Canopy modification and lighting upgrade!!! - Aquarium Advice

newfound77951 · 11-02-2006, 06:08 PM

So after my old end fittings fizzled (literally) and died, I bought 2, 1x96 watt Bright Kits from ahsupply. I have a Sedona canopy, which only has one cross brace, and no braces running the long way, so I modified the canopy to hold the reflectors and bulbs. I took some pictures of the completed canopy as I thought folks might like to see what I did. Serious thanks go to my wonderful boyfriend for doing all the wiring!

Finished canopy, from the top. The horizontal slats are the added parts. They were made from some scrap 3/4" x 2.5" lumber I got for $1 a piece at Home Depot. I notched the ends to fit into the lip on the canopy where the glass would usually sit (I don't use the glass anyway) and stained the wood to match as best I could. Also 2 coats of satin varnish for water protection. The metal straps are the kind that people use to repair chairs etc. You can see the reflectors and also the ballasts screwed to the back frame of the canopy. The white strings are my low-tech canopy-hanging apparatus (for water changes and plant maintenance).

Underneath, showing wiring route and one ballast:

Other end underneath:

Close up of one ballast installation:

Top view on tank.....much more access for feeding now!

Rear view with ballasts clearing HOB:

My lousy, corroded old reflector. It was amazing to see how much less light spilled out to the wall behind the tank with the new reflectors on!

Tank with new lights on!

drobertson · 11-02-2006, 09:33 PM

my hats off to both of you, well done on your project, and your tank looks great.

**roka64** · 11-03-2006, 09:40 AM

Great job!

**melosu58** · 11-03-2006, 09:55 AM

I`m impressed !!

newfound77951 · 11-05-2006, 04:11 PM

Thanks guys. I'd definitely recommend the AHSupply kits, they really do give you everything you need, and the directions are easy to follow. You do need to have some basic tools, including a wire stripper, but with a little thought about where to route everything, the assembly went very smoothly.

Oh, and yes, I should have put the front bulb and reflector a little further back....oh well.

boxxmann · 11-29-2006, 06:54 AM

looks really good!!

11-02-2006, 06:08 PM	#1
newfound77951 Aquarium Advice Addict Community Mentor Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Jamestown, RI Posts: 1,712	Canopy modification and lighting upgrade!!! So after my old end fittings fizzled (literally) and died, I bought 2, 1x96 watt Bright Kits from ahsupply. I have a Sedona canopy, which only has one cross brace, and no braces running the long way, so I modified the canopy to hold the reflectors and bulbs. I took some pictures of the completed canopy as I thought folks might like to see what I did. Serious thanks go to my wonderful boyfriend for doing all the wiring! Finished canopy, from the top. The horizontal slats are the added parts. They were made from some scrap 3/4" x 2.5" lumber I got for $1 a piece at Home Depot. I notched the ends to fit into the lip on the canopy where the glass would usually sit (I don't use the glass anyway) and stained the wood to match as best I could. Also 2 coats of satin varnish for water protection. The metal straps are the kind that people use to repair chairs etc. You can see the reflectors and also the ballasts screwed to the back frame of the canopy. The white strings are my low-tech canopy-hanging apparatus (for water changes and plant maintenance). Underneath, showing wiring route and one ballast: Other end underneath: Close up of one ballast installation: Top view on tank.....much more access for feeding now! Rear view with ballasts clearing HOB: My lousy, corroded old reflector. It was amazing to see how much less light spilled out to the wall behind the tank with the new reflectors on! Tank with new lights on!

11-02-2006, 09:33 PM	#2
drobertson Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 490	my hats off to both of you, well done on your project, and your tank looks great. __________________ http://www.fantasyreef.com/database/...getdb&db_id=8]

11-03-2006, 09:40 AM	#3
roka64 Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 10,864 Images: 12	Great job! __________________ Age is relative, you are only as old as you act....of course, this works in reverse.... Questions loved, heeded advice greatly appreciated! Vote for AA Good reading about: Nitrogen Cycle Fishless Cycling Need more help? Articles Acronym List --Scott

11-03-2006, 09:55 AM	#4
melosu58 SW 10 yrs and over Community Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Richmond Va Posts: 12,647 Images: 80	I`m impressed !! __________________ View My Tanks http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i1...8/melosu58.jpg Click here to Visit FantasyReef

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11-05-2006, 04:11 PM	#5
newfound77951 Aquarium Advice Addict Community Mentor Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Jamestown, RI Posts: 1,712	Thanks guys. I'd definitely recommend the AHSupply kits, they really do give you everything you need, and the directions are easy to follow. You do need to have some basic tools, including a wire stripper, but with a little thought about where to route everything, the assembly went very smoothly. Oh, and yes, I should have put the front bulb and reflector a little further back....oh well.

11-29-2006, 06:54 AM	#6
boxxmann Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Richmond, Va. Posts: 44	looks really good!!

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