masala4080
Member
My New DIY MH Canopy w/ Pics!
- Thread starter masala4080
- Start date
masala4080
Member
The Tank.
masala4080
Member
The lights.
masala4080
Member
The Fans.
masala4080
Member
The Moonlights.
masala4080
Member
heres the frame just with 1x1's and 1x2's.
masala4080
Member
Here it is with the trim and fan wholes cut, as well as the inside painted with a high gloss white, but of course you cant see it.
masala4080
Member
Heres what the inside look like with everything in it. I used white tape to cover up the wires. And its barely noticable in real life, in the pic. it looks horrable.
Im not expecting heat to be a problem. The 4 fans should work wonderful, and my bedroom (where the tank is) is in the finished basement, and its around 65F during the day.
Im not expecting heat to be a problem. The 4 fans should work wonderful, and my bedroom (where the tank is) is in the finished basement, and its around 65F during the day.
masala4080
Member
Heres a picture looking in. The lights will be about 8" from the water surface.
masala4080
Member
And finaly here it is all complete! Sorry I didnt explain everything step-by-step. It would have taken WAY too long. And just to let you know, I have all the fans blowing in except one of them on the top is blowing out, and here is also an open back to it.
And also I used 2 coats of Minwax water based stain, and 2 coats of polyacrylic on the outside. As well as siliconed all the inside edges or gaps to protect the unpainted wood.
Thanks for taking a look. I will update this in a week or so, after I get all my LR and water setup.
And also I used 2 coats of Minwax water based stain, and 2 coats of polyacrylic on the outside. As well as siliconed all the inside edges or gaps to protect the unpainted wood.
Thanks for taking a look. I will update this in a week or so, after I get all my LR and water setup.
masala4080
Member
Its some pretty
[hr]
duct tape and sticks like a mofo but Ill see how it works, if it starts to fall its out. And ill get some of the straps. Thanks for the input!
[hr]
duct tape and sticks like a mofo but Ill see how it works, if it starts to fall its out. And ill get some of the straps. Thanks for the input!
mkcsil18
Member
masal4080.... if you don't mind could you tell me where you got those lights from? I am building a hood same way and are looking to add something like that.... you could email me the link at mkcsil18@optonline.net or the name of the person..... thanks for the help.
Mike.
Mike.
masala4080
Member
Thanks for the comments. Im very pleased with it myself. Now in a week or 2 I'll put her through the final test, having water in the tank.
mkcsil18 You have mail. I hope that helps. IMO its a very good option to go that route.
mkcsil18 You have mail. I hope that helps. IMO its a very good option to go that route.
thegrog
Active Member
Very nice!!!!
I also share the formentioned concerns with the tape holding. Not just holding against the humidity but against the heat and UV from the bulbs. You would be better off with plastic cable tie-downs. Look in any hardware electrical isle. They usually come with a small nail or screw to fasten to wood.
Also, did you use wiring that is shielded against UV light? If not, it may degrade over time and the insulation will become brittle and will crack. If not, no need to worry about rewiring the whole thing. Just get UV rated plastic wire conduit tubing and cover the wires and use the tie-down fasteners to hold the whole thing in place.
Other than that, very nice wood working!! I especially like the 4 fans. I personally would have the two top fans going out and the side ones going in.
Once again nice job and thanks for posting the progress pics!
I also share the formentioned concerns with the tape holding. Not just holding against the humidity but against the heat and UV from the bulbs. You would be better off with plastic cable tie-downs. Look in any hardware electrical isle. They usually come with a small nail or screw to fasten to wood.
Also, did you use wiring that is shielded against UV light? If not, it may degrade over time and the insulation will become brittle and will crack. If not, no need to worry about rewiring the whole thing. Just get UV rated plastic wire conduit tubing and cover the wires and use the tie-down fasteners to hold the whole thing in place.
Other than that, very nice wood working!! I especially like the 4 fans. I personally would have the two top fans going out and the side ones going in.
Once again nice job and thanks for posting the progress pics!
tequib
New Member
Very nice job on the hood! I would like to build something very similar, but I had one question that I have not been able to determine. On some of the websites where the MH retros are for sale they say that the lights need to be sealed off from moisture (i.e behind glass). Is this necessary with certain types of fixtures or is this just a disclaimer to protect themselves?
Thanks
Thanks
masala4080
Member
Thanks! Im going to HD tonight to look for the wire conduit and the fastners.
tequib - the lights that need to be protected are probably DE Metal Halide lights, which I didnt use. Also keeping the lights around 8" high eliminates some splatter that can arrise by fish and whatnot. But yes, most use it as a disclaimer
tequib - the lights that need to be protected are probably DE Metal Halide lights, which I didnt use. Also keeping the lights around 8" high eliminates some splatter that can arrise by fish and whatnot. But yes, most use it as a disclaimer
