40 Gallon Breeder stand and canopy

[mmittlesteadt]

I'm new to the forum, but after a brief introduction here, I am starting a thread to show progress on my 40 gallon breeder tank.

I don't have room for a larger tank, so I realize I have to keep the size in mind regarding stocking. I am taking my time with this. While I am accumulating the necessary equipment, I am fixing up a cheap All Glass stand and building a canopy for it.

I already have an Eshopps PSK-100 Skimmer, a BRS 4 stage 75g/D RODI and a dual 3 foot flourescent light fixture. I plan on adding two more LED light strips as well and a powerhead among many other things.

Below is a pic of my refurbed stand and canopy. The stand had no lip around the top edge to frame in the tank bottom, so I added that as well as more trim along the bottom. The canopy does not have a lid to open, but it is very lightweight (though braced) and easily lifts off to work with the tank. The entire stand and canopy will be painted black and then faux finished to look like dark red/maroon granite.

 

[aiq25]

Looks nice! The first canopy I built it has doors that would open but it was a pain to work on the tank because I didn't put any sort of latch to hold the doors open, ended up taking the canopy out. I'm planning a future build and I think I will add a floating canopy with an open top.

 

[mmittlesteadt]

Looks nice! The first canopy I built it has doors that would open but it was a pain to work on the tank because I didn't put any sort of latch to hold the doors open, ended up taking the canopy out. I'm planning a future build and I think I will add a floating canopy with an open top.

My canopy just sits on the frame of the tank and is very lightweight. It's only 10 inches high and made out of 1/2" ply (front and sides...no back) with a light luan top that is braced. Super easy to lift off, feed or do maintenance and put it back on and enjoy.

 

[muttley000]

Nice work, and I love a 40 breeder size myself!

 

[tidus10]

My canopy just sits on the frame of the tank and is very lightweight. It's only 10 inches high and made out of 1/2" ply (front and sides...no back) with a light luan top that is braced. Super easy to lift off, feed or do maintenance and put it back on and enjoy.

in time you will HATE that.. i had 1 tank with a canopy that didnt open up and having to take the canopy anytime i had to do anything (like place a coral, redo rock, WC, clean the glass) just got so annoying i took the top off.. ill never use a canopy moving forward.. just too much honestly...

it looks great though, im assuming you want to paint match it?

 

[mmittlesteadt]

Yes, I've already started painting the faux finish over the black (pics below)...

I doubt I'm going to find it a pain as it weighs about as much as any aquarium lid...it's that light. And really, any work I'm doing in the tank means I'm not sitting there enjoying it anyway. Besides this resides in our living room and needs to look attractive. I should add that I've done this with many freshwater display tanks as well. Maintenance is always going to entail some work on any tank and 10 seconds to lift off a light canopy is hardly much of a bother. I could understand the feeling if the canopy was heavy/bulky but I can carry it with one finger.

Canopy close-up...

Stand at a distance (sans doors)...Note the added trim to the top and bottom of the stand...

 

[muttley000]

I think this looks great, and in many cases complete removal gives you better space to work than something hinged out of the way.

 

[mmittlesteadt]

Thanks.