DIY Canopy, building a new one

[lagrew]

had a question I have a current DIY canopy for my system that i did not make, don't really like the look of it but it works, my question is can i make my canopy not as tall, my current one is 14 inches tall, my lighting system is as follows:


its a dual 250watt halide w/ a dual VHO ballast (180 each)
coralvue halides 14k & uri super atinics

Basically my question is how far off the water does it have to be, then that will answer my question on the canopy i think.

thanks

[MedicMike]

I"ve made canopies out of 1''x6''. that might get you a little closer to the water but not to close.

[usmc2b2004]

I've heard 6-10 inches but I have 2 175w on a 55 gallon about 2 inches off the water and it does change the temp. How high is it in the canopy you have now? Does the temp change for the day and night cycle?

[lagrew]

it is off the water by about 13 inches, i really don't like that, the temp really doesn't change all that much maybe by a degree, at night, I was wondering if i should adjust it for night a little more or not, but everything is working fine so i don't like to mess with it, just my current canopy is really two big, i also have a 55 gal.

[Loverotties]

6" - 10"

[usmc2b2004]

Originally Posted by lagrew

it is off the water by about 13 inches, i really don't like that, the temp really doesn't change all that much maybe by a degree, at night, I was wondering if i should adjust it for night a little more or not, but everything is working fine so i don't like to mess with it, just my current canopy is really two big, i also have a 55 gal.

I'm actually planning a DIY canopy build for my 120g and I am aiming for about 8 inches what I did to get a feel for the look was take a cardboard box and make a mock-up to see what will look like. Helps a lot.