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sammyinafrica
Mon, 12th Jul 2010, 08:24 PM
I am bulding a hood/canopy for my tank TOMORROW. It is long over due and I may have missed an important part in my planning...

Here is my question:

How should I vent the hood to release some of the heat from my lights?

I thought about leaving a 1-2 inch gap in the back of the hood below the top opne, but did not know if this is enough...

Please give me your feed back.
Thanks!
Mr Cob
Mon, 12th Jul 2010, 08:33 PM
Stock canopies have open backs. That's how I would do it.
kkiel02
Mon, 12th Jul 2010, 08:43 PM
If that isnt enough what about some 4" or so fans to help vent?
sammyinafrica
Mon, 12th Jul 2010, 08:45 PM
Leave the back open...That is a good idea. I want to build mine with a front (and half the top) that opens completely for easy access for cleaning and feeding...I'll have to redesign the hood a bit, for the open back, but that sounds like a good idea.

Thanks
Squiers007
Mon, 12th Jul 2010, 10:42 PM
Mine has the back open and the full front\half top lid, but I still occasionaly have some heat problems in the summer. A lot of it will depend on what temp you keep your house and also what kind of lights you are running. I have t5's that I am overdriving so they get hotter than most, but I also have some computer fans blowing over them. The best thing to do in my opinion is build it so that if changes need to be made (things added or removed) they are easy to do. Just mt 2 cents. Good luck and we would love to see pics when you are finished.
alton
Tue, 13th Jul 2010, 06:23 AM
I run two four inch fans with three 4 1/2" holes in the back and screens covering the holes so no one jumps out. One fan runs 24/7 the other is controlled to turn on at 76 and turn off at 75 degrees. I have 3 - 250w MH and 1 160w VHO and my average temp is 76. The room temp is 75, low temp for aquarium is 75 and high is 77.8. My stand is closed in the back with several 4 1/2" holes drilled with one 4" fan running 24/7 to bring in fresh air down low and escaping through holes drilled on the upper side of the back of the stand. I do go through 2 1/2 gallons of water a day on my 300 on evaporation which helps keep the tank cool.