Canopy Time

cybball

cybball

New member
I’m starting the canopy build for my 75 gallon. I’m going to try to run 2 x 175 MH and some 65w pc’s from my coralife hood I currently use. I would like a canopy I can access from the front, as the top access will be too tall for me really to get into the bottom of the tank. I’m thinking of using a stainless piano type hinge on the back. Just not sure how to support the lid with lights. Anyone have pics and or plans they could share? If so, I would really appreciate the help. If you could share good inside and out pics, showing how the lid works I can do the rest. This is the last step in my journey.

Thanks,
Jason
 
All I can say is dont get a canopy like mine. There is a lid on the top front half of the canopy, It is fine for feeding the fish, but when I have to work ont he tank, I have to take the whole damn canopy off.

Get one where you can lift the entire top of the canopy up, lights and all.
 
I'll check out the girs site. I need to pull the trigger and get my membership anyway. Procrastination.

I'm not going to by the canopy. I'm actually going to build one and you hit the nail on the head. I want to have one where the face and top lift up (lights and all) to grant me access to the tank and lights without having to take the canopy off.
 
Glaspie's is the exact design I always wanted and would suggest to anyone. Doors on the front for easy feeding and minor stuff, but then the whole top lifts to allow total access.
 
The front of mine lifts along with 6 inches of the sides (if that makes sense) This allows enough room to change lights, frag corals and for me to fit my fat head all the way inside the canopy if needed. From a carpendters standpoint I'm not sure if I would want the "whole" top to open. One you'll be placing a ton of weight on the back pane of the tank, second you chance messing your lights and wires up if it by chance falls or if you happen to catch your wires and break one (this could cause a huge fire). And lastly it's really hard to rig a good stable canopy when the top opens completely, you loose so much of your stablity when you take the top out of the equation. But as always these are just suggestions, it's your tank dude do what makes your toes feel fuzzy, if it doesnt work you can always try again. J
 
canopy

canopy

I just got done with my tank stand and canopy build.And the whole front of mine opens so you could get your whole body in there in need be.But when its closed it looks solid.I am actually thinking of starting a custom stand and tank web site where I build what ever the customer wants,I am building JJ s new stand and canopy for him and am doing brads as well.Check out my gallery.
 
Re: canopy

Re: canopy

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12239111#post12239111 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nielsen2773
I just got done with my tank stand and canopy build.And the whole front of mine opens so you could get your whole body in there in need be.But when its closed it looks solid.I am actually thinking of starting a custom stand and tank web site where I build what ever the customer wants,I am building JJ s new stand and canopy for him and am doing brads as well.Check out my gallery.
Click to expand...

For anyone who hasn't had a chance to check it out, Ryan's stand and canopy are top notch. If you are looking to have someone else build for you, or if you just need some help with ideas, he is definitely worth talking to.


Brad
 
I did post wrong earlier... I meant, I would want the whole FRONT to lift. Ryan, I like your stand as it has one element that Bob (Bullet) always thought a good stand needed. A ledge to rest your beer on while you are feeding the fish!!! :D
 
I really like that design Glaspie. Wow. Ryan, your tank is very nice. Very nice.
I like Glaspie's as it has access doors and doesn't need a "prop" to keep it open.
Are you guys using mainly plywood or a veneer? I wasn't sure how careful I needed to be with weight.
 
Thanks cyball I actually dont use a prop I fold my door up and over and it stays on its own.The reason I didnt go with doors is because it narrows your opening and on a 4 foot tank you need all the space you can get.
 
I purchased a stand and canopy made by All-Glass for my 90g and I am very happy with it. I have the Coralife 2x150w retro and it fits perfectly, I also added fans to the side to help cooling. I stand on a short stool to reach the bottom and also have a set of long grabber tongs. Here's the link:

http://www.aqueonproducts.com/products/modern-series-stands-canopies.htm

Here's my pics:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/52969392@N00/2386473444/" title="DSC04781 by hopper75, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2073/2386473444_ae169bd2a8.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DSC04781" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/52969392@N00/2386468858/" title="DSC04780 by hopper75, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2419/2386468858_4fd9495b82.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DSC04780" /></a>


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/52969392@N00/2385637409/" title="DSC04782 by hopper75, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3001/2385637409_c75d5aed48.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DSC04782" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/52969392@N00/2386470634/" title="DSC04785 by hopper75, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2277/2386470634_42fe488641.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DSC04785" /></a>
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12248761#post12248761 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nielsen2773
Hey Hopper how much did you pay for the stand and canopy??
Click to expand...

It's been 5-6 years since I bought it so I'm not too sure- I think around $300-$400. Just check with any retailer that sells All-Glass (Aqueon) stuff and they could get you a quote.
 
The only reason I ask is that I wanted to buy a canopy for a modern cherry stand that they sell and they wanted 400 plus shipping and the Quality of furniture is junk.I can custom build a stand and canopy out of just about any wood you like and stain or paint it and still be less than if you ordered a stand and canopy for them and you get to design it how ever you like.That why I made my and its all walnut for about 600.in material.
 
I have no problem with the quality of my pieces. My only complaint was the cherry finish was not applied very well, that doesn't matter anymore now that I painted it. If I was to get a bigger tank I would custom my own stand and canopy now that I have all of the tools for the job- at the time I purchased the current stand I was in an apartment with no way to do any type of woodworking.

All in all I like the design of the canopy, just trying to give ideas for the OP.
 
Ya I completely understand I was going to totally buy that cherry canopy but as I looked at my stand and though I could biuld one much better and with shelve and draws and doors for about the same price and it be made out of solid wood and not press board I changed my mind and built my own.But thats what I do for a living.I have just asked alot of people about their stand that they get when they buy a new tank and it seems that most of them use the word cheesie some where in their description.That all biuld a better mouse trap for same money.
 
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