Canopy questions

[kerks01]

I'm planning out my shopping list to build a canopy for my 75 gallon. This weekend I'm hoping to pick up all I need to wire it for T5s. I will be wiring it for 4 bulbs but would like to be able to easily add 2 more bulbs.

I've been looking at different pictures of canopies to decide what would be the best way to design it. In doing so I have come up with a few questions...

How far from the surface of the water should the T5's sit?

How much room in the canopy will be occupied by the ballasts, reflectors, and lights? What is a good height to make sure there is enough room for it all?

I'm sure I will have more questions once I actually get all the supplies I need to start my build. If anyone have pictures of T5 canopies they've made I would be very interested in seeing them. :biggthumpup:

I was at DG's meeting in February and liked the way that was set up but it was my first meeting and I was a little overwhelmed with everything. There was just so much to check out. So, hopefully he will chime in. Thanks everyone!

[Dhummel]

i have my old canopy from my 75 that i can sell to you for $40.00, its made of pine, let me know and i can take a pic for you if your interested.
has 2 doors on the front and the top completely opens up.

[kerks01]

i have my old canopy from my 75 that i can sell to you for $40.00, its made of pine, let me know and i can take a pic for you if your interested.
has 2 doors on the front and the top completely opens up.



I'll definitely take a look at a pic. And, I'd need to know the measurements to know if it would work for T5s.

I had pretty much decided to build my own so I could get exactly what I wanted - but I am willing to look to see if what you have would work for me.

[David Grigor]

How far from the surface of the water should the T5's sit?


In general about 3". The lower you can go with getting water spots and still get the needed light spread the better.

I'd build around 6-8" in height not counting any trim that overlaps the tank or can be taller depending on your design and what make it look proportional to your design. You can always mount the lights lower but hard once it's built to make it any taller.

[kerks01]

If anyone has any pics of their canopies built for T5s that would be great for me to see. :biggrin:

[REEFSTOCK]

I used 1x6"s and feel it works pretty good. If over glass and the hood was going to slip over the edge I would go with 1x8"s

[spsick]

I posted some pics of my canopy somewhere on here recently, I feel it was my finest craftsmanship.

[kerks01]

I posted some pics of my canopy somewhere on here recently, I feel it was my finest craftsmanship.

Was it posted in this thread about full tank shots?

http://www.tcmas.org/forums/showthread.php?p=84645#post84645

If so, all I see is the red X. :cry: Or, did you post it farther back? I'll keep looking.

[spsick]

nope, but I assume the red x is because we lost all of our pics with the update :(

I'll find em

[kerks01]

nope, but I assume the red x is because we lost all of our pics with the update :(

I'll find em

That would explain alot. I'm finding alot of red X's trying to find pics. :grr:

[spsick]

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p245/benandgi/DSCN08060356.jpg

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p245/benandgi/DSCN08050355.jpg

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p245/benandgi/DSCN08030353.jpg

Obviously it wont need to be so tall if you're doing all t5, but I think its a good format.

[Dhummel]

I'll definitely take a look at a pic. And, I'd need to know the measurements to know if it would work for T5s.

I had pretty much decided to build my own so I could get exactly what I wanted - but I am willing to look to see if what you have would work for me.

heres the one i have, the canopy fits snug over the top.
my canopy for my 110 is almost identical to spsicks only the top opens different, same lighting.

[kerks01]

heres the one i have, the canopy fits snug over the top.
my canopy for my 110 is almost identical to spsicks only the top opens different, same lighting.

Do you know the exact measurements of it? Do you happen to know how it was finished - any signs of water damage, would it need another coat of anything, etc.

I'm definitely interested. I have not done any sort of woodworking in many years (and I don't know if high school shop classes count). It would be nice to have something that I don't have to do much to. Then I can do some small projects before I do a stand and canopy for anything I want to really look nice.

[Dhummel]

there is no water damage to the outside, i think i stained it with a light stain, the inside has wear from the salt water, but i never saw it with it closed, i do have a stand that i built for the tank also, the tank is actually sitting on it, now for sale as well.