New canopy almost complete

[DarG]

I started building a new canopy last weekend. Alot of work, it's almost finished. It's all aluminum. Frame is complete, covers are complete and all that is left is the wiring. I took a few pictures during the building process. The two here show the frame with ballasts installed, ready to be wired up. I'll install the end caps last. It will contain 2 X 250 watt DE halides on ARO ballasts and 4 x 54 watt T5 on Advance ballasts. Also, 8 white and 8 blue led moonlights. The top of the canopy is perforated for one fan. The sides of the top of the canopy will be open and that area, "the tunnel" is larger than necessary and I think the one fan will keep things cool enough. If not, I'll install a clip on fan to blow air through the "tunnel".
Always wanted to build an all aluminum canopy with everything self contained. Finally did it.

 

[Justin James]

Looks pretty snazzy. I use the same ballasts. Keep us posted with new photos.

 

[DarG]

Thanks. Should have mentioned that the tank is an in-wall. This canopy will not hang where it is seen.

 

[DarG]

Heres one of the LED Panels. There are two. The cutout is for the halide reflectors.

Something I didnt feel was optimized with most combo fixtures was that both the bottom of the halide reflectors and T5's were at the same level putting the halide bulbs only a couple inches above the T5's just due to their being recessed in the small reflectors. The Halide bulbs in this canopy will sit about 4.5" above the bottom of the T5 bulbs. So when the T5's are where they should be at 4" or 5" above the water, the Halides will also be within their proper height at about 9" above the water.

 

[Justin James]

Very nice. Looks like you put alot of planning and work into this. What would you say the whole thing would weigh?

 

[DarG]

I'm not sure how much it weighs. We dont have a bathroom scale of any kind. Guessing though, with the ballasts and everything I would have to guess somehwere in the 20 - 30 pound range. Probably the mid - upper 20's. It's not very heavy. I was hoping it would come in somewhere at the 20 pound mark, no more, so I could hang it with those sunlight supply adjustable hangers that hold 22 lbs. for a pair. But I'm thinking it's a little over that.