Canopy Design - Public Opinion
- Thread starter jbdreefs
- Start date
What material do you plan to build the canopy out of, assuming you go with option #1 on the square tubing supports? I ask because I imagine you will have to account for considerable sag (towards the front of the stand) if you will be supporting a plywood or MDF canopy in that manner. Plywood is heavy, and MDF is even heavier.
Dustin
I'm going to carefully leave the front panel unattached as I build. At the end I'm going to see if I like using the front diagonal piece as a door. This option would make access alot easier. Otherwise, I'll be forced into some elaborate suspension mechanism...stay tuned.
Edit:
I'm making it from 1/2" plywood and mitering all the edges. Putting it together with a brad nailer and wood glue. The canopy is just big enough to slide over the top of the aquarium. I've added some stoppers in the base corners. This should allow me to rest the canopy on top of the tank. It also strengthens the structure. I'm going to see how I like it resting on top of the tank instead of suspending it. Obviously, if I de ide to go this route, I'll have to add ventilation inlets. To be continued...
If you leave the front off even if you put blocks to keep it at a certain height you might still need to add a piece of say ¾” x ¾” that goes across the front at the tank height to keep the sides from spreading out and falling or tilting forward.
I made a temporary one out of a T-8 fixture and some bendable soffit material. It was not heavy but a real pain to do anything in the tank. I then added a temporary sliding system. It worked better but LQQKed like crap!!!
My DT is still under construction but it will be viewed from 3 ¾ sides so I’m limited for canopy ideas as it’s a 75gal tank now but will change to a 120 or 150 in about 45day, hopefully.
So I went with a T-5 6 bulb fixture and made a standard canopy box for now.
I tried to do a cable system but did not like how it was going. After seeing other people’s tanks I think I prefer MH or LEDs. MH uses a lot of electricity and then you have to have a cooling system of some sort. Don’t think the wife would want me to drill holes in the fridge and run cooling hoses thru it, LOL.
What are you plans for lights? I don’t remember if you picked any yet. What will fit in your design?
Here are some pics
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I made a temporary one out of a T-8 fixture and some bendable soffit material. It was not heavy but a real pain to do anything in the tank. I then added a temporary sliding system. It worked better but LQQKed like crap!!!
My DT is still under construction but it will be viewed from 3 ¾ sides so I’m limited for canopy ideas as it’s a 75gal tank now but will change to a 120 or 150 in about 45day, hopefully.
So I went with a T-5 6 bulb fixture and made a standard canopy box for now.
I tried to do a cable system but did not like how it was going. After seeing other people’s tanks I think I prefer MH or LEDs. MH uses a lot of electricity and then you have to have a cooling system of some sort. Don’t think the wife would want me to drill holes in the fridge and run cooling hoses thru it, LOL.
What are you plans for lights? I don’t remember if you picked any yet. What will fit in your design?
Here are some pics
Done building. Now to install handles and stain. I need help determining how to match my current furniture. I'll post a pic of the other furniture tomorrow.
Tip for future DIYers: there are many miter cut calculators available on the web. I thought I new what I was doing until I figured out that I had no clue how to make nonstandard compound miter cuts.
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Tip for future DIYers: there are many miter cut calculators available on the web. I thought I new what I was doing until I figured out that I had no clue how to make nonstandard compound miter cuts.
Are you planning to stain it? If so, you'll want to remove as much of that wood putty/filler as possible, because it will stand out like crazy through the stain. It doesn't matter if the putty is labeled "stainable" -- it's not -- I learned that the hard way years ago.
Dustin
Dustin
