DIY Canopy plans?

[Rick]

does anyone have a link to plans for building your own canopy ?

Rick

[Dinky]

"Rick" > wrote in message
news:Lfzub.427935$6C4.386452@pd7tw1no...
>
>
> does anyone have a link to plans for building your own canopy ?
>
> Rick
>
>

See reply to your copy&pasted crosspost in alt.aquaria.

[NetMax]

"Rick" > wrote in message
news:Lfzub.427935$6C4.386452@pd7tw1no...
>
>
> does anyone have a link to plans for building your own canopy ?
>
> Rick

Hi Rick, here are a bunch of DIY sites on various items (often around
stands, but canopies are often built for DIY projects which include
stands). You don't mention any tank specifics. If your tank is 4' or
longer, it's pretty easy (sliding glass cover. wood box, hinged front,
shop light fixtures with 4' tubes). For tanks shorter than 4', it's less
obvious as to how to proceed and a lot depends on what your lighting
ambitions are.

http://www.fishandtips.com/index.php
http://www.rmgconstruction.com/stand.htm
http://www.aquariacentral.com/diy/stand.shtml
http://www.thekrib.com/TankHardware/stands.html
http://burger.surfthe.net/180reef/construction.htm
http://www.homestead.com/geosreef/diystand.html
http://www.saltreef.com/projects/propsys/stage.5.htm
http://www.eparc.com/diy/stand/scubaraven/stand.shtml
http://www.mindspear.com/reef/stand/
http://www.garf.org/stand.html
http://www.kaotica.com/frag/diy/stand/
http://members12.clubphoto.com/net579284/751809/guest.phtml
http://members12.clubphoto.com/net579284/guest-1.phtml

NetMax

[Rick]

"NetMax" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Rick" > wrote in message
> news:Lfzub.427935$6C4.386452@pd7tw1no...
> >
> >
> > does anyone have a link to plans for building your own canopy ?
> >
> > Rick
>
> Hi Rick, here are a bunch of DIY sites on various items (often around
> stands, but canopies are often built for DIY projects which include
> stands). You don't mention any tank specifics. If your tank is 4' or
> longer, it's pretty easy (sliding glass cover. wood box, hinged front,
> shop light fixtures with 4' tubes). For tanks shorter than 4', it's less
> obvious as to how to proceed and a lot depends on what your lighting
> ambitions are.
>
> http://www.fishandtips.com/index.php
> http://www.rmgconstruction.com/stand.htm
> http://www.aquariacentral.com/diy/stand.shtml
> http://www.thekrib.com/TankHardware/stands.html
> http://burger.surfthe.net/180reef/construction.htm
> http://www.homestead.com/geosreef/diystand.html
> http://www.saltreef.com/projects/propsys/stage.5.htm
> http://www.eparc.com/diy/stand/scubaraven/stand.shtml
> http://www.mindspear.com/reef/stand/
> http://www.garf.org/stand.html
> http://www.kaotica.com/frag/diy/stand/
> http://members12.clubphoto.com/net579284/751809/guest.phtml
> http://members12.clubphoto.com/net579284/guest-1.phtml
>
> NetMax
>
>yes it's a 4' tank (77g) that I want to rig up with about 220 watts of
compact lighting. I presently have 160 watts of T12 via a double perfecto
strip light and one shoplight and although my pants are doing reasonable
well I believe I need more light. The canopy will simply give a better
overall appearance.

Rick

[NetMax]

"Rick" > wrote in message
news:YxMub.434261$pl3.373609@pd7tw3no...
>
> "NetMax" > wrote in message
> ...
> >
> > "Rick" > wrote in message
> > news:Lfzub.427935$6C4.386452@pd7tw1no...
> > >
> > >
> > > does anyone have a link to plans for building your own canopy ?
> > >
> > > Rick
> >
> > Hi Rick, here are a bunch of DIY sites on various items (often around
> > stands, but canopies are often built for DIY projects which include
> > stands). You don't mention any tank specifics. If your tank is 4'
or
> > longer, it's pretty easy (sliding glass cover. wood box, hinged
front,
> > shop light fixtures with 4' tubes). For tanks shorter than 4', it's
less
> > obvious as to how to proceed and a lot depends on what your lighting
> > ambitions are.
> >
> > http://www.fishandtips.com/index.php
> > http://www.rmgconstruction.com/stand.htm
> > http://www.aquariacentral.com/diy/stand.shtml
> > http://www.thekrib.com/TankHardware/stands.html
> > http://burger.surfthe.net/180reef/construction.htm
> > http://www.homestead.com/geosreef/diystand.html
> > http://www.saltreef.com/projects/propsys/stage.5.htm
> > http://www.eparc.com/diy/stand/scubaraven/stand.shtml
> > http://www.mindspear.com/reef/stand/
> > http://www.garf.org/stand.html
> > http://www.kaotica.com/frag/diy/stand/
> > http://members12.clubphoto.com/net579284/751809/guest.phtml
> > http://members12.clubphoto.com/net579284/guest-1.phtml
> >
> > NetMax
> >
> >yes it's a 4' tank (77g) that I want to rig up with about 220 watts of
> compact lighting. I presently have 160 watts of T12 via a double
perfecto
> strip light and one shoplight and although my pants are doing
reasonable
> well I believe I need more light. The canopy will simply give a better
> overall appearance.
>
> Rick

I'm running four T12s over my 66g (probably the same footprint of 49x18).
You could probably fit six T-8s in the same area for 240 watts (spacing
the tube end caps along the underside of the canopy). I don't know how
that compares ($ wise) with your plans to use CF, but T-8s are reasonably
available, and I don't understand why they say CFs do not need to be
replaced.

ps: If you go with six T-8s consider having the last 2 tubes on separate
ballasts. This lets you dial down to 200 watts anytime, or use a
nightlight on a different timer.

pss: I paint my canopy underside white. It's not as good as mirrors or
reflective paper, but it's close enough that I thought it gave the best
performance for my construction effort. ymmv

psss: If the entire front of the canopy swings outward, you can even
install one tube on your front plate. Open the door for feeding and the
light swings out and up out of your way. Just needs a flexible
connection (ie: wires runs the length of the 4' tube, so they rotate
along its length). This provides the ever-important lighting from
directly in front, rather than compromising by setting the lights inward.

pssss: (ok, I'll stop soon ;~). The last canopy I built lifts in multiple
stages.
stage 1: Feeding, hinged front.
stage 2: Maintenance, lifts the 2 front tubes out of the way (planting,
pruning).
stage 3: Tear-down, canopy unplugged & removed, leaves 2 rear tubes
which are fixed to wall behind tank.

NetMax (should be CrazyMax ;~) for obvious reasons

[Rick]

"> > "NetMax" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > >
> > > "Rick" > wrote in message
> > > news:Lfzub.427935$6C4.386452@pd7tw1no...
> > > >
> >>
> I'm running four T12s over my 66g (probably the same footprint of 49x18).
> You could probably fit six T-8s in the same area for 240 watts (spacing
> the tube end caps along the underside of the canopy). I don't know how
> that compares ($ wise) with your plans to use CF, but T-8s are reasonably
> available, and I don't understand why they say CFs do not need to be
> replaced.
>
> ps: If you go with six T-8s consider having the last 2 tubes on separate
> ballasts. This lets you dial down to 200 watts anytime, or use a
> nightlight on a different timer.
>
> pss: I paint my canopy underside white. It's not as good as mirrors or
> reflective paper, but it's close enough that I thought it gave the best
> performance for my construction effort. ymmv
>
> psss: If the entire front of the canopy swings outward, you can even
> install one tube on your front plate. Open the door for feeding and the
> light swings out and up out of your way. Just needs a flexible
> connection (ie: wires runs the length of the 4' tube, so they rotate
> along its length). This provides the ever-important lighting from
> directly in front, rather than compromising by setting the lights inward.
>
> pssss: (ok, I'll stop soon ;~). The last canopy I built lifts in multiple
> stages.
> stage 1: Feeding, hinged front.
> stage 2: Maintenance, lifts the 2 front tubes out of the way (planting,
> pruning).
> stage 3: Tear-down, canopy unplugged & removed, leaves 2 rear tubes
> which are fixed to wall behind tank.
>
> NetMax (should be CrazyMax ;~) for obvious reasons
>
>


that is exactly how I want to build mine with multiple ways to open it. I
was at a friends place the other night and he has a DIY that the entire top
opens. It has 6 x T8 bulbs and when he lifted the lid we were blinded by the
light ( I think there is a song about that!!!). I like the idea about two
ballasts. Thx. kindly.

Rick