Wooden light canopy

[aeroaustin]

I am planning to do DIY lighting canopy for my 37 gal tank, I am going to put 175 watt MH with 2X96 CF or VHO, I am not decided which VHO or CF that I am want. anyway what is my point, I want to make the canopy for tank, I am think about 1/4 inch of plywood and I wonder if the Reflector of MH and VHO will causing heat the wood? Should I put the heat resitant on the wood then put reflector on the heat resistant? I never has the experience. I have read the forums and mention that 175 watt MH can extremely heat.. so that my assume the reflector can produce the heat on the wood? This is my first time to buy MH with CF or VHO, and also this will be my first reef tank.

my plans is 35X15 and the height of 6 inches. its not rectangle its triangle with hang over. so give me access to tank without open the wood to acess.

I am appericate if any one can help me.

 

[prugs]

You could do something like this.
A canopy hieght of 6" is not enough for MH lighting. You need 6" minimum between the lamp fixture & the water. You want the top to be as open as possible.

 

[mfinn]

Re: Wooden light canopy

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7898307#post7898307 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by aeroaustin
I want to make the canopy for tank, I am think about 1/4 inch of plywood

I would use atleast 1/2" plywood. I think 1/4" is just a little too weak.

 

[aeroaustin]

Prugs, I like your desgins, its look so nice and acess.. my desgin is simliar as pool table overhead. you know what I means. I will show you what is my desgins, currently I am in school. I will pose the picture when I coming home and show it to you.

mfinn, you are right, 1/4 are not strenglth as 1/2 and not support well. I just acting like idiot. I learned the PSI and strength in engineering phsyics and my mind is went out somewhere. :lol: 1/2 birch plywood and some 1x2 strip for holding the reflectors of lights.

ballast of MH and VHO or PC are on the floor with protect cover to preventive from salt and mostiure. wires will insert the electrity plastic PVC to cover the mess and look nice organiztion.

 

[mfinn]

I use IceCap mh and vho ballasts on my 180, so they are small enough and light enough to set on the top of my canopy.
With the height of the stand/tank/canopy being at 6', it is not visable to most people.
I like them up there just because they can not be splashed with water.
And everybody knows in this hobby, no matter how carefull you try to be,"water happens".lol

 

[aeroaustin]

Here the drawing for my wood lighting plans.

I make an mistaken, should be 175 watt Metal Halide. and I would want to have high watts VHO is 95 for 36 inches, instead of 75 watts for 24 inches. so my planning drawing to extend to 36 inch of canopy and about 3 inches over the 37 gal that mesaurement is 30 inches length, so will be total 365 watts of metal halide and two actinic blue.

1) I want to double check to make sure of I want 36 inches canopy and 36 light strip VHO can working on it or have to extend a little more over 36 inches? 365 watts

2) otherwise make 30 inches and have to get 24 inches of VHO 75 watts. and total of 325 watts?

3) to have 2x96 compact floruesent?

Which is your recommend? I am free to any of your idea.. :rollface:

The reflector should be horiztionel or 45 degree angle? I just thought but I think its not might working, it will cause slight off the light poteintal to the tank.

the ballast are from PFO from marine depot.

 

[aeroaustin]

I can't figure how to post the picture of drawing, so I guess will be my best try to post the picture its its goes to post threat # 5

 

[prugs]

I would go with 2 x 150watt HQI's or 1 x 250watt HQI with 14k phoenix lamps. Skip the VHO all together. If you are going with a single lamp. You should look into euro-bracing the top. To get rid of the center brace.

 

[aeroaustin]

Prugs,

You leave the MH for 12 hours? or you using three MH same time? or you turn one is on and other is off, its called rotated the light different place? differ times?

 

[prugs]

I have been doing 3 hours on, 2 hours off, & 3 hours on.