jacksonpt
Active Member
I've finally got all the parts for my DIY lighting system... now all I need is the DIY canopy.
I've got a standard 75g tank (48"x18"x20"). I'm going to be running two 250w MH bulbs, and one of my existing striplights (dual 48" NO bulbs).
So, here are my concerns:
- heat from the bulbs. I know these bulbs get hot, REAL hot. I'm going to be running 4 small fan (2 intake, 2 exhaust) to try to prevent the water from heating up... but what about the canopy itself? I'll be using pine for the construction.
- waterproofing everything. I'm considering keeping the glass panes to prevent splashes from being a problem... but what about moisture due to evaporation? I'm going to use butt connectors and that heatwrap/shrinkwrap stuff HD sells for all my connections... but what about the bulb/socket connection?
- tank accessibility. Obviously I need to keep at least some of the water surface accessable for things like feeding, cleaning, etc. How the heck am I going to fit 2 fairly large MH bulbs, 2 fairly large balasts, and a dual bulb strip light in there and still have some access to the water?
- reflector. I'm hoping HD will have some kind of reasonably flexible aluminum sheeting that I can use as a reflector... something cheap, very reflective, and not corrosion prone.
Anything else I should pay particular attention to?
If anyone else has built a simlar canopy, I'd love to see pictures and/or plans for yours.
Thanks for all the help.
I've got a standard 75g tank (48"x18"x20"). I'm going to be running two 250w MH bulbs, and one of my existing striplights (dual 48" NO bulbs).
So, here are my concerns:
- heat from the bulbs. I know these bulbs get hot, REAL hot. I'm going to be running 4 small fan (2 intake, 2 exhaust) to try to prevent the water from heating up... but what about the canopy itself? I'll be using pine for the construction.
- waterproofing everything. I'm considering keeping the glass panes to prevent splashes from being a problem... but what about moisture due to evaporation? I'm going to use butt connectors and that heatwrap/shrinkwrap stuff HD sells for all my connections... but what about the bulb/socket connection?
- tank accessibility. Obviously I need to keep at least some of the water surface accessable for things like feeding, cleaning, etc. How the heck am I going to fit 2 fairly large MH bulbs, 2 fairly large balasts, and a dual bulb strip light in there and still have some access to the water?
- reflector. I'm hoping HD will have some kind of reasonably flexible aluminum sheeting that I can use as a reflector... something cheap, very reflective, and not corrosion prone.
Anything else I should pay particular attention to?
If anyone else has built a simlar canopy, I'd love to see pictures and/or plans for yours.
Thanks for all the help.
