Fold-a-way canopy

[DeepBlueSea]

Wasn't planning a canopy of this tank but too much light floods the room.

Came up with this design.

Front panel slips off. Side panels attached to back wall and can fold out to the sides when i need full access to the tank.

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[fishbox]

I like it

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[4nReefer]

Wasn't planning a canopy of this tank but too much light floods the room.

Came up with this design.

Front panel slips off. Side panels attached to back wall and can fold out to the sides when i need full access to the tank.

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Wow this is awesome... I've been trying to figure out haw to come up with a design to fix this issue... do u mind if I use this?

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[DeepBlueSea]

Wow this is awesome... I've been trying to figure out haw to come up with a design to fix this issue... do u mind if I use this?

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It's patented. Going to cost you[emoji6].

I'm still trying to figure out the front panel. Originally I was going to use high power earth magnets but now I'm thinking of cutting some wood in away to create a latch and hook. I'll post some photos once it's complete.


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[DeepBlueSea]

PS - I used Marine grade stainless steel hinges and screws.

This is painted with TotalBoat Wet Edge Topside paint.


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[4nReefer]

The latch and hook does sound easy,easy to disassemble also should you need to. Please keep us posted... i'll have mine up once it's completed.

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[Mickey]

This looks great. I've been struggling to come up with a better design than the canopy I have. This one has real possibilities. Interested in seeing how you end up attaching the front panel. Mine will need to be 6 ft long.

I have a feeling lots of folks will "borrow" your idea.

Mickey

 

[DeepBlueSea]

Went with this simple design to hang the front panel to the sides. Have another idea to actually pull it all together. If I do it, I'll post an update but this is working nicely.

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[Vinny Kreyling]

Sometimes the simplest design is the best.
If I may make a suggestion--
I would use the white (plastic) board you find @ HD or Lowes to avoid swelling from moisture.

 

[ReefsandGeeks]

How do you keep the side panels from swinging outward and dropping the front pannel when closed up? My fear, at least the way it looks to me, would be someone bumping the side panel, then the front dropping down as the support is pulled away. Maybe have the bevel cut so the weight of the front panel also pulls in the side panels?

Very elegant solution to having full tank access with a canopy, by the way. I've thought of having a canopy on rails with a counterweight or one that hangs from the ceiling and would be lifted by a motor, but never pursued any of those type designs because they just seem cumbersome and possibly prone to some sort of mechanical failure. you're seems like it has potential to be pretty bullet proof.

 

[aaronpentz]

He would only have to cut the same pattern as the lower hook only an inch taller. Then screw to the existing hook aligning the bottom and front sides. This would stop the top hook from falling off the lower hook because of a side load

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[AcroSteve]

Nice solution for the low ceiling.

Here is mine with the side panel removed for some ideas if anyone is interested. It is held on by rare earth magnets.

The front is removed in that pic, but is hinged up.