Canopy Build Question

[BiscuitSlayer]

Buck -

I am probably going with a canopy that is about 15" in height in total. My plan was to go with an open back on the canopy to dissapate the heat from the tank.

My question is on the ahs kits. Does light spew out of the back of your canopy with those fixtures? I know you said you have a partial open back. I don't have any experience with the ahs kits yet, so I wanted to get some feedback on this.

[JennysPlanties]

I'm not Buck, but I do have a DIY canopy with AH kits in it.

The reflectors keep most of the light in the tank, however there is definitely some light that come out the back of my partial open canopy. There are pics somewhere in the DIY section of my canopy with the lights on and you can check out how much is thrown back.

The open back does help to keep the heat down, but I do notice up to a 2 degree increase when the lights are on.

Also - 15" seems awful high. Mine is around 10" and there is plenty of room in there for the lights. The way hubby designed it I can keep the lights on and get my hands in the tank at the same time and I never have an issue. I would think that the farther away your lights are, the less light you will get into the water and the more light you will have bounced out the back, but I could be wrong on that point.

[BiscuitSlayer]

Originally Posted by JennysPlanties

I'm not Buck, but I do have a DIY canopy with AH kits in it.

The reflectors keep most of the light in the tank, however there is definitely some light that come out the back of my partial open canopy. There are pics somewhere in the DIY section of my canopy with the lights on and you can check out how much is thrown back.

The open back does help to keep the heat down, but I do notice up to a 2 degree increase when the lights are on.

Also - 15" seems awful high. Mine is around 10" and there is plenty of room in there for the lights. The way hubby designed it I can keep the lights on and get my hands in the tank at the same time and I never have an issue. I would think that the farther away your lights are, the less light you will get into the water and the more light you will have bounced out the back, but I could be wrong on that point.

Thanks for the input JP.

The height of the canopy will be 15 inches, but it is going to come down 2 1/2 to 3 inches to cover the rim of the tank, so that makes the height from the lights to the water about 13 inches. I wanted a taller canopy for three reasons:

1. I like the look of them.
2. I wanted a little more room to be able to get inside the canopy and work on the tank without having to take the canopy off.
3. I wanted the lights to be a little futher away from the tank since I am going to be running so many. My plan as it stands now is to run 330 W with 110W being a middle row of actinics for fish colors and a dawn/dusk effect. I probably won't run them for the entire photo period, but they will probably be on for a short while with the main lights and definately after the mains shut off.


I figure that with the added height of the canopy, it would be similar to running a 90 gallon. I just won't have as much water to penetrate.

I need to find that thread with your canopy. I think I have seen it before, but it would definately help me to visualize how much light comes out of the canopy.

Do you happen to remember if your "partial open back" comes up to the base of the ahs fixture? I'm just curious if I can cut down on the light spewing if I bring the back wall up high enough.

[Johnnnn_h]

Here is my 135 with ah kits
The layout is pretty good the L door shape lets you have plenty of room to work.

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/di...od-canopy.html
and
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/ph...hotos-56k.html

A little off topic but,,, man I need to take a few more pics
the tank has grown out and been totally changed. I am new at this, and plants that were tiny and half dead are overtaking the tank for the third time!
People that come over and get quite amazed,,,,,,,,and those are real???

[Buck]

Originally Posted by BiscuitSlayer

Do you happen to remember if your "partial open back" comes up to the base of the ahs fixture? I'm just curious if I can cut down on the light spewing if I bring the back wall up high enough.

Your plans sound good to me and there will not be a lot of light emitting from there. The AHS reflectors have a 2" drop when mounted so I left a 2" space at the top of the canopy back so no "direct light comes out from there.
As far as the bottom goes , I also have a full width 2" slot cut for filter hoses just in case I want to move some around in the future but to cut back on light coming out that gap could be cut down to an inch and only cut in on the corners if that is what you prefer.
The height will be fine , you will get plenty of penetration since you are running no glass tops like me.
I just took a quick pic just now for you to show light loss with my setup, this is with 2 full 2" slots top and bottom in a dark room.

[JennysPlanties]

My canopy doesn't reach the base of the fixture, it's about 3 inches high. You probably could raise the back higher, but it would cut down on air circulation and maybe make the whole canopy run hotter?

It's a possibility. I suppose you could try it and then if it runs too hot, take down the hood and use a jigsaw to shorten the wall.

[BiscuitSlayer]

Originally Posted by Buck

Your plans sound good to me and there will not be a lot of light emitting from there. The AHS reflectors have a 2" drop when mounted so I left a 2" space at the top of the canopy back so no "direct light comes out from there.

Thanks Buck! Once again, that is exactly what I was looking for. The picture of your tank and your description helps to answer my question.

Your tank looks great by the way!


JP -

I found a good pic of your canopy when it was somewhat dark, and based on the way the pic looks, it doesn't look like it is spewing that much light onto the back wall at all. Your canopy back is pretty much open, so it looks like the ahs reflectors do a fantastic job directing the light down into the tank rather than all over the place.

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/di...tml#post472412

On another note, I checked out your tank thread as of the 12th, and it looks like it has really taken off. The scape looks great!

Did you guys ever wind up using thost DC computer fans for the canopy or is the temp ok?

[Buck]

Originally Posted by BiscuitSlayer

Thanks Buck! Once again, that is exactly what I was looking for. The picture of your tank and your description helps to answer my question.

Your tank looks great by the way!

Liar !
It was out of control and I just did a major hack job on the plants this week. My wife was even teasing me about it !

I wouldnt worry about fans since you are building it tall. If it was lower you would have much less air space in there and it would be necessary. Try it without, if its more heat then you want it wouldnt take anytime to wire a set in as an afterthought.

Besides, It will leave you more money for fun stuff...