FishTankProjects - 6' Shallow Reef Project

[Myka]

Steel I think you would be fine, but aluminum maybe not. You could hang the bar from the ceiling rather than mounting it. Or hang each light from the ceiling and skip the bar. Why don't you remove the banister now and install the tank in its permanent home? I would not want to put "move tank up a flight of stairs" on my tank plan list.

[RMC]

The build is going to look nice. I like the look of the swallow reef as well.

Cantilevering the lights over a 5.5ft span is going to be a challenge, Mykas ceiling mounting suggestion will turn out as well. I ended up suspending my from a overhead shelf.

Check the structure below the banister, if there is a wall directly below it you should be fine. If not you'll need to shore it up with a beam and posts (build a wall).