EASY, Cheap, DIY Aquarium Light STAND!

In this video I show you how I make my aquarium light stands and save hundreds of dollars.
Many aquascape layouts have setups that use light stands to keep an aquarium light of the glass itself, however they can cost hundreds of dollars! I show how with a small investment, you can make as many stands as you need.
Items needed ( approximate prices as of 2023 in CAD):
1/2 inch EMT Conduit: $7-$10 each
1/2 inch EMT Conduit fasteners: $4 for a bag
1/2 inch EMT Conduit bender: $60-70
Saw with metal cutting blade: $40
Drill with drill bits
Total build takes a couple of hours with the most complex part being the bend of the conduit itself. There are many videos out there on how to calculate the bend, but them main point is to take into account the length needed to make the bend itself. In this case, it was 5 inches. Since I wanted my light stand to stretch across the length of my stand, I needed to ensure that 5 of those inches were used on the bend itself.
I hope this video helps and don't forget to follow along here as well as my IG:
‪@PlantedElement‬
Thanks for watching!

[@IndoorEcosystem]

Now to put a 1000 price tag on it like the rest of the aquarium brands do!
The came up really good!

[@PlantedElement]

Right!? I just can't stomach it. They also often rest on the glass which defeats the point.

[@PalmerAquatics]

I dig it!

[@PlantedElement]

Thank you!

[@DwAquascaper]

Thank you! Great video. I will test this out!🙏🏼 You really feel like a great person .

[@PlantedElement]

Thank you! It's a very simple build that can be easily modified and upgraded as time goes on!

[@waterlover]

Could have been a better diy if you made a hole on top of the cabinet edge the size of the tube to slide the tube in the cabinet and the fasteners to the pipe could have been screwed from the inside and painted the pipe to match the cabinet . Drill a hole on the inside bend of pipe to place the electric cable from the light thru it so it doesn’t look like out of place and to avoid zip ties . Get a pipe cap to give that added touch to the pipe. Just little details make a huge difference

[@PlantedElement]

I did explain why I did not want to do most of those things in the video, from drilling the stand, to painting the pipe. The only thing I didn't mention is the electrical and the simple answer is that I'm not comfortable with cutting wire since the plug would not fit. And I'm actually glad I didn't since the light is now on another setup and I'm getting a stronger one for this aquarium.

[@Jessery]

Very well done! Looks great!
I probably just missed it, but did you say what size wire you used?
I'm basically done building my hanging kit, except for deciding on the gauge and type of wire I'm gonna use. It's three strips but it's not nearly as heavy as it might sound. I'd say less than six pounds for sure. Anyway, Thank you for making the video.

[@PlantedElement]

Thanks! I used the Fluval Kit, and I can't recall the gauge of wire listed, unfortunately. I suspect it's probably 12-18 gauge, but the light itself is not heavy so I don't think you would need something much bigger.

[@scottwatson8630]

Hey. Great light stand and great vid! What’s the light you’re using for your competition tanks?

[@PlantedElement]

Thanks! I already have a Fluval Planted 3.0 that I used last time and it worked great. I am considering getting the Chihiros Slim.

[@el_don_flores]

🙌🙌

[@PlantedElement]

Thank you!

[@PluffyOP]

Is that a aluminum pipe or stainless stell

[@PlantedElement]

They come in either or, but I believe these are steel.