150 Gallon Build Thread ... From the Start

Progress ~~

Canopy updates -- glue up has begun

Face frame will have 3 bays just like the stand; in fact, the canopy will be patterned after the base exactly, only one-half as tall

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I had to make a jig to clamp lengthwise (no 6' clamps here)

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Final face frame glue up

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End panel glue up (sanding those tough to get at areas before gluing)

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End frame before glue up

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Final end panel glue up (one end down, one to go)

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Are you attaching the canopy together with anything other than glue, and if not, what glue are you using?

Using pocket screws on all the joints - just carpenter's wood glue. Will also be using biscuit joinery to attach the face frame to the ends, etc.

You can see the holes for the pocket screws in this pic ~~

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You can never have enough clamps..lmao! Nice work...
 
So much progress, I don't know what to do about it! Keep up the good work. Those fans look pretty powerful, certainly enough for a 150 gallon tank's set of lights. How many WPGs will you have over this?
 
How many WPGs will you have over this?

If I squeeze it, I have room for six 80 watt bulbs - each reflector is 3" wide.

The plan, however, is to just install five bulbs at 80 watts each - 400 total, or about 2.67 wpg. That should do nicely.

I will put 3 bulbs on one ballast and 2 on the other.

To start with, we will be running the 2 bulbs - 160 watts total - until some of the plants take hold. This will hopefully help control the algae.

Next, we plan to switch to the 3 bulbs - 240 watts total.

And finally, we will fire all 5 bulbs for our 400 total watts.

Hopefully this plan will get the plants going and somewhat control the algae in the tank.

Thanks for your feedback and question!
 
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