to cover or not to cover..

[dzones]

I am gathering opinions on the following..

I have 3 pendant style 250w MH lights that I can easily suspend over my new 150. It would make for a pretty easy job on my part as everything is already in place...OR should I use the canopy that matches the tank setup that I already have. I could rig the lights inside the canopy and make that work.
Thing is this..
Years ago i had a canopy over the tank and while it did nicely hide stuff it did become a real pain when I needed to work on anything inside the tank that required a little extra "open room". Meant I had to remove the whole canopy which is a royal pain in the arse when ya got wiring from lights, fans etc. besides, surely they would hold a lot more heat in the tank enclosure requiring more cooling fans.
interested in hearing your thoughts, pros/cons and maybe tell me what style you went with on your setup.. canopy or no?

 

[ducklabdad]

I personally like the finished look of a closed canopy.

But It is a pain in the ars to work on anything as you said above.

Are you more interested in how it looks and how you enjoy the nice finished look without the lights and all exposed, and willing to deal with the additional heat and fans, cooler etc..

Or is it more important to you to have the ease of working on it, and less of a heating issue with it being exposed and being somewhat annoyed at looking at the lights,
pendants etc...

I vote canopy, and so does Robin, and trust me she does get a vote in our house!!

 

[dzones]

The tank is in my office where very few people see so the overall look is not as important as if it were in my living room.
I was leaning towards the open with pendants due to ease of operation. I have a bum shoulder that makes lifting the canopy off when needed (not to mention needing a 2nd person) a little harder.

I was more interested in what people were using and why mainly. Just to get other opinions based on whatever reasons.

thanks for the input.

 

[Reefdiver77]

I have both and much prefer the open top as opposed to the canopy, mainly for the reasons you cited, including a bum shoulder. LOL. Especially with it being in your office and not in a living area.

 

[Rendos]

I am a fan of open top. 240 gallon tank with no need for a chiller due to open top...can't go wrong there.

 

[dzones]

I asked this same question in 3 different forums and other than for looks I don't really see any reason to have a canopy. I know some fish can be prone to jumping but a simply screen or eggcrate would do a better job of containment anyway since most canopy covers are open back.

Seems to me the open top has more pros than cons compared to a canopy.

 

[Mako Shark II]

The canopy is more than esthetics of the room; It also trains your eye and attention on the tank itself, and not the lights. If you don't personally care, leave it open. If you're trying to make a (typical) presentation, close it off.

Issue:
Heat!!

It's my issue! And one which will BE solved by LED's. My tank temp swings because of my MH lighting. I hate it. I can't wait for LED light to come down in price. It's about 6-months away from Modular LED lighting panels!!!! I' so excited!!

If heat isn't your issue, close it up. If presentation doesn't matter OPEN it up!!

But I (personally) like the look of something contained, focusing your attention on the specimens.

As to the access, break out the (bloody!) saw and buy a Stainless Hinge frm Grainger!!!

In my house, it's no worries, Mate!!! That thing is Hinged to the half-way point, I will not be denied access, which you MUST have!!!!!

 

[Mako Shark II]

Open:

Closed:

 

[shirley386]

Wow! have you ever hit your "prop stick" with your elbow while you were working in the tank? :sad2:

 

[Mako Shark II]

That's not a "prop stick".

That's the "Forward Canopy uplock restraining device" ...thingy.

And No! You NEVER bump that one. :eek1:

The tank has been operational for >2-years and I always wanted to fix that, but it never made it to my "...'round to it" List.

 

[shirley386]

I always wanted to fix that, but it never made it to my "...'round to it" List.

Then make sure you're wearing your helmet when you're bending over the tank! :rollface: