canopy DIY question

[derekc]

hi i am planning on building a hood/canopy top whatever for the top of my 55 gallon tank...i was just wondering if anyone had any dimensions for a 55 gallon and how to build it... its 13" wide 18" deep and 48' across...and i was wondering if this would be a decent setup...i bought a 260W PC fixture and a 216W fixture..can i take these apart and wire them all up inside the hood? to hwere there would be 476W? and run fans and stuff? would this work and be a good lighting being 238WDaylight 10000K and 238WActinic ??

 

[nate0729]

i think it would work just fine. You'll have to gut both the fixtures and hopefully still be able to use the reflectors inside. Just mount the ballast and such on top or where ever.How long are the bulbs? Will they all fit in there together? It's not a very wide tank so you won't be able to put tomany side by side.

 

[derekc]

the lights are both 48" long..but if i had just the bulbs mounted theyed fit perfectly...i could almost fit both fixtures on top of the tank but barely wouldnt fit...sooo...u think this lighting would be good for some sps and clams?

 

[jrthomas40]

not enough light for sps and clams....those require strong lighting such as halides or as some would argue a really good T5 setup....as for the dimensions for the canopy just breakout the tape measure and i would do at least an inch longer than the tank dimensions

my diy canopy for my 90g dont remember the exact dimensions but i know it was at least an inch longer than the tank dimensions...you also have to figure in the amount added by lip or whatever the trimming around the top of the tank is called but when you measure measure that and not the glass

 

[jrthomas40]

from this

to this

 

[jrthomas40]

this was my only mess up in measurement...didnt accound for the hinge...but this is/was my first diy canopy

 

[wangotango]

Mine is constructed similarly to jrthomas40's, except my front panel is fixed and has two doors, and the top panel has a piano hinge on it. Here's some pics.
-Justin

 

[scsinet]

FYI... if you can afford it, you should use all stainless steel hardware (hinges, screws, etc).
Everything that's not stainless will rust eventually.
Rockler (dot com) has stainless steel piano hinges, cup hinges, screws, etc.

 

[derekc]

allright guys thanks alot...my lights will be well enought for lps and softies and all the other good stuff right just not sps or clams...?

 

[wangotango]

Originally Posted by derekc
allright guys thanks alot...my lights will be well enought for lps and softies and all the other good stuff right just not sps or clams...?
Yes. PC are fine for softies and LPS, no SPS, clams, or anemonies.
-Justin

 

[gman08016]

Originally Posted by WangoTango
Mine is constructed similarly to jrthomas40's, except my front panel is fixed and has two doors, and the top panel has a piano hinge on it. Here's some pics.
-Justin
Hey Wango What size tank is that.Might want to steal your design And build a new top for my 150 if thats ok with you.

 

[wangotango]

Originally Posted by gman08016
Hey Wango What size tank is that.Might want to steal your design And build a new top for my 150 if thats ok with you.

55 gal. If you want to do the stained glass too, the paint is called "Gallery Glass" and is available at most craft stores. I put it on plexiglass and popped them into the door frames.
-Justin