90 Gallon Canopy - Need help with design/build

ReefGirlSara · #1 12/21/2007, 07:57 PM

I have seen some awesome builds on here but stupidly I didn't tag any of them. Can anyone provide me with some pics, or ideas, or links?

I'm going to make a canopy to go on my 90 with 2 250 Watt MHs and some actinics in the canopy. I'd like to build in fans, and I was thinking of trying to enclose the lights, to try to isolate the heat and then blow it out with the fans.

Thanks!!

J. Montgomery · #2 12/21/2007, 08:23 PM

Here are a few pictures of the canopy I built for my 55. It currently holds 2 x 175W and 1 x 250W MH lights, and four 4" fans. The frame is made out of 1" x 2"s, and the "skin" is 1/4" birch. I painted the inside with Kilz primer/sealant, and I stained the outside.

poppin_fresh · #3 12/21/2007, 08:41 PM

heres a thread I started a couple months ago that got some good stuff before it died.

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...readid=1183794

ReefGirlSara · #4 12/22/2007, 01:02 AM

Any thoughts on using plexiglass on the canopy under the lights - like 3-4 inches from the bulbs to contain most of the heat and then use fans on each end to blow the heat out?

I looked at a lot of canopy builds and haven't really seen any with this type of cover between the lights and the water.

Also, I was thinking about just having two doors, and none of it would swing out or up or anything, just the two doors that will be on hinges. What's the main advatage to having the top on hinges like so many of the canopies do?

Thanks!!

flyguy7150 · #5 12/22/2007, 01:21 AM

check out my build thread...red house. Using t-5s only though

cazzy · #6 12/22/2007, 01:38 AM

Mine is a lot like j.montgomery's over my 75 (same dimensions as your 90). I used 12x1's for the front and sides and a finished plywood for the top. The front hinges up and I have 4 fans along the back, 2 pulling in and 2 pushing out. This is the 2nd one I built because my first one failed. I mounted my 250w de mh's directly to the ceiling of the canopy and the heat caused the wood to warp and split. On the new one, designed very similar, I used a 2x1 strip that I mounted the pendants to to help with the heat. Works great and has been like this for quite a while... I run 2 250w de mh's w/ 2 54w t5's. My 4 cheapie little pc fans cool it just fine but do cause a decent amount of evaporation... lol. Good luck!

cazzy · #7 12/22/2007, 01:39 AM

oh and I used 1x2's or whatever on each side for it to sit on the tank edges, and there is a 1x4 that braces along the back (end-to-end).

ReefGirlSara · #8 12/22/2007, 05:58 PM

J. montgomery, I sent you a PM.

Flyguy, I am glad you put a post on here, I absolutely love your build thread!!! It was an inspiration to me. I am trying to talk my boyfriend into rebuilding the stand to look like yours, but since the one we have right now works and looks ok, I don't think I'm going to win this one

I couldn't really tell exactly how you designed the canopy, but I really like it! Did you put anything between the lights and the water? With T5's I'm sure you're not as concerned with heat and evaporation as I am...

ReefGirlSara · #9 12/22/2007, 06:02 PM

Cazzy, I'd really like to see some pics if you have some. How many inches are your lights from the water and how many inches tall is the whole canopy?

Does anyone out there have any experience using plexiglass in their canopy to box in the heat so the fans just blow straight through there and don't cause as much evaporation?

I have a 36" current type fixture with a 250W MH and some PC's and it has plexiglass on the bottom and one fan that blows the heat through the fixture, it works pretty well, so I was thinking of doing something similar. I'm worried the plexiglass will melt, or in order to be able to get my hand and arm in the tank with the plexiglass in place it may have to be really far off the water. I don't know.

ReefGirlSara · #10 12/23/2007, 03:56 PM

I'm trying to decide how tall to make it. My MH's with the reflectors are like 5 3/4 inches tall, and I want to have plenty of room in there without moving the canopy, but I don't want the lights too far from the water.

How tall are your MH canopies? How many inches are your bulbs off the water??

Thanks!

Tennsquire · #11 12/23/2007, 06:36 PM

I replaced my original canopy with one of these:

http://www.glasscages.com/?sAction=ViewCat&lCatID=8

I ran a strip of wood down the center, and hung my halides from that strip. They're about 6 inches off of the water. Also installed 2 actinics and a 50/50 bulb to come on before the halides and to go off after the halides. I like how the whole front panel comes off of this canopy; makes it easier to work in the tank.

I'm not so sure that your plexiglass idea would work, as it wouldn't stand up to the heat of the halides. Plus, I think it would significantly knock your par values down.

flyguy7150 · #12 12/24/2007, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ReefGirlSara
J. montgomery, I sent you a PM.

Flyguy, I am glad you put a post on here, I absolutely love your build thread!!! It was an inspiration to me. I am trying to talk my boyfriend into rebuilding the stand to look like yours, but since the one we have right now works and looks ok, I don't think I'm going to win this one I couldn't really tell exactly how you designed the canopy, but I really like it! Did you put anything between the lights and the water? With T5's I'm sure you're not as concerned with heat and evaporation as I am...

Nope just six inches of space between the lights and water, open top. How high are you looking to make the canopy?? As for the stand, its not too much work, and it gets a lot of ooos and nices.