Canopy Construction...

[Mastiffman]

I'm getting ready to build a custom canopy to along with the stand that I made (not finished yet) so that I can install the Tanks lighting into it..

The tank is a 180 gallon Clarity Plus crylic tank. I was windering what the general consensus is for the Thickness of the Hood's wood.

Is it best to use precut solid wood pieces for the sides and then plywood for the top or Can I build the whole thing out of plywood and use Corner Bracing blocks or 1x1 framing to stablize the hood build...

 

[Mastiffman]

Anyone?

 

[pshtex]

just from a cabinet making perspective, if it is a canopy then plywood would be fine by itself, if it is the right thickness. i am not sure on what exactly u plan to do but it should be fine without extra bracing. kitchen cabinet are made with no bracing all the time and they hold lots of stuff.

 

[Mastiffman]

just from a cabinet making perspective, if it is a canopy then plywood would be fine by itself, if it is the right thickness. i am not sure on what exactly u plan to do but it should be fine without extra bracing. kitchen cabinet are made with no bracing all the time and they hold lots of stuff.

Thanks for the reply!

It's just going to be a simple canopy that lifts just the top from the Framing. The Top will have some trim on it and the lighting underneith....

Would it be better to mount the lighting and leave that attached to the rear section of the Canopy and have the front portion liftable? Or swing up? So you would see a seam from the side....

 

[pshtex]

sorry but i am not following u

 

[Mastiffman]

sorry but i am not following u

Sorry...

Lets say that I build the Framing out of 1x6" Stock. Then I take 3/4 Hardeply and make the top for it. BUT, the 3/4" top covers the framing from the top. In the back of the framing (at the back of the tank) I have hinges that allow the top to swing upwards to lift the top and prop it up. At the edge of the 3/4" top I have small crown molding on the front and sides... This model would obviously have a lighting attached to the bottom side of the 3/4" top...

OR

Making the whole canopy as 2 sperate pieces. A front piece and back piece with a piano hinge or something as efficeint in between the two. This model would have the lights attached to the back portion of the canopy on the underside. So when I swing the front portion of the canopy open the lights would remain in position on the bottom side of the rear section.

 

[littlewangzfan]

Your first design is similar to what I built. 1"x2" frame all around then I wrapped it with 1/4" plywood. Makes it light enough to lift the cover. And the canopy will not put too much weight on the tank IMO.

 

[Mastiffman]

Your first design is similar to what I built. 1"x2" frame all around then I wrapped it with 1/4" plywood. Makes it light enough to lift the cover. And the canopy will not put too much weight on the tank IMO.

Ya know, this is a good idea being that it's an acrylic. but it is a 180 with 1/2" Acrylic and there really isn't much bow at all and I have temp at 80-81*... But I still think that the lighter the Canopy the better.

Have you noticed any issues with the bulbs getting in the way while cleaning, feeding or aquascaping? Anything like that? Is there anything that You would change about the design and where the bulbs Sit?

Thanks for the response!!!

 

[littlewangzfan]

I made the front one piece with hinges for easier feeding and I can do maintenance easily without removing the whole canopy. My tank is 90g BTW.

 

[pshtex]

in terms of weight, the difference will be negligible so it will come down to preference i think you could combine the ideas and so u had quick access from the front and also better access for maintenance it would only be the added weight of a hinge and possible some sort of lock-out bar/kickstand to have it propped open. only if u combined them i would just have the front panel lift out with out including the any portion of the sides

and i would not worry about framing it that will add unnecessary weight to the tank and canopy