Canopy build/mod questions.

[GlaringToast]

Hey guys, I'm buying in total 3, 250watt halides to go over my 125g. I have the stock canopy for the tank on there right now, which is obviously not tall enough for the halides. I've been thinking of the options here, I could modify the current canopy, adding probably double the heighth that is there, or build a new canopy.

I guess I'm just wondering what would be the smarter route.
I also need to build some fans into the canopy either way I go. I've heard of people buying 3" computer style fans from radio shack and wiring it to a standard 120v?

Any info on all this would be much appreciated!

Let me know what you guys think!

Also if anyone wants to help my build the canopy if making a new one, that would be awesome.

 

[lockekeyy]

Your mailbox is full now

 

[GlaringToast]

Just cleared, resend.

 

[reefrandy]

fans are ez get a adapter thing what are they called? some one help ,at radio shack or goodwill has a ton and just hool up the 2 wires if you wire it wrong it spins backwatrds ez fix

 

[GlaringToast]

Do you just use computer fans? And just use whatever adapter you're talking about? I suppose you could wire all the fans together through molex connectors then run the main wires to power?

 

[blozzd]

I have combination of 80mm and 120mm fans 6 total fans connected in my canopy. I have a cheapie a/c adapter with an output of 12VAC with 3 amp. Adapter was from Frys.

 

[kcz712k]

take a router to your canopy and route out a nice hole and mount the fan's inside. That would make a really nice install if you have a router

 

[GlaringToast]

Which I just so happen to ....NOT have hehehehe

 

[frontosa_man80]

have this guy build you one. he does some nice stuff.

-jesse

 

[GlaringToast]

HAHAHA yeah, $700 is definitely not the amount I want to spend on the wood that goes on top of my tank.

 

[frontosa_man80]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14685423#post14685423 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GlaringToast
HAHAHA yeah, $700 is definitely not the amount I want to spend on the wood that goes on top of my tank.

not wood, works of art from metal .

-jesse

 

[reefrandy]

the ac adapter is the kind you use for calculator,power drill charger or such they have the big square black plug and 2 wires, hook one to each wire on the fan and your done

 

[kcz712k]

Hey pm me and I can help you out with a hole to put some fans in. Let me know I am in gilbert.

 

[criecken]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14685843#post14685843 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefrandy
the ac adapter is the kind you use for calculator,power drill charger or such they have the big square black plug and 2 wires, hook one to each wire on the fan and your done

I looked into that a few weeks back... problem was finding a computer fan that could take a higher voltage... like 12V.
Then most of the plug transformers I have laying around from battery chargers, etc at converting to DC and the fans are AC, not sure if it matters or not.
I think Frys sells a single computer fan at 12V but that is the highest I have seen... most were far less volts.... so that means finding a plug transformer at 2 or 3 VAC...

Have no idea if I am accurate on my statements, spent 30 minutes with a salesperson at Fry's and he had NO clue... not sure why they put these people in certain departments... but anyway....

I am also looking for answers to the canopy fans problem.

 

[psimitry]

I took an old Sega Genesis power adapter at 11V and it runs like a champ.

 

[GlaringToast]

Heresy.

Harming old video game console accessories is punishable by cake or death.

 

[psimitry]

So what, my choice is OR DEATH??

In truth, I had three Genesises at the time. One didn't work, so I didn't figure it was a big deal if I scrapped one power adapter (Yup - I had three. My original one I got when I was a kid, a second one I bought from Bookmans when it stopped working, and a third (second series one) to work with the CD drive I bought for it).

 

[GlaringToast]

Hehehehe, I'm just giving you a hard time. I collect video games/systems and accessories. I have a wall of games, literally. When people see it they really get to gauge just how much of a nerd someone SO COOL (hahahaha) like me, can be.

 

[GlaringToast]

Okay, well I think the fan aspect of things is covered, does anyone have any advice on the contruction of the canopy? Should modify what I have, or rebuild entirely?

 

[jefathome]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14689317#post14689317 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GlaringToast
Okay, well I think the fan aspect of things is covered, does anyone have any advice on the contruction of the canopy? Should modify what I have, or rebuild entirely?

Not having a picture of your canopy in front of me I cannot make a 100% sure comment but...

I had a similar issue a while back and I kept the TOP of the canopy, but I replaced the 8in sides with 12in sides (in reality they were 11in). If you figure that there is going to be 2-3in that hangs below the glass and 3/4 of an in is reserved for the top piece to fit flush, that gave me 7in clearance.

I also cut openings for 120mm computer fans. I bought a variable voltage adapter (1000ma) and wired 3 fans to it. Two in the back of the canopy blowing in and one on the side blowing out. The great thing about the variable voltage wall-warts is that you can dial the fans up and down depending on the season.