Canopy Design Help

[LesbianChap]

Just a couple things...

The electronics (ballasts, bulbs, etc) will produce heat and inside an enclosed hood it will be a lot of heat! You need ventilation. Mounting the ballasts/power supply on the backside/outside of the hood will help and lessen the weight on the top of the hood. I'd at least consider vents in the top and a small fan would probably help too.

Why does B need to be hinged? It looks like it's just a "filler" piece. If it's only moved for major maintenance, why conect it at all? Flip A back and remove B and set it aside??? Just an idea

I didn't draft in the 2 PC fans I'll be placing on the back of the hood for cooling. Figuring I'll get 2 of the bigger (120mm) fans with higher CFM ratings...should do well for ventilation and cooling the enclosed space.

And why hinge B instead of making the whole lid loose and removable? Well, I like to be fancy sometimes...go that extra step for the hidden "bling" factor on an otherwise plain item.

 

[beviking]

And why hinge B instead of making the whole lid loose and removable? Well, I like to be fancy sometimes...go that extra step for the hidden "bling" factor on an otherwise plain item.

Can't argue with that! Certainly something to be said for craftsmanship

 

[Rbishop]

Removing the canopy for full maintenance is a complete pain, IMO. I like the hinged aspect of "B". Definitely agree on needing vent holes.

 

[blasterman_]

Concept: build a decent size funnel that bolts onto a opening in the hatch. End of the funnel, via tubing or other, empties into a convenient part of the tank. This way you can top off without having to even open the hatch. Even with a hatch, you'll find yourself spilling/splashing, etc. on the edges.

 

[LesbianChap]

Removing the canopy for full maintenance is a complete pain, IMO. I like the hinged aspect of "B". Definitely agree on needing vent holes.

Yep...picking up the full weight of something seems a lot harder then pivoting the partial weight around a hinge...As for vents, there will be a hole or two cut for 2 PC fans on the back near the ballasts/power supplies to encourage ventilation...I'm hoping that'll be all I need.

Concept: build a decent size funnel that bolts onto a opening in the hatch. End of the funnel, via tubing or other, empties into a convenient part of the tank. This way you can top off without having to even open the hatch. Even with a hatch, you'll find yourself spilling/splashing, etc. on the edges.

I fail to see what this would accomplish...maybe you could explain it a bit further? Are you saying that you inevitably spill water on the edge of the aquarium when you fill it, and proposing a funnel-hatch on the top of the hood would solve it? If so, I feel this is a bad idea. Instead of spilling water on the top of the tank where I plan on fully waterproofing, I'd be spilling on the top of the hood (above all those electronics) which at best will have some regular household paint as sealant...Cause I know I tend to spill things a lot more when I got a big funnel vs a bigger tank. Second reason why I think it's bad is those times when I have more friends over then I can watch, one of them is inevitably going to put a beer or other beverage on the top of the aquarium...and inevitably, it's going to spill. The funnel hatch will create a greater chance of that liquid (which at best could affect my water parameters, at worst kill everything in the tank) would be funneled straight into the tank. Current design there's only one crack for it to get through before it gets into the tank, and that crack is going to be as thin as I can make it to reduce the risk (and light-lines) further.

I think a regular hood opening is a much better choice, at least for me...maybe you can sell the concept better if you explain it more?