uilding canopy..............need help??

[CKreef]

Im going to build a canopy for my 58g and have a few questions. How tall does it need to be? It will house my pc and mh. How far from the water should the lights be? Should the mh have glass to cover it? This tank is open right now...no tops. Also any tips from people would be great. Your pros and cons on ones you have built or bought. How should I build the doors? Iwant to be able to reach in the tank without any hassle. All your comments and suggestions are welcome. THANKS!!!

 

[RevRoy]

I don't have MH but I do Have 384watts of PC lighting I have a canopy purchased from Glass Cages .com it's 9 inches tall wilth the front sliding up and off for access to the tank. it works great and with my lights that high off the water they don't heat up the tank.

I tried bulding my own but it did not work as well or look as good as the one i baught. Though I am not much of a carpenter.

 

[fishdoc11]

At least 12" for height of the canopy and about 8" off the water for the halides. I have been happy with those dimensions. If you make a flip up door make sure it hits part of the canopy and not the tank when you eventually drop it FWIW I am making my new canopy with 2 doors that swing out instead of up so I don't have to use my head and my hands at the same time:lol: Also if you do water changes with a bucket make sure you can pour it in there.
Chris

 

[TitansFan]

My canopy I wish I had done exactly as Doc said with the doors on front. I may go back and modify it to add them. That way I will have the flip top and doors. I used a 4.25 hole saw to do 1 hole on each end and install 2 4inch fans. Also the back is left open to help hot air have away to escape. My canopy is an AGA canopy that I have done a few mods on. I added another 2x4 at the bottom on all 3 sides rounding the edges and such so it looks factory done. This gives me the added height I need.

The glass is really only needed when using double ended bulbs. This is so to block the UV rays. Single ended bulbs have a built in filter to stop the UV. Just be sure the bulbs are high enough to keep splashes away. I use eggcrate to cover the tank. No glass tops as this traps heat.

 

[Mdwannabe]

"Do as I say, not as I do"!
Even single ended MH bulbs can break, and if the do, they do it with a "Bang" and expel various heavy metals (that's the Metal in Metal Halide). Though they are small amounts, none are good, all are poison, not to mention the glass you will have to pick out of the tank(assuming "critters" don't try to get it first).
While I understand the risk, I still run my single ended without a glass shield, thus the "Do as I say not as I do".
Weigh the risk, and make your own decision. That's all I can say about that.
As for doors verses lift up, try what I did, the entire front of my hood lifts with the top. See my gallery for a picture of how this works. I'm not sure I would want to do all the work required through the limited space door's only would provide...JMO. Also, if you go lift up, go with "Fishdocs" recommendation, have the top hit the hood frame when it drops (and it will), not the tank! This has saved me once already, and mine is heavy.

Hope this helps:
Rick

 

[gflat65]

I'm building one right now for a 20L. The canopy is going to be nearly as big as the tank. It hinges and part of the top comes up with the front. Hinging the ends on longer canopies makes sense, too.

 

[fishdoc11]

FWIW I also hang pieces of glass under each halide to guard against splashing but I am paranoid

 

[waynesworld]

Well my brother would say you are not paranoid but smart as he lost a lot of great stuff when he had a light break and stay on and wiped out some large pieces. I had one break and stay on also so I will be putting some glass under all my lights.

 

[fishdoc11]

OK....I like smart better

 

[Mdwannabe]

Why do I feel a McGyver work around coming on

 

[Mikeyjer]

I'm going to have the glass shop cut out a Acrylic UV shield for my new canopy once it gets here. It would be a pain to cut it out since it's for a bowfront.

 

[CKreef]

will acrylic work for an se mh socket or do i need glass if glass what kind