how high should i build my canopy?
- Thread starter ross
- Start date
007
Active Member
It really boils down to personal preference IMO. Build it so that water will not splash on the bulbs and the height looks proportional to the height of the tank.
I have VHO for instance and the bulbs sit about 8 inches off the water.
Light travels very well through air so a couple inches will not affect how much light gets into the tank really.
I have VHO for instance and the bulbs sit about 8 inches off the water.
Light travels very well through air so a couple inches will not affect how much light gets into the tank really.
zanemoseley
Active Member
I kinda have a question around the same lines as ross's and my answer may help out ross also so I'm not totally hijacking the thread, I wanted to let my canopy be open backed except for a small support on the back and I wanted the whole front to swing open but this way the front would not have the ability to support weight, If I made the canopy out of 3/4" oak plywood and 10" tall would the sides be able to sufficiently hold the weight of entire canopy and 2 250 MH bulbs and two 96w PC's
jjgomillion
Member
Please post pics. I am thinking about building a stand/canopy and i am curious about mounting the lights. Can you be specific about the hardware you use? I went to Lowes today and all of the lighting kits i saw said they were only for hanging and not to be mounted directly to any surface...
Sorry for hijacking your thread! Maybe you will find this usefull....
Sorry for hijacking your thread! Maybe you will find this usefull....
jjgomillion
Member
that would be great! I will keep my eyes peeled for some pics. Thank you!
bigmac
Member
Build your canopy 12" tall because here's what's going to happen.........Your going to start out with VHO's, then, like everybody else your going to want MH's. If your canopy isn't 12" tall the MH's will be too close to the water.
Its a lot easier to lower the bulbs in the canopy then it is to build another one. You can do it now or do it later.
Its a lot easier to lower the bulbs in the canopy then it is to build another one. You can do it now or do it later.
jjgomillion
Member
ok, thanks!
What would I use to lower the bulbs in the canopy?
What would I use to lower the bulbs in the canopy?
offshore80
Member
Hey Squishy,
I see you have a 175 BF too.
I made a cool canopy for my 175BF. I used a 175 BF stand of the same Oak and put it above the tank. Mounted to the ceiling. It leaves a 11.5 inch gap from the top of the 175 tank to the bottom of the stand overhead. It looks like a big wall unit. Mount your lights under it and your good to go. Plenty of storage in the overhead too! Looks very nice and the stand was only 300 bucks so not to pricy.
I see you have a 175 BF too.
I made a cool canopy for my 175BF. I used a 175 BF stand of the same Oak and put it above the tank. Mounted to the ceiling. It leaves a 11.5 inch gap from the top of the 175 tank to the bottom of the stand overhead. It looks like a big wall unit. Mount your lights under it and your good to go. Plenty of storage in the overhead too! Looks very nice and the stand was only 300 bucks so not to pricy.