DIY hood suggestions for odd shaped custom tank

[Matak]

I am planning on building a custom shaped tank to fit nicely into a corner. I plan on adding enough NO lighting to grow plants decently. The only setback is that I can't figure out how to build a removable hood. If I am going to prune I'll need good access from the top. Any suggestions?

 

[Bucho]

Could you hinge it on one of the 50" sides, so it opened side ways? That's the best way I can think of. That way you would have all of the top open up. Just make sure you can accomodate cords and the lights are attached to the lid so that they wont fall when you open it up.

 

[slipknottin]

quick question, Do you mean T8 or T12 bulbs? T5 bulbs are HO bulbs, and still relatively expensive.

 

[Matak]

quick question, Do you mean T8 or T12 bulbs? T5 bulbs are HO bulbs, and still relatively expensive.

I didn't check the price of the T5's, and keeping the costs down is important, so I will probably go T8's. Can I use regular ballasts with T8's?

 

[Matak]

Could you hinge it on one of the 50" sides, so it opened side ways? That's the best way I can think of. That way you would have all of the top open up. Just make sure you can accomodate cords and the lights are attached to the lid so that they wont fall when you open it up.

I would like to do that, my 30g is a DIY hinged hood and works great. Problem is, it will be too close to the walls to hinge up.

 

[Bucho]

You could hinge it so it flipped to be flush with the sides, then use little slide bolts to hold it up. I can picture it in my head, but i cnat draw it on the computer.

 

[slipknottin]

Yup, 46.5" T5 bulbs are still $20+. As opposed to 48" T8s, which can be found for less than $10.00. Of course, seeing as T5 bulbs put out alot more light, you could use fewer bulbs...

Anyways, are you opposed to a suspended canopy?

Besides a suspended canopy, you have a couple options.

1. is to have the hood at least 10" high, and then have the front/sides open up and go at it that way.

2. Have a lower canopy that can fold upwards and rest on itself or on the wall.

3. Have a low normal canopy with tiny little doors that you just use for feeding, but setup some sort of pulley system (like the systems used to pick up and hold bikes or whatnot in garages) and when you want to work on the tank, crank the winch and raise the hood up out of the way.

 

[Matak]

You could hinge it so it flipped to be flush with the sides, then use little slide bolts to hold it up. I can picture it in my head, but i cnat draw it on the computer.

Sure I can picture it. You mean something like this? (see attached) This is what I have on my 30g. Hmm, what might work good is a hybrid between your idea and Slips. A partially hinged hood that is raised and held in place by pulleys.

 

[beviking]

What about using small framing lumber (3/4X3/4 or 1") and building it so the top (where you will have your long T8's) hinges up, like a cut-out? With small hinges (or piano hinge), the gap lets VERY little light escape. If you check my sig (or here http://community.webshots.com/photo/66733948/67041321sRbRzB click on the normal window button!), I have DIY plans for the hood I made using small framing lumbar and luan skin. The Door Frame sits inside the front section of the Hood Frame and the luan (and trim) come together at the corners using 45 degree cuts. It's very light. With the framing lumber, you could attach the endclips for the lighting right to it.

 

[Matak]

BK: Very nice setup indeed. I like the idea of the triangle side pieces as they will lighten the hood when lifting. Pretty svelt looking too! I use a piano hinge on my current tank and yes, they are the way to go for light hoods. About the hinge placement; do you mean to hinge it between the 4' and 3' tubes? If so, I think that the corners of the hood (at the widest point) would hit the wall when opened. I might go for a triple hybrid of ideas presented, using your triangle side & piano hinge idea.

It's all coming together in my mind. Call it Cranial Adhesion. :idea2: