Canopy build

[phatbob]

I've been working on my first real DIY canopy. This is for my 29 gallon tank and will house PC lighting. I'm not really working from a plan, so I'm just kind of making it up as I go along. I've got a frame built now that sits nice and snug on top of the tank. Now I have start on the box that will house the lights, which will fit right over the opening. I like a nice low, streamlined canopy, so thats the look I'm going for.

 

[phatbob]

...and here's the old piece of junk it will be replacing. I built this "temporary" canopy out of scrap wood and spare supplies in my father's garage about 7 years ago. I think it's waaaaay overdue for replacement. I hate when "temporary" solutions become permanent!

 

[phatbob]

Been trying to decide between using some kind of reflector for the lights, or just painting the inside with white paint. Would there be a dramatic difference in the amount of light reflected?

I'm also thinking about using a thin piece of plexi-glass as a shield between the lights and the water. Would this have any negative effects on the light ouput?

 

[NateHanson]

Your frame looks like a nice start! I think this things going to be a fine looking canopy.

I don't see any advantage to putting plexi under the PCs. It'll keep you from having to clean salt spray off the bulbs, but since the shield will be closer to the water, it'll get even more spray on it than the bulbs would. So you'll have to clean the shield. On the other hand, maybe it's easier to wipe off the shield every couple days, than to get salt off all the reflectors and bulbs and fittings. I can see advantages and disadvantages to both ways.

 

[phatbob]

Your frame looks like a nice start! I think this things going to be a fine looking canopy.

I don't see any advantage to putting plexi under the PCs. It'll keep you from having to clean salt spray off the bulbs, but since the shield will be closer to the water, it'll get even more spray on it than the bulbs would. So you'll have to clean the shield. On the other hand, maybe it's easier to wipe off the shield every couple days, than to get salt off all the reflectors and bulbs and fittings. I can see advantages and disadvantages to both ways.

Yeah, I was just thinking that it would be easier to clean the shield every now and then, rather than having to clean the bulbs and reflectors. I think I'm going to rig the plexi-glass up with a small magnet in each of the four corners to hold it in place in the canopy. Then it'll be real easy to pop it out for cleaning, or to get rid of it completely if I decide I don't like it.

 

[phatbob]

Just a paper mock-up of a reflector for the lights. The top has yet to be enclosed, but this gives you an idea of how it would fit inside. Anyone have any suggestions on a good material to use to make a reflector? I was thinking of aluminum flashing, but it isn't all that shiny. I might try some aluminum polish on this and see what happens.

 

[sleepy]

looking real good.

 

[NateHanson]

Some people have used chrome tape from an autoparts store. It's supposedly really shiney and cheap. Make a wood reflector and coat it with the chrome tape.

 

[Jim Tansey]

I would purchase a good reflector or reflectors and custom fit them to your conopy, its not worth putting makeshift reflectors on a otherwise good lighting system.

Jim

 

[phatbob]

I would purchase a good reflector or reflectors and custom fit them to your conopy, its not worth putting makeshift reflectors on a otherwise good lighting system.

Jim

I kind of feel the same way, but I can't find a good reflector for PC lighting anywhere. Been surfing tons of websites, and can only find quality reflectors for MH and T5 lighting. So if anyone knows of a link to a good reflector that will fit 2 55W PCs, I'd love to know. Thanks.

 

[pvh]

I can't wait to see how this end up. I'm in the process of building a stand and canopy for my tank as well.

 

[NateHanson]

Any interest in replacing your lights with T5s while you're building the new canopy?

One of the reasons you probably can't find good PC reflectors is because the shape of PCs isn't very good for efficient reflection. T5s and MH are designed for much better reflection rates. I think if you're really concerned about getting optimal reflection, PCs aren't the way to go, and for that reason there aren't many high-performance reflectors for them (because it is a bit of a $10-dollar-saddle-on-a-$5-dollar-horse type of problem.)

Just a thought.

 

[pvh]

I just order the Nova T5 for $200 with 4 bulbs. However it's on backorder until end of the month. Let me know if you want the site.

 

[phatbob]

I can't wait to see how this end up. I'm in the process of building a stand and canopy for my tank as well.

Unfortunately it's a slooow process. I live in an apartment building, so I'm not really set up to do woodworking there. I've been buying a couple of pieces of wood at a time, then taking them to my parent's house to use my dad's tools. Then I cut the pieces as needed, bring them home, and fit them into place. Then I figure out what I need next, go back to Home Depot, then back to my parents.......and so on, and so on. Could probably build this in a weekend with the proper setup, but it's been spread out over about a month's time so far......lol

 

[FinzAquatics]

Any interest in replacing your lights with T5s while you're building the new canopy?

One of the reasons you probably can't find good PC reflectors is because the shape of PCs isn't very good for efficient reflection. T5s and MH are designed for much better reflection rates. I think if you're really concerned about getting optimal reflection, PCs aren't the way to go, and for that reason there aren't many high-performance reflectors for them (because it is a bit of a $10-dollar-saddle-on-a-$5-dollar-horse type of problem.)

Just a thought.

i will second his opinion. not only are t5's better than pcs as far as lighting goes. the bulbs last longer, are cheaper, run cooler so they aren't that bad of a burden on your electrical.

 

[phatbob]

i will second his opinion. not only are t5's better than pcs as far as lighting goes. the bulbs last longer, are cheaper, run cooler so they aren't that bad of a burden on your electrical.

Oh man, y'all had to go and throw a wrench into my plans half way through the project...... J/K....ideas are always welcome. Wouldn't hurt to look into it at this stage anyway. pvh, go ahead and send me that link if you've got it. Thanks.

 

[pvh]

Phatbob, here it is
https://www82.safesecureweb.com/webaquatics/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=CT5HOF

 

[phatbob]

Not a lot of progress this weekend, but I did get started on the top portion that will house the lights.

 

[phatbob]

....

 

[phatbob]

I plan to make the top both hinged and completely removeable for easy access to the tank. I also came across some nice looking reflectors for PC lighting at ahsupply.com. The reflectors are each 4" wide, and I need 2 of them. But I only have 7" of width to work with to install them. I think I'll be able to trim 1/2" off the width of each one without having too much of an effect on the light reflected.