Anyone know of any custom canopy builders?

[fast88mustanggt5pt0]

Hey whats up people? I am about to set up my oceanic 175 gallon bowfront reef tank and I was wondering if anyone knew of any local or even bay area canopy builders that could possibly make one for my tank. I was originally going to get the oceanic canopy but it is made of plastic and I worry about it melting since I am planning on getting 3 400 watt Hamilton MH. The canopy price on that is over 200 but a quote I just got from a local fish store gave me a quote of 835 plus tax for a custom canopy which seems pretty pricey. If anyone knows of somewhere where I could get a wooden canopy for my tank, please let me know. Thanks!

 

[kevin95695]

Like a sleeve w/open top? Or something covered that opens and closes?

 

[fast88mustanggt5pt0]

I would like a wooden canopy with doors in it that open and close.

 

[kevin95695]

I think your expense comes from the fact that it's a bowfront and you'd be (at minimum) bending plywood or some other more complicated process to conform to the radius of the tank. There are less expensive ways to get the job done, but they would not conform to the geometry of the tank.

 

[MelodyCorals]

I built a canopy for my 90g Oceanic bow front. It really wasnt too bad, and looks decent. I learned a few things - like be sure to use adequate stand-offs for your MH (or your top will warp). The basic idea is you dont want to bend anything around the structure, just cut the "bow" shape out of a solid piece of wood for the top, and then attach wooden "slats" (like a fence) coming down from it. I'm sure a picture is worth a thousand words here, so let me know if you want a picture or something and I'll see what I can find.

-- Josh

 

[kevin95695]

Pic Josh, pic.

 

[MelodyCorals]

I'll try and get some pics tonight. I'm at work until fairly late, but should be able to find something from when I was making it (maybe).

-- Josh

 

[MelodyCorals]

Ok, so I have not totally forgotten, but I also cant seem to find any of my pictures during my build phase. The digicam is on the fritz, and general life getting the way - If your still interested in some pics then let me know and I'll see if I can figure out why my camera refuses to send pictures to my computer and try and post this weekend.

-- Josh

 

[fishnerd]

Aaron

you work at a fish store and you still have to look elsewhere

 

[matttaylor]

I can get you in touch with my friend who is making mine. He is amazing and can do almost anything. PM me if you're interested. I told him he might be getting some business from my canopy build, and he's all for it.