Show off your custom canopies!!!
- Thread starter bigdeeezy
- Start date
This is the one I built for my old 125. I no longer have this tank or canopy but it worked perfectly. I never liked doors or tops that had hinges, I never wanted them to fall or pinch me. Most doors or hinged tops restrict movement around the tank. I designed mine to have sliding panels that completely lifted out yet looked finished when installed.
The next canopy I build will be of this design as well.
Panels inserted...
Panels off...
Partially lifted...
The next canopy I build will be of this design as well.
Panels inserted...
Panels off...
Partially lifted...
Bud's Reef
New member
I have an Oceanic Tech 120 that I will be starting a stand and canopy for next week. I have a pretty good idea of the basic design for the canopy, but I'm not sure where/how to put in the 6 T5s so that I can still get into the tank when necessary and to change the bulbs or clean the reflectors. How are you guys doing that?
fishdave739
Premium Member
Here's how I did mine. Had to go this route with very little head room. Next plan is to pimp it electronically with a remote!
george1098
New member
here's mine so far. all i need to do to finish the canopy is build the door.
http://i21.photobucke
t.com/albums/b254/scubascott1098/fans.jpg
http://i21.photobucke
t.com/albums/b254/scubascott1098/fans.jpg
mhummel
New member
I had to build this stand since we've move into an appartment temporarly. Haven't had time to take a pic since everything is cleaned up. I still have to make the back part to cover the overflow box and wires.
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/81027stand2.jpg
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/81027stand1.jpg
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/81027stand2.jpg
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/81027stand1.jpg
superedge88
New member
Here is my T5 canopy on my 4 foot 150 gallon aquarium
The last pic is of the canopy without the T5 reflectors and bulbs in it when I was still working on filling the tank and doing maintenance (reason why the area is so very messy) I designed the canopy and a local friend helped me build it (though he did 95% of the work
)
The last pic is of the canopy without the T5 reflectors and bulbs in it when I was still working on filling the tank and doing maintenance (reason why the area is so very messy) I designed the canopy and a local friend helped me build it (though he did 95% of the work
)
dogstar74
Premium Member
George, that is a nice canopy. I hope that you have vented the Ballast for your lights though. It looks like it's mostly sealed around the ballast, and with the insulation to boot. They can easily get hot enough to melt that insulation and cause real problems. I'd put a small fan and vent over it somehow to draw the heat off of the ballast. It will probably at least extend the life of the ballast. and at most, prevent a fire!
Good job on the canopy though!
Good job on the canopy though!
ctreefer
New member
Here's a canopy for a 180 I'm building. Its still in the works, but the general idea is done. The doors are sliders so they don't interfere with the living space (stand was done the same way) and 2/3s or the top lift up for access to tank. The lights (6 T5s (fauna marin) are on a drawer style track and can slide all the way back for access and likewise as the image shows they can be brought forward where the track opens and allows the unit to be placed facing you for bulb replacement. There will be some holes drilled for fans and a latch to secure the light fixture for bulb change.
[/IMG]
original kuhli
New member
Here are some images part way through the finishing process, it doesn't really do it justice, the solid cherry came to life when it was finished. This is for freshwater so the heat in the hood isn't as bad.
I was frustrated with having to reach over the front of the canopy so I built this design, my arm can reach the deepest corners of the tank--without standing on my tippy toes. I also built the stand the correct height to ensure this.
![url]](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2F%5Burl%5Dhttp%3A%2F%2Flh5.google.com%2Fcolin.dale.anderson%2FRn2cOHG3IFI%2FAAAAAAAABDI%2FWdhuIQ27ziI%2Fs800%2FP6230019.JPG%5B%2Furl%5D&hash=b9b421d195f2b11eed49b4663df8d78e)
I was frustrated with having to reach over the front of the canopy so I built this design, my arm can reach the deepest corners of the tank--without standing on my tippy toes. I also built the stand the correct height to ensure this.
Bud's Reef
New member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11523725#post11523725 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ctreefer
Here's a canopy for a 180 I'm building. Its still in the works, but the general idea is done. The doors are sliders so they don't interfere with the living space (stand was done the same way) and 2/3s or the top lift up for access to tank. The lights (6 T5s (fauna marin) are on a drawer style track and can slide all the way back for access and likewise as the image shows they can be brought forward where the track opens and allows the unit to be placed facing you for bulb replacement. There will be some holes drilled for fans and a latch to secure the light fixture for bulb change.
[/IMG]
Nice job! I'm working on my stand now and will tackle the canopy afterward and am still unsure how to mount the 6 T5s. Can you show some close ups of exactly how you have them mounted? What is the balck material yours are mounted on? Where are you putting the ballasts? Where are you putting the fans and how many? Thanks for any specifics and help!
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