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View Full Version : Canopy design, need insight.



Phatboydime
02-21-2010, 6:28 PM
Ok so I am finalizing the design for my canopy build. Its fairly complex as far as canopys go. As you will see Ive put alot of thought into this, but Im having a problem. Ill ask a question at the end. To start check out my design. To object of the design is to have easily adjustable light height so I can fine tune my lighting for the tank.
Here is the inner structure from the front.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r117/phatboydime/120%20gallon%20tank/skeleton.jpg
Here it is from the left rear.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r117/phatboydime/120%20gallon%20tank/skeletonrear.jpg
This is the front with the outside minus the front door
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r117/phatboydime/120%20gallon%20tank/canopyfront.jpg
This is the front underneath, the red part will sit on the tanks edge
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r117/phatboydime/120%20gallon%20tank/canopyunderbottom.jpg
This is a side cutaway to get some clarity for the rear section.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r117/phatboydime/120%20gallon%20tank/canopycutaway.jpg
This has the MH lights and a vent fan installed.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r117/phatboydime/120%20gallon%20tank/canopywithlightsandfan.jpg
My problem is I have two 48 inch T5 actinic lights to intall, and I cant see a way to incorporate them without blocking light from the MHs. Do you have any Ideas? To clarify the tank will only go to the back of the yellow stringers, the rest in the back will hang off the back of the tank for wiring and a vent tube.

mellowvision
02-22-2010, 1:04 PM
why not just hang the lights from cables inside the box, using adjustable height locks, and save yourself all the work of making the shelf cage? this seems overly complicated, more likely to trap more heat, and makes it harder to mount your actinics.

Amphiprion
02-22-2010, 1:12 PM
Using cables was my first thought, as well.