Below are pictures of my latest build, a new canopy for my 180g com tank. My old one still has flourescent lighting so I thought it was about time I upgraded my canopy to fit new leds on.
Picture 1 shows the main framework. It is made from 2"×2" screwed together. Overkill yes, but my cat likes jumping up and lying on top of the canopy so i'm taking no chances with thinner wood. The actual outside dimensions are not 72x24, they're very slightly bigger. This will enable me, at a later date to affix a skirt around it to hide my bracing and water level on the tank. If I would have made it exactly 72x24 then once my skirt was fitted the chances are it would have been very tight to take off and put back on in future.
Picture 2 shows the main framework with an additional framework of 1"×1" added. This, in effect, now gives me five recessed areas where panels will sit snugly without any movement. Again, just screwed and glues. The format of the panels is just down to my own requirements to help with maintainance.
Picture 3 shows the canopy after i'd filled the screw holes with wood filler, sanded down and painted with exterior weathershield paint. The top is black, the bottom is brilliant white so I get maximum reflection back into the tank from the lights.
Picture 4 is of the finished article with panels on. The white ones are heavy duty corrugated polypropylene sheets, again the underside of these will help reflect light down into the tank. The clear ones are 8mm polycarbonate sheets and my leds will sit on top of this, as shown. I suspect a lot of light will shine up through the clear areas. In time I may paint part of the polycarb sheets with black paint to help keep all the light in the tank, we'll see.
The new canopy and lights will be going on my 180g in the next couple of weeks.
Picture 1 shows the main framework. It is made from 2"×2" screwed together. Overkill yes, but my cat likes jumping up and lying on top of the canopy so i'm taking no chances with thinner wood. The actual outside dimensions are not 72x24, they're very slightly bigger. This will enable me, at a later date to affix a skirt around it to hide my bracing and water level on the tank. If I would have made it exactly 72x24 then once my skirt was fitted the chances are it would have been very tight to take off and put back on in future.
Picture 2 shows the main framework with an additional framework of 1"×1" added. This, in effect, now gives me five recessed areas where panels will sit snugly without any movement. Again, just screwed and glues. The format of the panels is just down to my own requirements to help with maintainance.
Picture 3 shows the canopy after i'd filled the screw holes with wood filler, sanded down and painted with exterior weathershield paint. The top is black, the bottom is brilliant white so I get maximum reflection back into the tank from the lights.
Picture 4 is of the finished article with panels on. The white ones are heavy duty corrugated polypropylene sheets, again the underside of these will help reflect light down into the tank. The clear ones are 8mm polycarbonate sheets and my leds will sit on top of this, as shown. I suspect a lot of light will shine up through the clear areas. In time I may paint part of the polycarb sheets with black paint to help keep all the light in the tank, we'll see.
The new canopy and lights will be going on my 180g in the next couple of weeks.
