Canopy Plans

R

Rudy

Over my head
Dec 3, 2002
431
0
0
MA
Visit site
Can anyone direct me to a link for a DIY canopy.

The size of the canopy really does not matter, since I will alter the dimensions to fit my own tank. I am mostly looking for help with how to arrange and mount lights (T5/MH combo) and fans inside the canopy. :confused:

Thanks
 
I looked in the Sticky and there was nothing labled "Canopy"

Rather than simply using google I was hoping to hear from someone with direct experience, if not expertise, regarding the basic questions I posed around mouting the various items.
 
You will probably get as many different opinions and designs on the best way to do it as there are posters here.

I've attached some pics of my canopy during the build process. It is open top to allow heat to escape from the MH lights. I have two 3" computer fans blowing out from the canopy (exhaust), and 1 4" fan on the opposite side blowing into the canopy. I used 2x2s as supports for the MH and VHO actinic lighting. The one regret I have is that I should have placed the rear support about 3" higher to make it easier to reach down into the back of the tank for cleaning. Other than that, this design has worked very well for me. Hopefully this will give you some ideas.

005.jpg

Unfinished canopy showing cutouts for computer fans and 2x2 supports for lighting.

010.jpg

View showing computer fans installed. The 2 fans nearest are blowing out; the 1 fan on the far end is blowing into the canopy.

011.jpg

View of canopy after lights have been installed.
 
- Dolfans -

This is EXACTLY the kind of assistance for which I was hoping. Thank You. :idea:

Keith
 
Design Follow-up Question

Dolfan -

dolfans1 said:
It is open top to allow heat to escape from the MH lights.
Click to expand...

How much, if any, ambient light do you notice projecting from the open area?

dolfans1 said:
The 2 fans nearest are blowing out; the 1 fan on the far end is blowing into the canopy.
Click to expand...

Why did you feel this was a necessary component if the canopy top is open? Or, were you planning ahead for future canopy closure?

Thanks Again, Keith
 
Rudy said:
Dolfan -



How much, if any, ambient light do you notice projecting from the open area?
Click to expand...

Most of the light is coming out the back, as the back of the canopy is also open. You could close this off to reduce the amount of light coming out of the canopy, although I would make it removable to make maintenance easy. Most the light projects against the back wall that the tank is against.

Rudy said:
Why did you feel this was a necessary component if the canopy top is open? Or, were you planning ahead for future canopy closure?
Click to expand...

The original canopy I built for the tank had a closed wooden top that was hinged at the back so I could raise it. The MH and VHO lights were attached directly to this top. The heat from the MH lights ended up warping the top, so it didn't lay flat anymore, and also directed a lot of heat back into the tank. For this design I currently have I wanted an open top to allow more heat out and not have to worry about it warping, but I kept the fans in so I could also have circulating air to cool the lights. Those MH lights get really really hot - you can feel the warm air from the exhaust fans blowing out.:devil:

Here is a poor quality pic to get an idea of what it looks like. I had to take the picture w/ no flash to get the stray lighting evident, so the pic is kind of blurry. I was also in the middle of doing my weekly tank maintenance:

037.jpg
 
dolfans1 said:
You could close this off to reduce the amount of light coming out of the canopy, although I would make it removable to make maintenance easy... The heat from the MH lights ended up warping the top, so it didn't lay flat anymore, and also directed a lot of heat back into the tank. For this design I currently have I wanted an open top to allow more heat out and not have to worry about it warping, but I kept the fans in so I could also have circulating air to cool the lights. Those MH lights get really really hot - you can feel the warm air from the exhaust fans blowing
Click to expand...


Thanks again. Perhaps, I can cover mine, but leave a big enough space where I can place some exhaust fans on the top (directed outward) as well. Design it almost like a ridge vent on an attice. The only problem is this tank is going to be situated as a penisula. I'll have to think carefully when designing the top portion. I have a feeling I'll need to buy a couple piano hinges. :drool:

dolfans1 said:
Here is a poor quality pic to get an idea of what it looks like. I had to take the picture w/ no flash to get the stray lighting evident, so the pic is kind of blurry. I was also in the middle of doing my weekly tank maintenance:
Click to expand...

Looks great - Thanks again for the help. I'll be certain to show you pics as I go and the finsihed product.
 
LesbianChap said:
Here's a link of the thread of the one I am trying to design and build by the end of the year (can't start till Sep at the earliest, when I get back to the States):
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=138873

There's some pics from Sketchup on how I plan to put it together.
Click to expand...

Nice Les - Thanks a bunch.

I hope you do not mind if I use some of your ideas in my prototype? I'll be certain to share them on my 230 tank build thread: http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=139370

I like the style of your plans, contemporary but not flashy. I especially like the double hinge feature, presumably one for daily access, i.e. feeding, and one for mateneance, i.e. bulb replacement. Very well thought out.

Since my tank is a peninsula, I am thiniking it would be helpful to have a hinged access door on running both sides of the canopy top.

However, after looking at your plans, I am wondering if my idea would make for a hassle when it came time to change bulbs? I imagine I would have to lift the entire canopy off?

Any additional thoughts?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom