Help with Canopy Design for 2 250 6 Ft X 18 x 24 Tank

[JesterGrin_1]

Well I found out that 6 Foot VHO's are not really kept now. So I do have a set of 250 Watt MH that I would like to build a Canopy for and use on my tank.

I was thinking of an open top of design to help keep the TEXAS heat down in my Tank?

Thoughts and pictures of designs would be great. :)


Thank You.

[allan]

I would construct a pendant styled canopy to suspend over the tank rather than a canopy.

Canopies accumulate heat, would have to deal with that.

Canopies restrict easy access to reach in and pick up frags or everyday maintenance.

Canopies CAN help prevent your jumpers from jumping outside the tank. Not always, there's always the back end.

Pendants can be problematic to suspend over the tank.

[JesterGrin_1]

Thank You Allan. I figured to suspend it in some way above the tank. I was thinking of building a box with inside dimensions of 72 in length and 20 in Wide and a foot tall just to put the two 400MH lights into along with some room just in case I decide to add a couple of VHO lights to it and suspend that away from the tank.

For Construction I thought I would use a sheet of Luann Sheet wood since it is thin and some 1 X 2 or 2 X 2 as the frame. And use a router to put a slot in them to fit the sections of Luann Sheet wood to and glue it all together. That is really the only way I can think of to keep it kinda light and functional. Oh the top would mostly be open except for a single board or a few 1x4's across the top to enable me to anchor the light assemblies to.

As for Suspension since I can not get to the back wall because of the tank I am thinking of either using Electrical Conduit or wood with a base on each side of the tank. Just not sure yet. But looking for ideas. :)

[JesterGrin_1]

I now have the Hood pretty much ready to assemble. Except for Paint and final glue and assembly.

I used 1X2 and used a router to cut a 3/16th Groove in the middle of to place the 3/16th Luann Panel wood into. I did this for the front and back and sides. I will leave the top pretty much open except for some 1x6 on each end at the top and probably a piece of 1x4 in the Middle for structural support and for attachments. It is still not light but as light as I thought I could make it.


I still have one BIG HURDLE and that is some way to hang the canopy and lights since I can not get to the back Wall as well as the ceiling. So some help would be Grand.

Thank You.

[FireWater]

Suspend it from the ceiling? Use anchor bolts to anchor 4 corners into the ceiling then use eye hooks and metal cord.

Granted I hung led lights in the same manner and I know your set up will weigh more, it should still work fine.

[FireWater]

I can not get to the back Wall as well as the ceiling.

Never mind about my idea. I just reread your post and noticed you said you couldn't get to the ceiling.

[hobogato]

i have seen some setups that use "L" shaped arms attached to the back of the tank stand to suspend the lights. a long time ago, sean (cpreefguy) used metal electrical conduit to make arms to hold his lights up, and the wiring to the lights can be contained in the conduit for a cleaner look.

[350gt]

Why can't you get to the ceiling?

[hobogato]

there is a pic near the bottom of this old thread

http://www.maast.org/showthread.php?49920-Bluesunreef/page13

[Zack]

Just read that entire thread.. did he ever set up the tank??

[JesterGrin_1]

I thought about electrical conduit but how much weight will it withstand?

I thought about using some kind of Legs or to say vertical support on both sides of the tank but not mounted to it with a brace at the top of the two legs to hang the Hood on.

Something like maybe a 4x4 vertical with a braced T to sit on the Floor and another 4X4 at the top connecting the two and fit a couple of either 2X4's or 1X4's to the top brace for 4 adjustable hangers?