canopy hood design

[ahmed24]

hello,

i am in the process of building a cabinet for my 4foot tank. i am planning to use 4"x4" timbers for the main corner support and the remaining structure will be made with 4"x2".

i am trying to plan to build a hood/canopy aswell, but most of the peoples canopy designs i've looked at looks like they design the unit and then just rest it ontop of the tank. I was thinking of not overloading the tank with such weight. does anyone have any input in this matter? is there another way i could possibly do this.

thanks

[dngspot]

What are you making the canopy out of? You are right most people, including myself, do place the canopy on top of the tank. Most manufactured canopys are made the same way.

[ahmed24]

well i will try and possibly use maybe ply to keep the weight as low as possible. and will probably use some 2"x2" timbers aswell. You think it will take the weight?

[crvz]

There are a number of options for keeping the weight of the canopy off the tank. One choice is to bring supports up from the stand behind the tank and attach the canopy from these points. Lumber may have a tendency to bow, though, and I've seen this be more successful when built from steel. I've even seen where the canopy is mounted in this fashion onto actuators that automatically lift the canopy off the tank to give clearance for maintenance.

Another option I've seen recently is to mount the canopy to the wall behind the tank, if possible (or hang it from the ceiling). All told, though, the tank can support quite a bit of weight and most of this is not necessary. Is there something specific you plan on using on the tank that brings about this concern?

[crvz]

Originally Posted by ahmed24

well i will try and possibly use maybe ply to keep the weight as low as possible. and will probably use some 2"x2" timbers aswell. You think it will take the weight?

My canopy probably weighs about 60-70 lbs when fully loaded (with the lights), and I'm not concerned about it hurting my tank (assuming I don't drop it in place!).

[ahmed24]

If the tank can support the weight then i think it would look more nicer if its resting on the tank itself. I dont like the idea of bringing support from the base cabinet because it doesnt looking visually attractive

[crvz]

Originally Posted by ahmed24

If the tank can support the weight then i think it would look more nicer if its resting on the tank itself. I dont like the idea of bringing support from the base cabinet because it doesnt looking visually attractive

I agree, I don't think it looks as nice. What kind of tank do you have, and how thick is the glass? I'd be surprised if it couldnt support the weight...

[Geoff]

glass tanks can support a huge amount of weight vertically. i had an old canopy that weighed close to 40 lbs resting on my 55 for over 10yrs, with no problems.

G~

[dngspot]

My canopy is 26 inches tall it is made of oak plywood. I do not have any 2x2 timbers, not that it will hurt, but it may be overkill. The manufactured stands use 1 inch wood to support large tanks. Your canopy will not be supporting that much weight. I would recommend you look at the LFS and check out the building techniques the manufactures use or any friends use.
I am building a canopy now; I have sawdust all over me. Take a look at my thread and you will see how I do it. My way is not the only way but it works for me. I will post as I move forward.
http://www.wichitaaquariumclub.com/f...hread.php?t=18

[hng]

I have made both of my tank stands in the "clam shell" design whre the cabinet envelops the tank. The hood is hinged and supported by the cabinet itself and not by the tank.