Opinions on my modified hood

[reefdood]

I need to get my bulbs higher off the water. I have a 175w MH and three 3' VHO bulbs crammed to the top of my low profile hood. I went and bought some planks and plan to raise my hood by "doubling" the height with the planks. Below is a before shot and a photoshopped after shot. Pay no attention to the tank's contents. That was last year during the break in period. Tank is empty right now.

Let me know what you think. I'm betting most will find it a good solution, but does it look bad with the two plank look? I could always build another but I'd rather go the easier route with this tank.

 

[bassnman11]

It should work fine. I would glue and screw 1x2 over the joints or use biscuits if you have access to a cutter. Very strong and no screws needed.

 

[smmscott]

Looks great. I like the proportions better.

 

[rsxs1212]

what i did once with a similar joint is filled it in with caulk or you could use wood filler or such and let is dry.. sand it down so it looks level.. then paint it or stain.. im not sure it would stain good in your case but paint works good with it.

 

[reefdood]

I'm going to nail and glue it together, but not to the original hood. I'm making the extension like a ring to fit on the tank rim. Then the hood will fit on the ring with a 1/2" lip on top.

I want to screw my PH brackets and return line to the new piece but still be able to remove my hood when needed.

 

[prugs]

I think the two plank hood goes good with the two plank doors.

 

[Nammy]

Nice work

 

[Divetime]

Reefdood - Just tagging along here. Do you have any pics of your current hood setup with the MH & 3 VHO's? What is the size of existing hood? I may be in the same situation as you. I'm trying to figure out how many VHO's along with 2 MH's I can get in my hood that is 48' x 18'. Take a lot of pics on the height extention & let us know how it works out.

 

[reefdood]

I have pics of my current hood in my gallery, pg. 4. I haven't done the extension yet but am working on it today actually. The tannk hasn't been running since last hurricane season but I'm trying to get it going this week. I'll post new pics of the modified hood when I get it powered up.

As far as bulbs go, I was able to fit (3) 3' VHO tubes with hard endcaps. I just had to use a router and widen the spots inside my hood where the endcaps go by like 1/8" total. I fit a 175w MH longways between two of the VHO's. I had no room at the time for a reflector. This time I'll have the MH with reflector mounted to the top, with the VHO's under it on the lower plank. Get my meaning?

 

[Divetime]

Thanks for the information & best of luck with the upgrade. Take lots of pics for us :beer: We'll be waiting

 

[reefdood]

Today was a busy day but at least I cut and sanded all the wood.

The panel sides which will face out.

The panel inside with other inner pieces.

I'll keep ya updated, hopefully tomorrow between jobs I can get this nailed together and sanded.

 

[reefdood]

Not much accomplished today. Got the sides glued and plan to glue the fronts before bed. I'll use nails after the glue dries.

I ran out of clamps so that's why I have to wait for the fronts.

 

[scrager]

there's no point in nails after glue. the glue will hold it stronger than the nails

typically you would glue and nail as the nails will hold the wood till the gule dries. the glue provides all the strength.

 

[reefdood]

So the liquid nails will hold it well enough under the moisture and heat of a typical humid hood? I was going to nail the inner rails on mainly to help force against any warping. I plan to kills and paint the inside and stain and polyeurethane the outside to match the hood I have.

Anyway here's another progress pic. I KNOW I seem slow but I am doing this in spare time with very limited tools, some passed down by my grandfather.

After the glue dries it's hammer time. At least to nail the front and back onto the sides. Then fill in any gaps where light may escape, then seal and paint.

BTW I constructed it like this to match the hood that goes on top. So I am just using their quality as a guide. :lol:

 

[reefdood]

Test fit. Fits perfectly, everything lines up like I want it to. I'm left with sanding and shaping the edges then seal and paint/ stain.

Now to get used to having a hood as big as my tank. :lol:

Pay no attention to the skull. It's for a hex reptile tank.

 

[Divetime]

:rollface: Reef, that turned out great. Good Job! Are you able to post any pic on what the inside of the newly created canopy looks like. Does your existing canopy just sit ontop of the extention or did you attach them together. Thanks for all the updates :dance:

 

[reefdood]

My existing canopy rests on the extension. I didn't attach it because I plan to hang my powerheads and return line fron the extension. I can then completely remove the hood without disturbing the return or powerheads. I'll get a pic of the inside for the next update. The extension is basicly a hood with no top. But instead of a top there's an inner ring taking the place of an aquarium trim, so that the actual hood rests as normal but on the extension.

 

[BigJPDC]

Did you leave those clamps out in the rain? =)

jp

 

[reefdood]

Did you leave those clamps out in the rain? =)

I didn't but Katrina did.

lol, anyway the clamps are old stuff handed down from my grandfather. One of them even has a wooden handle.

Anyway I should be updating this thread tonight. I had to buy a finishing sander to shape the edges correctly and some digital batteries for my camera.