand Fitting Parts (sold...

aquaforestaquarium.com

 

[keef321]

Well first things first.. Some equiv. pictures imply your rod is in sections not one solid piece.
Second if you don't have "real wood" to screw it into( yes the screws are put in first before the poles.) and all you have for a backing is like 1/4" mdf board you could switch from like wood screws to bolts adding a backer plate of say 1/2 plywood 10 x 10 cm or whatever fits. That will spread out the forces on the thin wood.
It may not be enough to prevent some "pull out" though. There are a number of ways probably but the exact way the cabinet is built is required.
BTW there is no law on how far apart the 2 have to be.. AFAICT they don,t need to be in the "exact" top or bottom per se.
That usually is where real wood is though..

Do you have a link or diagram to the exact model you have?

This is one but obviously not your model.

ADA Solar RGB Arm Stand

ADA Solar RGB Arm Stand, specifically designed for ADA's flagship pendant style lighting system, Solar RGB.Install this smart-look arm stand on the side of WOOD CABINET, using provided fixing brackets.You can also install the stand to GARDEN STAND with 108-045 Garden Stand Fitting Parts (sold...

aquaforestaquarium.com

Thanks for your reply.

I like the idea of the wood backer plate, that makes sense. Here is a link ADA Solar I Arm Stand 90x45cm Right

Although the light stand is made out of two pieces, they appear to be fused together.

I also attach a photo of the inside of one side of the cabinet

 

[G H Nelson]

The only solution I can think of is to remove the aquarium and add the brackets.
Then flip the cabinet onto the floor add the rod/pole....then lift it back into position.

 

[keef321]

The only solution I can think of is to remove the aquarium and add the brackets.
Then flip the cabinet onto the floor add the rod/pole....then lift it back into position.

Indeed that’s what I was originally concerned about, due to the hardscape all being set in the tank, and I would have “phone a friend” to assist moving it 🤣

 

[G H Nelson]

Yes, indeed, unfortunately, I think that's the only solution if you have a lowish ceiling!

 

[oreo57]

What about attaching the bottom bracket .. Having the other " free floating" then attach. You' ll only be short one screw( bolt).

Bracket dowsn't HAVE to be at the top though the recommended separation is 60cm (2ft) or more for stability.

 

[G H Nelson]

What about attaching the bottom bracket .. Having the other " free floating" then attach. You' ll only be short one screw( bolt).

Another idea is, to mark where the hole is on the bracket behind the pole, drill that hole through the cabinet to accept a counter-sunk head bolt, and bolt it together from the inside of the cabinet.
Obviously, you would put the bolt and pole in before bolting through the side of the cabinet.

 

[G H Nelson]

Actually, you could do that with both the brackets making it more secure, use washers on the inside of the cabinet!!

 

[keef321]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Counter headbolt using washers sounds like a great idea 👍

 

[G H Nelson]

Hi mate
That's what I would do.....you won't see the heads anyway....and just use the other wood screws to make the brackets look as intended.