Canopy Poll - please participate
 

I'm curious how many of us have canopies on our tanks and how many do NOT.

Please VOTE and if you got a sec tell us why and if you like it or not.


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I'll start..i voted NO because i have a 46g from petco and i never bought one - my only complaint is jumper fish. I am going up to 90g and i have to consider both options.

gooliver

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I am using a MH pendant for now till I get my canopy then I guess I would have to say I have a canopy!

I have a canopy. My Dad and a buddy of his custom built it for me! I just upgraded from 55 to 125. I have 3 250 MH lights and 4 55 pc actinics. I needed a place to "hide" the lights! :D
Before the upgrade:
[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/Mickis125/Tank%20and%20stand/1d4f565a.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/Mickis125/Tank%20and%20stand/99dca767.jpg[/IMG]
A few hours after the upgrade:
[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/Mickis125/de41d73f.jpg[/IMG]

I have a DIY canopy that I love the only problem with it is that sometimes access to the tank can be hard, like trying to reach the bottom while I stand on the floor.

I have a canopy on all my tanks. I have them built tall to fit the metal halides in.

[B]gooliver[/B]

Your wrestling with this canopy thing huh? It is tough to have you cake and eat it too when MH & no chiller are involved.

I think you can do it though.....You should build a quick and dirty canopy out of plywood. It don't have to be pretty, think of it as a proto type;) As far as fans go it looks like your fixture already has two built in it, so just cut the holes out for it on the side. leave the back open for now and watch you temp.

Now to get to you question.....I think a canopy finishes off the tank, especially when you add the corner strips. It gives it that furniture look.

It keeps dust out of the tank, keeps jumpers in, holds the heat in better in the event of a power outage and gives you a place to hide an auto feeder. Also it's great place for moonlights if you don't have them already built into your light.

In the end it's all up to you and what your specific taste is, my taste is a canopy all the way:)

Cheers!!

Modern Series Canopy User? Good for MH ? H E L P
[url]http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=4539056#post4539056[/url]


What are the advantages of a canopy?
[url]http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=549257[/url]

I [I]will[/I] have a canopy, so I voted canopy

My big tank has a canopy....came all together when I bought it used. My smaller tanks don't have canopies, but the lighting fixtures are far more simple. For bigger systems, with MH lights and a display theme in mind, a conopy really gives a finished clean look.

I don't have a chiller on my tank and it's fine. But, my sump and fuge are in the basement.

no canopy
[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v231/chrismunn/nocanopy.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v231/chrismunn/aaaa.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v231/chrismunn/a.jpg[/IMG]

I do not have a canapy but wish I did. I keep telling myself I will have a canapy on the next bigger tank?

I got one also on my 125g housing two 250w halides, so i vote yes to canopy!

No canopy. My light hangs from the ceiling. Making work on the tank very easy.

I like having a canopy, keeps the light in the tank, instead of in my face.

I guess most bigger tank, maybe > 55G will generally have canopy.

nice tank there Micki !

What about the tall property of your canopy?
I understand I need 8" of clearance from the water to the MH lights in a canopy? what does that translate to in canopy exterior vertical measurement. (from top to bottom)
I really dont like those tall fat canopies

gooliver

Canopy gives you choices for the different kinds of lighting. Plus you can switch and mix anytime. :thumbsup:

Nice Tank Micki

I have a canopy and love my canopy.

Reasons I dislike having no canopy:
Light escapes all over the room
Fish jump out all over the room (LOL)
Don't like the way the open top looks

My canopy is an open back canopy with doors. It is open enough to allow heat and air exchange and is easy to work in.

I also used velcro to put eggcrate over the back of the canopy to keep fish in.

I would definitely get the same thing again.

Crystal

i have a canopy makes things look cleaner and hides my lights.

no canopy.. but ive only gotta 29 right now.. would love to have one on top of the 75g i plan on purchasing soon.. not sure how well the t5 hoods would fit in it but i guess we shall see!

Thanks ramtheory!

gooliver, my canopy is 13 inches tall. The MH lights are 9 inches away from the water. Since my tank is a room divider my canopy doors open on both sides and on the top. We originally thought we would need to put some lights on the top so we made that access, but, be changed the way we were going to do the lights after we gave my Dad the specs to build it. Here is a thread of the entire process with pictures.

[url]http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=522147&highlight=micki[/url]

In order to access the bottom of inside of the tank to clean the glass, i assume it is better to have a canopy that the front lifts up completely and folds back..right?

Just got rid of my retrofitted canopy. I don't want to hide my new Maristar fixture with wood just yet.

Just finish this stand and canopy set-up about two months ago. I tell ya, big tank IMO don't look good without a canopy with 3 and 4 halides hanging over the top. They have one at the LFS store and it looks okay but in you home as your show tank!! NO WAY

[IMG]http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/30886new_tank_stand_canopy.jpg [/IMG]