Building a Canopy for my 180

[cbarbero]

Just got finished setting up my new 180 and when it came to moving the light over it (Giesemann 400+), the wife decided that would not work. So back to the drawing board. Here is what I would like to do, is this a bad idea?

I want to build a six inch high canopy and on each side put in two, four inch computer fans for heat dissapation. I will place the light inside and between the tank and the light put a slab of plexiglass or glass so the light will remain clean. I will also want to run misc wires for my powerheads through this.

Has anyone done this and have any suggestions?

Thanks,
Chris

[tabwyo]

I am biuldin a hood as well. But mine will be about 12 inches. I am putin 2 MHs over a 55 so I want plenty of area for air movement. I am also toying with the idea of putting mirror tile behind the lights and at 45 degree angles to act as super reflectors. The plexy glass might turn out to be a pain in the butt. You'll have to clean it daily to allow the maximum amount of light to pass through it. I tried glass with the first hood I built and it was so troublesome. A little extra hieght on the hood will keep the light high enough to keep clean.

[Geoff]

any kind of solid covering over the waters surface will be problematic. not only are they nearly impossible to keep clean, they also trap in a lot of heat. it makes it difficult to keep the tank cool.

if you are just using flourescent lights than you can get away with the setup you are suggesting. if you are planning on MH's than i would suggest making the canopy at least 12" high.

G~

[tims]

Yup i would make it a few more inches taller, even if you do not run with MH, you will have the room later down the line...i just finsihed one with 10 inches inside clearance.that gives plenty of room to get in to it and mess around.

[wanareef]

I have read about using mirrors as a reflector and IMO - it won't work. Besides the weight, the light has to travel through the glass, hit the "silver" back and then travel back thriough the glass again. You loose light and in the salt enviroment, nobody knows if the "silver" on the mirror will hold up or if it starts to flake off, the harm of poisoning the tank.

The 12" is idea as my hood is tha tall but the lights are 9" from the water.

[cbarbero]

Thanks for all the help, I think I am going to go with a 12" canopy and add a second Giesemann light (this time a moonlight 260 http://www.giesemann.de) in it.

Again, Thanks.

[125G's]

One other quick thought would be to suspend the canopy rather than having it sit on top of the tank. I find it makes tank clean up easier and helps keep the tank cooler.

[tims]

what do you mean suspend?

[125G's]

Hang it from the ceiling, or attach it to the wall like a shelf where it hangs out from the wall over the tank.

[Flatfish]

I like the suspended idea. I would have gone that way with my 120 except that the stand is almost 40" high. That would ahve made the suspended MH to distracting since they be at eye level of above for most viewers.

Putting two 400W in a 12" hood may be a heat challenge. Make sure you produce positive air flow with the fans. IE have one or more draw fresh air while the other's exhaust. IMHO PC fans won't cut it.

[cbarbero]

Well.... I made the canopy and am not thrilled. Too tall. Makes working in the tank a disaster. I am heading back to the drawing board. May need some more power tools though. I like the idea of suspending the canopy however I need to at least have closure on top of the tank. I now have 2 Geismann lights and they would blind me if I suspended them or the canopy.

Anyone have any specs or links for a useable 180 canopy? Maybe I should just buy one from Oceanic.

Thanks for all the ideas,

Chris