125g canopies

[porksnorkel]

sup all. got started on my 125 canopies today. won't be doing a step by step, but here's how it's looking so far. hoping for a 3 week turnaround.

the entire front will open up, the center[where lights and fans will go] will be stationary, and the rear will have a deck lid for filter maintenance. i may even line the inside w/ styrofoam, to deaden some of the filter noise. i'll do a test first and see if it's needed.

 

[austinsdad]

Styrofoam and heat from lights OK?

You say canopies??? Got more than one 125g coming up?

 

[porksnorkel]

good point on the styro and lights austin. i hadn't thought of that. i guess i could use some of that insulated styro, but it may get moldy. i'll check around and see what's available if i need it.

yes...canopies. the pics above are two different canopies for the tanks in this thread...

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100229

 

[ccCapt]

What kind of lights are you planning on using? That canopy doesn't look too high. You may have heat issues. Mine is 14" high but I'm using MH's which will be about 10" above the water.

 

[austinsdad]

You're doing freshwater, right? Both tanks?

 

[porksnorkel]

What kind of lights are you planning on using? That canopy doesn't look too high. You may have heat issues. Mine is 14" high but I'm using MH's which will be about 10" above the water.

i'll be using 2 96W compacts from AH Supply. shouldn't be much of a heat problem. both tanks are freshwater, and one [the panaque community tank] will have mild plantings. mostly some form of vallis.

the canopies are 8" total and about 6.75" working height above tank.

 

[porksnorkel]

here's a look at this week's progress...

here's a shot of the back of one. u can see the front half seperated, and the rear lids.

and the back half of one standing on end. the oak strip is 3/4" ply, for supporting the lights. i'll add some metal braces after staining.

some fans i picked up at skycraft surplus.

and the always gratifying trim work. this is a shot of the 2 front halfs, almost completed.

copied from PF>:;<>

 

[austinsdad]

I mounted fans on both sides facing front center. Get decent flow/collision of the air.

 

[porksnorkel]

i'll use my fan as a puller and drill several 1 inch holes in the side. i think this will create a nice natural convection, w/ heat rising through the top and cold air pulling in from the sides. i don't have much room on the side for fans.