fishfreek's Canopy Design

[fishfreek]

Another DIY that I did was to make some canopies to hold my PC lights.

I used 1 sheet of 1/2" plywood and had enough to make the 2 canopies I needed for my 45 and 20 gal tanks.

Some of the design highlights of this canopy.

Canopy's by design cover the entire top of the tank. A hood only covers a small section of the top of the tank. By completely enclosing the top of the tank I have removed my glass lid to provide superior gas exchange at the water's surface.
Canopy rests on the sides of the tank using small blocks of wood approximatly 1 1/2" up from the bottom of the canopy. This allows the canopy to overlap the outside of the tank three sides making it very secure. IT CAN NOT BE KNOCKED OFF ACCEDENTLY.
The back is left open or could be closed off slightly depending on if you have any hang on style equipment.
A large access door on the front of the canopy to allow maximum access to the tank.
Front access door can have an optional locking hinge installed to keep the door open during service and not falling down and hitting you in the arm or head. Ouch!.
Optional hinges in the center of the canopy to allow even more access if need be.

Canopy Extra's that could be incorporated into this design

Add vent holes for the air that is heated by the bulbs and the ballasts to escape
If you feel that your lights are causing an undesirable temperature increase the additional of one or two vent fans to assist in the removal of the "hot" air.
If you add vent fans be sure to position them so they blow into the canopy. I have heard that if you have the fans blowing out over time salt build up will occur on the fan and they will fail
Instead of using PC bulbs and ballast this canopy will accept VHO, Standard florecent, or even MH bulbs. (Note if your going to use MH's make the canopy taller to allow for the bulbs being suspended down)

Some Design drawings

Measurements

The simple single body design

This design folds up in the center to provide additional room to work in the tank

Now the last thing I would like to say is that I am by no means a carpenter, nor am I very good with wood work. So with that said here are some photos of the before/after and during construction