Canopy Questions

[davehead86]

I have a few questions regarding a canopy on my 65g tank.

Im in the process of putting it all together and am trying to problem solve as much as possible right off the bat. So Ive been stumped by a few questions ...

1. Canopies on tanks. Do the tanks really hold the weight no problem? I know the canopy doesnt weigh that much, but it is extra weight on the top of the tank. I have a brace in the back that I CAN screw into the wall, but that sounds like a pain if I need to remove canopy for tank maintenance.

2. Hanging lights. This is driving me CRAZY. Ive dug through so many threads on here its making my head spin. There are several questions regarding this.

2a. How fast does zinc plated steel rust in a canopy environment?
2b. Do i need fans on a canopy running LED's. The lights have fans, I bought some louvered covers for air flow. Two on the side and one on the top. Is that enough?
2c. I have a very limited amount of space to work with. EcoTech recommends 8 inches between the fixture and the water and two inches between it and the top of the canopy. 12 total inches inside the canopy. SO ive got basically no room to work with. I was thinking about getting some of the rings that people use for keys and keychains and having 4 total of them on each light. And connecting them to some eye bolts that go through the canopy lid with bolts and washers on the top. The light weighs 3 pounds so the weight isnt a problem in my mind (should it be?). Is this possible?
2d. They sell stainless steel keyrings would it be worth the small extra investment?

3. The canopy was made by a cabinet maker (did a great job). They finished it for me and put poly on the entire thing. Is that enough in a canopy to prevent moisture problems? Should I sand the inside and paint it with primer instead?



Please help. The more options and opinions the better!

 

[reelfreak]

Check out thread I just posted...

Go all stainless for hardware

 

[davehead86]

Check out thread I just posted...

Go all stainless for hardware

I did. It doesnt really answer too many of my questions. But I enjoy seeing how you added the T5 to the tank. Nice canopy.

I appreciate the info on going all stainless. Im thinking that would def be the best option for hardware inside the canopy.

 

[reelfreak]

I recommend adding fans if possible, my system dropped almost 4 degrees just from the two fans.

Good luck with the build!

 

[davehead86]

I recommend adding fans if possible, my system dropped almost 4 degrees just from the two fans.

Good luck with the build!

What kind of fans did you add? How did you wire them? Links or a build thread specifically for the fans that you followed.

 

[reelfreak]

I used AC INFINITY fans I got from Amazon, they plug right into 120v. I run mine with my controller based on temp. The fans I used are low speed models and more quiet.

https://www.amazon.com/AC-Infinity-AXIAL-Muffin-Cooling/dp/B009OWVUJ0/ref=pd_sim_60_1/189-2354413-1959955?ie=UTF8&dpID=511xqhXIiVL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL320_SR320%2C320_&refRID=BXHR8C6SWKGRRF3XKE79

I didn't follow any threads, just decided I needed to exchange more air in the canopy to help cooling. I dropped from 86 on bad days to 82 on the worst....average around 80.5 though.

 

[scuzy]

I have standard PC fans in series with a small wall plug. One pull and one push. Push outside air out and pull inside air out on the other side. Drops the temp by alot when I had a enclosed canopy last couple of years.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[JBradford]

I've got a question. I've gone back and forth on a canopy for my 90gal. And I keep getting swung to no because of the heat issues and needing fan and such. But then I was thinking about an open top canopy. It would still give a nice finished look, be slightly lighter, but still be able to let all the heat escape because it would have no top.

Is this really a good idea or am I missing something?

 

[davehead86]

I've got a question. I've gone back and forth on a canopy for my 90gal. And I keep getting swung to no because of the heat issues and needing fan and such. But then I was thinking about an open top canopy. It would still give a nice finished look, be slightly lighter, but still be able to let all the heat escape because it would have no top.



Is this really a good idea or am I missing something?

The only reason I'm not doing an open top is because of light spillage. If that doesn't bother you then go for the open top.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[reelfreak]

Agreed on light spillage...I love my canopy for that reason vs systems I've had that allowed spillage.

2 4" fans handled my issues with heat

 

[JBradford]

I don't mind the spillage up. I don't like sitting down looking at my tank and being blinded by T5s. But I figured if I do this project I'll add in provisions for the top incase I decide it's needed.

 

[davehead86]

1. Canopies on tanks. Do the tanks really hold the weight no problem? I know the canopy doesnt weigh that much, but it is extra weight on the top of the tank. I have a brace in the back that I CAN screw into the wall, but that sounds like a pain if I need to remove canopy for tank maintenance.


2c. I have a very limited amount of space to work with. EcoTech recommends 8 inches between the fixture and the water and two inches between it and the top of the canopy. 12 total inches inside the canopy. SO ive got basically no room to work with. I was thinking about getting some of the rings that people use for keys and keychains and having 4 total of them on each light. And connecting them to some eye bolts that go through the canopy lid with bolts and washers on the top. The light weighs 3 pounds so the weight isnt a problem in my mind (should it be?). Is this possible?


3. The canopy was made by a cabinet maker (did a great job). They finished it for me and put poly on the entire thing. Is that enough in a canopy to prevent moisture problems? Should I sand the inside and paint it with primer instead?

Still need answers on these questions!

 

[reelfreak]

IME

1) no problem with weight... My 125 hood weight causes no issues

2) sounds okay plan. Any way to make an angle bracket possibly out of aluminum flat bar?

3) poly should be decent, I opted to paint the interior of my recent build with exterior grade paint. If poly was exterior grade I would expect it's fine

HTH

 

[davocean]

Tank will hold the weight no problem.
What I did on my canopy is leave the top of it open, that gives me more room for lights and it breathes, my lights just sit on a cleat inside the canopy, I can adjust them to whatever height, and I have no light spill issues this way.
The gold colored/zinc coated screws are what I always use, and I usually do a clear coat when I finish canopy and make sure those are sealed, they hold up just fine.
I use minwax fast drying poly, holds up great

 

[davehead86]

IME

1) no problem with weight... My 125 hood weight causes no issues

2) sounds okay plan. Any way to make an angle bracket possibly out of aluminum flat bar?

3) poly should be decent, I opted to paint the interior of my recent build with exterior grade paint. If poly was exterior grade I would expect it's fine

HTH

I dont want to spend money on that. I dont have a cheap setup but that seems like an expense right now that would be better put somewhere else on the tank (doser / new sand bed / another fish). The light rack could be built later when I add linear actuators to lift the canopy. :bounce3::eek1:

Tank will hold the weight no problem.
What I did on my canopy is leave the top of it open, that gives me more room for lights and it breathes, my lights just sit on a cleat inside the canopy, I can adjust them to whatever height, and I have no light spill issues this way.
The gold colored/zinc coated screws are what I always use, and I usually do a clear coat when I finish canopy and make sure those are sealed, they hold up just fine.
I use minwax fast drying poly, holds up great

Thanks for the info!!!!!:wave:

 

[davocean]

This is one I built for a local reefer near me, very typical of my canopy builds, just a face wrap left open on top and typically I crown it to give some pretty and also to hide any lights that might sit high.
You can see the double cleats, lower sits on tank, upper the lights sit on top of.
This one I also added a piano hinge for a front door per request, I don't do that a lot but it's an option.

 

[rovster]

Nice work Dave. Any pics from the top or with the hood open? Thanks!

 

[davocean]

^^ Thanks, not on this particular one, built it for someone else, snapped a quickie and that was last I saw of it.

 

[davehead86]

Im glad that Poly will work just fine. I wasnt really looking forward to sanding and painting the inside canopy. :lol: