DIY canopy? What do I need to know?

[shane 1111]

i Going to try to make a simple canopy.What do I need to know as to what materials (stain, hinges, etc).
the tanks measurements are: 36"L x 18"H x 18"W
i have never worked with wood before. how high should it be.

 

[kstuart]

You can look at this link to see how I did my canopy, its a stick frame with thin ply over top of it. A canopy that size i suggest doing it the same to save on weight unless you got a friend handy if you need to take it off

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=681493&perpage=25&pagenumber=1

 

[theevoys]

Here is a VERY simple canopy that I made. I used 1 x 12 poplar for all the sides and a 1 x12 + 1x3 poplar for the top. I then used a 1 x 1 inch peice of poplar for the trim along the inside. I left the back open to let out heat and for equipment since I do not yet have a sump. It worked very well. The 1 x 3 on top is screwed across the top so it keeps it together while the lid opens and shuts freely. Do not forget that a 1 x 12 peice of wood is really 3/4" x 11 1/8" since you have never worked with wood. I stained the wood with Minwax prestain, then 2 coats of Minwax Red Mohagony stain, then 3 coats of Helmsman Spar Urethane. I am very please with this ultra simple canopy. Oh, I made sure to use stainless steel screws all the way around the inside and the brackets too (if you can find them). The hinges on top are not stainless, but can be replaced easily if they start rusting. For added measure I put a cost of sillicone over all screws and brakets for a good seal. Added the handle and there you go. Here are my pics.

 

[theevoys]

Oh BTW, the stand is simply a wrap that slides around an iron stand.

 

[adam_not4u]

The first thing you need to know is what kinda lights your going to have... MH require some distance from the suface of the water unless you have a lot of tarter sauce.

Then you need to find out what kinda reflector and what the measurments are so you can have some idea what the inside is going to look like.

I would also start thinking about how you want it to function and maintaining your tank. A lot of people use the typical 1 door opening up others use 2 doors opening to the sides away from each other. Another idea is the hanging pendant.... I used a stationary canopy made from wood 1 door opening up and have my lights(reflector) hanging on the inside so I can easily adjust them off of the surface of the water and for maintance.

Then you want to think of the material you want to use to make it happen.

 

[marino420td]

Here are some pictures of my hood for a tank the same size as yours