Building a canopy for 93 cube

[fidofence]

Im adding some lighting to my cube and it's in my bedroom so I need to build a canopy to hide the fixtures. Any suggestions or design ideas I should keep in mind? Should I use 1/2" or 3/4" plywood?

 

[jdavid]

Hmm I had a 55 long for a few days (ended up passing it along to another, and actually it is sitting in my garage in storage now but unfortunatly it isnt mine) that had a very simple stand and hinge top canopy. It looked really nice and I feel like if I ever build a stand and canopy I will go with this design. It might not exactly be the best design for a cube, but it would be simple enough to build. And the cool thing about the stand is you can take it apart and all the pieces are hinged and will lay flat, but when you put it back together it is stable enough to support a 55.

What I will do is take some pictures of the canopy for you tonight and if you want to go off that you can

 

[liciawms]

Try this. We built my canopy using this design.

 

[jdavid]

okay here you go hope this gives you some ideas

canopy upside down
http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=363&pictureid=2250" alt="" />
canopy upside down open
[IMG]http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=363&pictureid=2249" alt="" />
canopy upside down open showing locking hinge to hold up the lid, lid hinge, and block for it to sit on the tank
[IMG]http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=363&pictureid=2248" alt="" />
upside down closed showing blocks that rest on the side of the tank
[IMG]http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=363&pictureid=2247" alt="" />
my cat taking an opportunity to further his modeling career
[IMG]http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=363&pictureid=2246" alt="" />
[IMG]http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=363&pictureid=2245" alt="" />
lol
right side up closed back
[IMG]http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=363&pictureid=2244" alt="" />
right side up open back
[IMG]http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=363&pictureid=2243" alt="" />
side view open
[IMG]http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=363&pictureid=2242" alt="" />

so yeah I dont know how the lights sit on the tank or if this would help at all but it was no trouble and I thought it might give you some ideas!
JD

 

[porpoiseaquatics]

It really depends on how much you want to put in to it. I did a build thread on my 93 cube and built the stand and canopy to match. The canopy was a flip open front to give full access. This will give you an idea of what it looked like. Very simple build really....mostly 1 x 3 and 1/4" plywood skin except for the very top which was 1x12 glued together then of course there is all the trim.

 

[cedzaquaddiction]

My canopy opens like porpoiseaquatics right now, but, I always fear the front swinging down, and smacking me in the back of the head...

JDavid: How sturdy are those hinges? My canopy is made of 1" Oak Plywood, and heavy as Fat *******'s cankles. I like the concept of the locking hinges, but need something sturdy...

BTW: Good job on the canopies to both of you...

 

[porpoiseaquatics]

Never had a problem because it folded back flat against the top. You could put any number of devices in to keep it from closing like you suggested. I even thought about putting hydraulics on it (like on a truck or car hood).

 

[jdavid]

there is only one locking hinge on one side to hold the lid up, and it is very sturdy. unless you unlock it manually it will not close. and it is such a simple design, but not a good option for hanging lights, or if the light fixture is bigger than the top of the tank.

 

[jef4y]

I've used Poplar for my last 2 canopies and would use it again. It's cost effective, easy to work with and VERY light weight. I also always have open-top canopies to promote airflow and cut down on cost & weight.

My 150 canopy, Rich (rdnelson99) and I made in a day. Pics are in my build thread.

 

[kf2008]

That Rich guy is a good dude!

JeF4y;835853 wrote:

My 150 canopy, Rich (rdnelson99) and I made in a day. Pics are in my build thread.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[rdnelson]

kf2008;835886 wrote: That Rich guy is a good dude!






Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Don't believe everything you hear. hehehehehe :yay:

Edit: Oh, and after spending the day in an overheated garage with me he sends me a box of SOAP!!!! Was he trying to tell me something??????