Canopy Build Question

[BiscuitSlayer]

I am getting ready to build a stand and canopy for a 75 gallon tank. This is going to be a great project and I am really looking forward to starting it some time today. I have a pretty decent design (in my head).

Here is what I am shooting for:

I am going to use either 4 or 6 55W kits. If I use 6, 2 of them are going to be for actinics which I will use for a dawn/dusk effect.

My question is:

How far from the water should I try to aim for to mount the lights to the inside top of the canopy.

My design is going to be rather complex for the canopy, so going tall won't be a problem. I am just not sure how far from the water (or how high) the canopy should be.

[Sponsors]

[Buck]

Mine is 9" off the top of the tank on my 75G. My dad actually built it for me while I am re-modeling my kitchen. Only so many hours in a day ya know. It is a pretty kool design he did for the lid allowing a lot of open work space when open. Its a simple design too. If you would like a pic I can post one for ideas.

[Buck]

Just took a couple photos.
He did a 4" setback in the top and hinged it. That little bit is very helpful when working in the tank. Its all made of pine and leaves room for 2 rows of lights if you like.
Good luck on your project.

[Buck]

BTW, that 9" dimension we used is from the lip of the tank to the bottom edge of the canopy top so the lights actually remain 9" from the water after fixture drop when mounted and the actual water level...heh, before evaporation !
There is also a 1 1/2" vent gap along the entire rear top edge for heat/air exchange.

[BiscuitSlayer]

Thanks a lot Buck! That is what I am looking for. Is that an AHS kit your using in your canopy?

You said there is only room for 2 rows of lights? Not 3? I wanted one row (if possible) for some actinics (just for show). I didn't want to bork the light dispersal in the tank though because of the actnics.

[hpt84]

I did mine differently. I use 2 48in shop light.

here is a picture of it opened

Mine is kinda low, but i use glass to block off the moisture.

[samckitt]

Here is my setup:


The two pieces that make up the hood are 6" & 4", so inside cover to top of tank is about 9". I have 2 55w lights from AHS mounted to the lid & 2 mounted to a crossbar that are about 1" from the top of the tank to the lowest point.

I drew up my plans in Unigraphics NX. If you need some help drawing it out, let me know.

[Buck]

Originally Posted by BiscuitSlayer

Thanks a lot Buck! That is what I am looking for. Is that an AHS kit your using in your canopy?

You said there is only room for 2 rows of lights? Not 3? I wanted one row (if possible) for some actinics (just for show). I didn't want to bork the light dispersal in the tank though because of the actnics.

Yup its AHS lighting. There is plenty of room for 3 rows even with the 4" inset lid like I have. I only said 2 because I wouldnt imagine running 3 rows ! I am only running 2 -55W bulbs on this tank...I like my tanks easy now but there is room for more lights should I ever get the bug to power it up again. As a matter of fact they are all ready sitting in the barn all dusty.
This canopy my dad did is actually made of multiple pc's of 1x6 pine glued together, the guy is good. The seams are almost invisible!
The same thing can be done even easier with a nice piece of 3/4" finished plywood too but my dad loves a challenge and hates the word "plywood"...he says plywood is for doghouses, wood is for furniture, heh.

Originally Posted by hpt84

Mine is kinda low, but i use glass to block off the moisture.

That is why I use a taller canopy, I hate glass tops. They are an annoyance to clean and you lose so much light. I do not mind evaporation because I change the water so often anyways.

The best part I like about my dads design he did is that I can reach into the bottom of the tank easily. The 4" offset lid stands alone and leaves room for your shoulder when you stand sideways. No arching over the side.
I told him he should build them to sell to help offset his oil bill and get him back in the workshop. He retired over 15 years ago and that pension dont go as far anymore.

[jinx©]

Thats a nice design Buck, kudos to your dad!

Plenty of work room while still having the light going to the tank to see by instead of in your eyes like alot of canopys...lol

[Buck]

I like a canopy, its a more directed light.
Pendant lights look hi-tech but they light up the entire room with it.

[BiscuitSlayer]

Thanks a lot guys. You have provided me with some great pictures, ideas, and comments. I have bought the majority of the materials to build the stand except for the trim pieces that I am going to use. Once I start building it, I am going to start a build journal as well.

One last question about the lighting in the canopy:

Does anyone think that there will be a problem with putting the 6 55W fixtures in the canopy with one row being actinics for fish colors and a dawn / dusk effect. The one thing that I am concerned about is messing up the light dispersal by throwing in the one middle row. I am concerned that the plants won't have good light coverage from the back and middle row.

Make sense? I might be overly concerned, but I don't want to go an buy more lighting than whats actually necessary. Any more imput on this would be greatly appreciated.

[jinx©]

If I'm following you right, you could always try switching the actinics to the middle row if that were the case couldnt you?

[BiscuitSlayer]

Originally Posted by jinx©

If I'm following you right, you could always try switching the actinics to the middle row if that were the case couldnt you?

Not sure if your following me Jinx.

My plan is to have one row of regular bulbs in the front row (either 10000K or 6700K) then have a row of actinics in the middle, and then a row of regular bulbs in the back. My concern is that the front and rear rows would be too far to the front or rear of the tank and light would not get to the middle as well because of the row of fixtures in the middle for the actinics.

Make sense?

[BiscuitSlayer]

Originally Posted by samckitt

Here is my setup:


The two pieces that make up the hood are 6" & 4", so inside cover to top of tank is about 9". I have 2 55w lights from AHS mounted to the lid & 2 mounted to a crossbar that are about 1" from the top of the tank to the lowest point.

I drew up my plans in Unigraphics NX. If you need some help drawing it out, let me know.

Samckitt -

That is a gorgeous canopy and execution from sketch to physical form. My plan is going to be a little bit like yours but a cobination of Buck's as well. I am also going to build the canopy similar to some of the reef tank canopies that I have seen with cabinet doors on the front face of the canopy.

If I could articulate what is into my head to have you draw up a sketch that would be amazing. Right now, I just have what I want in my head and nowhere else except for the frame of the stand which someone posted pics of the other day in another thread.

Top drawing in this permapost:

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/di...tml#post543291

The build of my canopy is all in my head as well as the skinning of the stand and trim and finishing work. I think it will be a unique and attractive stand though.

[Buck]

The AHS reflectors will compensate fine with front and back rows only, I wouldnt worry about it much. If it were cheapo reflectors you were using it might be a concern though. But you are not...