canopy design for 75g

[frank10]

I've done some searching and I've seen a lot of different designs for canopies/hoods, but I can't make up my mind. I'm also not sure what lighting to go. I do need it to match my pine stand.

I have a used icecap electronic ballast on it's way along with endcaps. Is hellolights the best place to buy lighting kits?

 

[frank10]

Here is a picture of the stand I want it to match.

I'm thinking of a basic pine box with a front panel that flips up to allow for access.

should I get little strips of pine to simulate doors on the canopy?


<a href="http://img499.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img52712in.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img499.imageshack.us/img499/9029/img52712in.th.jpg" border="0" alt=""></a></font></p>

 

[stugray]

How about this:

With the front open:

And with the top open:

It has 2X 150 W DE MH, & 4X 65 W PC.

Pics of the construction in my gallery.

Stu

 

[frank10]

that's very nice!

are those fan holes on the end?

 

[stugray]

The fans are in the top, the holes in the end were cut to align with the vent holes in the MH fixture that sits inside.

Stu

 

[slowECUdiver]

awesome hood

awesome hood

i too have been pondering constructing a new canopy for my 75 gal. as the current one is bowing from age and humidity...

couple questions on your design and implementation, if you could please:

what types of wood and thickness did you use for that hood? and what stains/paints did you use on the exterior and interior? it looks like the front doors and interior are laminated or something to that affect. your design multiple access points is great, plus it looks very durable.

thanks,
eric

 

[stugray]

The ends are Pine boards glued together HD has them theyre called pine laminate. The rest of the structure was all 1"X2" pine boards ( they are actually more like 1-1/2X3/4" ). I cut the complex piece out with a rotozip.

The tops are real wood paneling. The doors are just pine boards.

The inside was painted with gloss white epoxy spray paint ( known as appliance paint ).

The finish is just your basic oak stain & polyurethane clear coat.

See my galllery for construction pics & details.

Stu

 

[frank10]

what type of lighting did you put in there?

I like the way you have it open. It looks ideal for changing bulbs or other heavy maintenance.

 

[stugray]

It has a dual 150W DE MH ( aquaspacelight I think ) in the back.

The front lights are from an orbit fixture 4X 65 W PC.

Yeah, that's why I did the desgin that way. If I am feeding, I just open the doors. If I need to put my arm in the tank, I flip the top.

Stu

 

[frank10]

I'm going through sticker shock seeing all of the lighting prices.

do you or anyone else have any recommendations on lighting for this setup? I don't know yet what I'll be keeping coral wise.

 

[frank10]

I found this MH/VHO lighting setup

This is on special

aquariumlinght

I'm figuring that I need 2 175 MH

 

[frank10]

How high should I make my hood? Is 10 inches enough?