75g Canopy DIY

Steve · 10-29-2002, 12:14 AM

After a terrible experience in trying to build a stand for my tank a year ago, I decided to give building another shot. I started to build the frame for my canopy. You probably notice from the pictures that my canopy frame is pretty tall. I needed at least 10" of space b/w the water and the Metal Halide bulbs since I would be lighting the tank with no glass hoods.

Tommorow im going to Home Depot to buy the plywood, anyone have any recommendations on the type of wood to get? Also, if anyone has any suggestions as to better the frame design, please do tell

KyleT · 10-29-2002, 02:54 AM

Have you checked the article on my DIY canopy???

It is a pretty simple design. It is simply a wooden box that is just a tiny bit longer than my tank and tiny bit less deep than my tank so that it rests perfectly without falling off the tank. Then to make sure that I don't accidently knock it off I added a "brace to the back that hangs over the back of the tank and stops it from falling forward.

One side of the box is on hinges then to make it much easier at feedings. I eventually had to add a fan to the hood as the lights were over heating and the ballast blew up unfortunately.

For the wood. I really can't remember what kind it is. it was pretty cheap but pretty strong. Sorry that explaination was exactly the best but that is all I can remember about it. Also I'm sure you know already but you need to find someway to block off the lights from the water. If water evaporates and lands on the bulbs it might explode.

This was kind of a quick reply so I hope that everything made sense and I didn't forget anything!

Feel free to tell me about anything I missed or ask anymore questions.

Kyle!

Steve · 10-29-2002, 03:04 AM

That can actually happen? After seeing so many reef tank canopy's with nothing blocking the bulbs from the water, I assumed it wasnt possibly for evaporated water to harm the bulbs. I did think about that the other day.

The plywood im going to get will cover all sides of the canopy and extend to cover the top trim to the fish tank. That should prevent the canopy from falling off. As always, thanks for the input!

GulfCoastAquarian · 10-29-2002, 01:16 PM

I'd use a high quality plywood such as ash or birch, and then stain it. This stuff isn't as expensive as you might think, especially in 1/8" thickness. You shouldn't need anything thicker than that, with the good bracing and framework you've made. If you're just going to paint it black, I suggest 1/8" MDF. They sell it in those 2'x4' sheets and will paint very smoothly.

As for a glass shield, it is a good idea. Evaporation can't form water droplets fast enough to cause the bulbs to explode, but a splash could. Even if water does evaporate and condense on the bulb surface, by the time the light warms up, the water should burn off fairly quickly. The salt residue it leaves behind is a pain, though. Just make sure and clean the bulbs weekly.
No, the reason for a glass shield is for fish that then to shoot up the water column and splash at the surface. With a fully warmed up MH bulb, a few drops of water could cool a concentrated area in the glass and cause it to break and result in the pressurized Halide gas to explode.

A lot of people do get away without the shields though, and you might as well. Especially if you stay away from Hatchetfish, they splash all the time!

KyleT · 10-30-2002, 12:30 AM

Thanx for clearing that up GulfCoastAquarian. I guess I was misinformed on that issue.

Kyle

Steve · 10-30-2002, 03:00 AM

Heres my update. I bought some plywood 1*4's that conjoin together. I messed up on the trim so now I have to run back to Home Depot tommorow, pick up another piece ($3) and recut it. This is getting more fun each day btw. The top of the canopy will be seperated into two parts, sliced in half. Each part will contain a metal halide bulb and will have hinges on the corners. I will be placing knobs on both of the sections, thus allowing to open the tops up for easy access to the bulbs.

Here is what it looks like so far.

Steve · 11-06-2002, 02:09 AM

Well I just got back from Canada. I started on the hood again. This is taking longer than I thought. All I have left are the top of the canopy, sanding, staining, and putting a finishing coat on it.

KyleT · 11-06-2002, 03:08 AM

So who is the lovely girl??

I mean nice hood!

Kyle

Steve · 11-08-2002, 02:33 AM

Good one fender :hehe:

Two of my fav things in life, my gf and the tank. Dont ask which one I favor the most.

Buck · 11-09-2002, 01:10 PM

That is gonna be a very nice looking hood when you get it all stained Steve... nice job...
Isnt it nice when your gf or wife pitch in and help you out...

My wife thinks Im nuts... heres what I tell her...:P hehe

Steve · 11-10-2002, 03:19 AM

The girlfriend had nothing to do with the building process. She would rather shop and ask me for money. :hehe:

Thanks for the nice compliment =) Next mission, plywood tank..>!

darian · 01-20-2003, 03:46 PM

Fender963 where is your article located for the DIY canopy? i did a search and could not find it. Also why is it that none of the images show up? Thanks Darian

KyleT · 01-20-2003, 09:08 PM

My Hood

10-29-2002, 01:16 PM	#4 (permalink)
GulfCoastAquarian ///M (View User Tanks) PTrader: (5) Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Winston-Salem, NC Posts: 3,555	I'd use a high quality plywood such as ash or birch, and then stain it. This stuff isn't as expensive as you might think, especially in 1/8" thickness. You shouldn't need anything thicker than that, with the good bracing and framework you've made. If you're just going to paint it black, I suggest 1/8" MDF. They sell it in those 2'x4' sheets and will paint very smoothly. As for a glass shield, it is a good idea. Evaporation can't form water droplets fast enough to cause the bulbs to explode, but a splash could. Even if water does evaporate and condense on the bulb surface, by the time the light warms up, the water should burn off fairly quickly. The salt residue it leaves behind is a pain, though. Just make sure and clean the bulbs weekly. No, the reason for a glass shield is for fish that then to shoot up the water column and splash at the surface. With a fully warmed up MH bulb, a few drops of water could cool a concentrated area in the glass and cause it to break and result in the pressurized Halide gas to explode. A lot of people do get away without the shields though, and you might as well. Especially if you stay away from Hatchetfish, they splash all the time! __________________ - Sam P - plantedtanker in limbo - all tanks currently in storage

11-09-2002, 01:10 PM	#10 (permalink)
Buck Moderator (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3) Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Lebanon, CT Posts: 4,939	That is gonna be a very nice looking hood when you get it all stained Steve... nice job... Isnt it nice when your gf or wife pitch in and help you out... My wife thinks Im nuts... heres what I tell her...:P hehe __________________ Buckmanshome.Com

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10-29-2002, 12:14 AM	#1 (permalink)
Steve Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Springfield, Virginia Posts: 46	After a terrible experience in trying to build a stand for my tank a year ago, I decided to give building another shot. I started to build the frame for my canopy. You probably notice from the pictures that my canopy frame is pretty tall. I needed at least 10" of space b/w the water and the Metal Halide bulbs since I would be lighting the tank with no glass hoods. Tommorow im going to Home Depot to buy the plywood, anyone have any recommendations on the type of wood to get? Also, if anyone has any suggestions as to better the frame design, please do tell

10-29-2002, 02:54 AM	#2 (permalink)
KyleT Administrator (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1) Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 1,919	Have you checked the article on my DIY canopy??? It is a pretty simple design. It is simply a wooden box that is just a tiny bit longer than my tank and tiny bit less deep than my tank so that it rests perfectly without falling off the tank. Then to make sure that I don't accidently knock it off I added a "brace to the back that hangs over the back of the tank and stops it from falling forward. One side of the box is on hinges then to make it much easier at feedings. I eventually had to add a fan to the hood as the lights were over heating and the ballast blew up unfortunately. For the wood. I really can't remember what kind it is. it was pretty cheap but pretty strong. Sorry that explaination was exactly the best but that is all I can remember about it. Also I'm sure you know already but you need to find someway to block off the lights from the water. If water evaporates and lands on the bulbs it might explode. This was kind of a quick reply so I hope that everything made sense and I didn't forget anything! Feel free to tell me about anything I missed or ask anymore questions. Kyle!

10-29-2002, 03:04 AM	#3 (permalink)
Steve Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Springfield, Virginia Posts: 46	That can actually happen? After seeing so many reef tank canopy's with nothing blocking the bulbs from the water, I assumed it wasnt possibly for evaporated water to harm the bulbs. I did think about that the other day. The plywood im going to get will cover all sides of the canopy and extend to cover the top trim to the fish tank. That should prevent the canopy from falling off. As always, thanks for the input!

10-30-2002, 12:30 AM	#5 (permalink)
KyleT Administrator (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1) Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 1,919	Thanx for clearing that up GulfCoastAquarian. I guess I was misinformed on that issue. Kyle

10-30-2002, 03:00 AM	#6 (permalink)
Steve Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Springfield, Virginia Posts: 46	Heres my update. I bought some plywood 1*4's that conjoin together. I messed up on the trim so now I have to run back to Home Depot tommorow, pick up another piece ($3) and recut it. This is getting more fun each day btw. The top of the canopy will be seperated into two parts, sliced in half. Each part will contain a metal halide bulb and will have hinges on the corners. I will be placing knobs on both of the sections, thus allowing to open the tops up for easy access to the bulbs. Here is what it looks like so far.

11-06-2002, 02:09 AM	#7 (permalink)
Steve Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Springfield, Virginia Posts: 46	Well I just got back from Canada. I started on the hood again. This is taking longer than I thought. All I have left are the top of the canopy, sanding, staining, and putting a finishing coat on it.

11-06-2002, 03:08 AM	#8 (permalink)
KyleT Administrator (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1) Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 1,919	So who is the lovely girl?? I mean nice hood! Kyle

11-08-2002, 02:33 AM	#9 (permalink)
Steve Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Springfield, Virginia Posts: 46	Good one fender :hehe: Two of my fav things in life, my gf and the tank. Dont ask which one I favor the most.

11-10-2002, 03:19 AM	#11 (permalink)
Steve Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Springfield, Virginia Posts: 46	The girlfriend had nothing to do with the building process. She would rather shop and ask me for money. :hehe: Thanks for the nice compliment =) Next mission, plywood tank..>!

01-20-2003, 03:46 PM	#12 (permalink)
darian Newbie (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 1	Fender963 where is your article located for the DIY canopy? i did a search and could not find it. Also why is it that none of the images show up? Thanks Darian

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01-20-2003, 09:08 PM	#13 (permalink)
KyleT Administrator (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1) Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 1,919	My Hood