Canopy ideas??

jbird0420

jbird0420

Active member
I'm going to get a 180g AGA reef ready tank. It's going to be my main reef tank. I plan on installing 2x 250w Mh's and 4x VHO actinic's. That should be enough light. If I need to get another 250w MH, then so be it.

I need some canopy build ideas. I want something that easily accessable to do tank maintainence, coral feedings, etc. I was thinking about a flip top canopy or a hanging canopy. I need some ideas and any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

J
 
I would go with a simple flip top canopy and have doors on the ends incase you need to get in the sides. Be sure to install fans for heat
 
Flip top is what I was thinking. I was planning on installing 2x 8inch fans on the side of the canopy. Ill google "how to build flip top canopy". Any sites you can point me to on this type of build??

kcochran0010 said:
I would go with a simple flip top canopy and have doors on the ends incase you need to get in the sides. Be sure to install fans for heat
Click to expand...
 
I built a very simple basic canopy.
Started by making a box that would fit over the rim of the tank. Made a lip on the inside of the box so it would sit down 1-1/2" over the trim.
Cut in 4 doors across the front using the pieces that were cut out and a little 1/4 round trim.
Then I cut the box in half lenght ways and added 4 hinges.
The canopy opens from the front and gives me access to the whole front half of the tank.
Very simple and with the right amount of trim, , , , not too bad.:)
 
Nice! Thanks for the ideas!

mfinn said:
I built a very simple basic canopy.
Started by making a box that would fit over the rim of the tank. Made a lip on the inside of the box so it would sit down 1-1/2" over the trim.
Cut in 4 doors across the front using the pieces that were cut out and a little 1/4 round trim.
Then I cut the box in half lenght ways and added 4 hinges.
The canopy opens from the front and gives me access to the whole front half of the tank.
Very simple and with the right amount of trim, , , , not too bad.:)
Click to expand...
 
I'd go 3x250w for that length, if you went with 2, you would be positioning them right over the braces
 
I figured if I mount the 2 Mh's about 2 feet above the water, it should be enough light. You guys suggest another 250w MH, even at the level I plan on mounting them??
 
The average seems to be around 9" from the water for 250's

Some like it a little higher, some like it a little lower.

I have my 3 x 250 watt mh's on my 6' long tank at 9" above the water.
 
I have the 210g and mounted 3-250 MH and 2 5ft VHO actinics in it. As others mentioned you need 3 so they are not over the center bracelets. Not necessary but keeps shadows at bay from the braces in the tank.Here are a few shots of mine in the build and then finished stages.
I`m not at home but I believe my bulbs are exactly 10" off the water from memory. Canopy is 15" tall total but overlaps the tank 1 1/2" or 2" to hide tanks trim. I have doors in the front as well as the whole top lifts up for maintenance without having to take the canopy off. 4 fans mounted 2 on each end keep things cool inside with all the heat. A few coats of marine enamel keep the inside protected from the salt and moisture

Blue tape is when I was measuring for the VHO placement
IMG_2452Small.jpg


With VHOs in
100_3360Small.jpg


Right after I built it and stand
102_3299.jpg
 
That's a sweet canopy! Great job! :beer:
What did you use for the frames 2x2's and sheet board??

Phyxius said:
I have the 210g and mounted 3-250 MH and 2 5ft VHO actinics in it. As others mentioned you need 3 so they are not over the center bracelets. Not necessary but keeps shadows at bay from the braces in the tank.Here are a few shots of mine in the build and then finished stages.
I`m not at home but I believe my bulbs are exactly 10" off the water from memory. Canopy is 15" tall total but overlaps the tank 1 1/2" or 2" to hide tanks trim. I have doors in the front as well as the whole top lifts up for maintenance without having to take the canopy off. 4 fans mounted 2 on each end keep things cool inside with all the heat. A few coats of marine enamel keep the inside protected from the salt and moisture

Blue tape is when I was measuring for the VHO placement
IMG_2452Small.jpg


With VHOs in
100_3360Small.jpg


Right after I built it and stand
102_3299.jpg
Click to expand...
 
I used poplar for the frame work and I think it was 1x3s and then a few 1x4s on each end and the middle front. I got all wood from Home Depot and then the outside sheeting is Oak veneer plywood. The doors as well as the trim pieces are all solid oak. You can pretty much do it with any wood you want. I used oak since all our furniture in the fish room are oak also.
 
Sweet! If you get an opportunity, please post some pics for me.

Phyxius said:
I used poplar for the frame work and I think it was 1x3s and then a few 1x4s on each end and the middle front. I got all wood from Home Depot and then the outside sheeting is Oak veneer plywood. The doors as well as the trim pieces are all solid oak. You can pretty much do it with any wood you want. I used oak since all our furniture in the fish room are oak also.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
Thanks for all the input guys! I know which design I'm going to go with. :) Ill post pics of the build when I start the project within the next week...
 
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