Building canopy help

[biggredd]

I'm going to start building my canopy within the next week or so and have a general idea of how to build it but would like a couple of pointers.
I was thinking of making the canopy 12 inches tall total or so with the front flipping up to feed and whatever. I am purchasing some used retro MH lights which I plan to put around 4-6 inches above the water. My plan is to use 2x1's and build a frame around the top of the tank but I was thinking of raising the back side 2x1 up a couple of inches and putting a couple of short pieces in the middle below that so that when I set the canopy on it it the back side will sit above my overflow and returns. The back side will be open and I may still put a couple of fans on it. I plan to paint the outside with black oil based paint to match my stand.
I have a very generic picture that I hope helps give an idea. But I have a couple of questions. What should I use to hold the canopy together? Nails, screws, or something else since those are metal. But I will also be painting over the metal so not sure if that is an issue. Budget is an issue. Should I just paint the inside with a high gloss white for maximum light? Probably the most important question....I am going to use 1/2" plywood, should I make the drop down over the sides of the tank so that it won't shift around? Basically I need to know the best way to not have it move around if bumped.
Thanks.

 

[jjboods]

I just built mine about a month ago. Flipping up the front was a thought. After some thought on how to make it both aesthetically pleasing and structurally sound, I decided against it. I double hinged the top. The first 4" filps 180 degrees to lay flat when fully opened. Then the next 10-11" flips up again to have full access to the tank and be able to change light bulbs. A front lifting panel would probably require removing the entire canopy to work in the tank or change the bulbs. That's the theory behind my design. If you're interested, I could give you more details.

 

[murph145]

heres my canopy...
i basically used the same thing 2x1"s made a basic cube design.... my tanks a 180 so its 6'x2'x16" tall
ok so then i nailed it all together using my brad nailer and some 18 guage 1-a/4" nails if u have afinish nailer using 16 guage nails would be better
so then i used cherry ply cut to fit the sides nailed it on then the front panel i framed it using colonial trim then to fasten it i used slip and lock hinges,.... this way i can remove the entire front panel makes for very easy access to all parts of the tank!
i have MH pendants and PC in the canop so i left the back open and the top so i can blow pleanty of air though the canopy using a 7" fan to keep the water cooler.... even so i still use a chiller
anyways the canopy is very light and very sturdy
hope it helps some

 

[biggredd]

I like that idea. My stand is 38 inches tall, the tank 24 inches, and if the canopy is 16 inches there is no way anyone would know it was not open on the top unless I had it in a room where there was an elevated view of the room. That's probably what I'll do:
Build the cube. Put sides on it and the make a removable front.
I'll buy the material this weekend. Guess I won't need much either.
Thanks.

 

[jjboods]

I don't think Murph's design is open on top. Where would the lights mount?

 

[biggredd]

I thought he said he left the back and top open. So I should cover it instead of putting supports to mount it to?

 

[mpls man]

when i built my canopy for my 110 i put the fan holes in the sides to blow across the water from each side, as far as the height of the lights inside i would go higher then 4-6 inches, more like 10-12" because you will have a lot of heat from the MH'S, therefore you will be heating the water a lot.
just my opinion.

 

[jjboods]

My tank is very high. I also built my stand and wanted the tank closer to eye level, so the top of the canopy is almost 6 feet. Maybe it's my obcessive nature, but I wanted a very finished product. It is more like a piece of furniture than just a functional stand and hood.
BTW - I definitely agree with mounting the lights 10" or more over the water.

 

[mpls man]

oh, thats kool,

where did you mount the fans ?

 

[biggredd]

My stand too was built very nice, it is function and fashion. The canopy will match. I def. plan to use fans to keep the temps down. Maybe I'll put a vented top on it.

 

[phixer]

Murphs design is well made one of the more professional looking ones Ive seen.
What ever you use screws, nails, dowels or even biscuits would be fine, just make sure you coat everything well with poly or spar urethane so that the salt dosent corrode your fastners. Salt has a way of getting into every crevice there is.
Regarding the color for the inside I would just coat it with clear urethane and use a metal reflector/s with a glass splash shield beneath to keep it safe.
Puller fans in the back to pull the heat out, like a radiator fan does.

 

[murph145]

yeah my top is open with cross braces that were placed specifically so that way my lights could be bolted onto them....
i keep a 7" fan in the back to blow air through the canopy u cant see it thought when lookin at the tank

 

[bronco300]

hope you don't mind me jumping in for help as well...i'm building a top for my 40 gallon as i recently bought 350W MH retro....so anyways, i like murph's set up...but i was wondering how you make it sit nicely and sturdy on the tank...you just build the cube of it can sit on the tank, then make it so the sides and front come down past the tanks top edge?