MH Lighting Canopy

aquatechy · #1 09-30-2008, 09:33 PM

Hey everybody,

My fish are always jumping out of my tank(my wrasse, anthias, and gobies). I made some covers using screens that are used for window screens, but they are cutting alot of light. So I'm now deciding to get/make a canopy. What is the best way to get/make a canopy and include a lighting system(retrofit kit or custom wire??)

Thanxx

Chowder · #2 09-30-2008, 09:46 PM

You could also use egg crate. It is a light defusser that they sell at home depot. It comes and white and with a crome finish. This would let alot more light through. On building a cap you can look at some of the tank builds on this site to get an idea.

Chris

mseepman · #3 09-30-2008, 09:58 PM

Here's a link to my DIY canopy. I had the intention of hanging it above the tank, but if you extended the sides down and made it the same size as the tank, you could do something similar that would sit on the tank

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/sho...t=41662&page=2

There are a lot of good canopies on here so I'm sure you will find something.

aquatechy · #4 10-02-2008, 09:59 PM

Yeah, that looks really good. Where did you get the parts? How much would it cost to put together a fixture like that? What about the heat: I have to make the fixture with 250watt bulbs; will it be alright? I'm a bit concerned that it might be too hot.

Can i use a retrofit fixture in a canopy that i build?

JDigital · #5 10-04-2008, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mseepman

Here's a link to my DIY canopy. I had the intention of hanging it above the tank, but if you extended the sides down and made it the same size as the tank, you could do something similar that would sit on the tank

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/sho...t=41662&page=2

There are a lot of good canopies on here so I'm sure you will find something.

That is really nice!

Much better than mine... I am actually in the process of adding a cooling system to mine today.. will post pics when I'm done.

mark · #6 10-04-2008, 09:39 PM

Wanted to keep a low canopy and since would be tight then to get into the tank, I just made a open frame with 2x2" and covered with 10mm plywood. The sides are deep enough to hang below the top trim of the tank. Originally used magnets to hold the front and back panels but switched to hinges on the top (tanks a room divider so need access from both sides). Mounted the MH mini-pendents inside and a T5 retro kit.

aquatechy · #7 10-05-2008, 12:45 AM

Hey man,

That looks awesome as well. What kind of lighting pendants are those?? do you thing that a canopy is a better solution that egg crate? (besides the cost)

Thanxx

mark · #8 10-05-2008, 02:16 AM

PFO DE 250W pendants.

With a canopy not as much will spill into the room.

mseepman · #9 10-05-2008, 03:09 AM

Hey, sorry for the delayed response. I got the parts from various places...

I got the retrofit MH from aquabuys.com and the MH ballast from ballastwise.com I got the Nova Extreme X2 from OA and the LED's from OA as well.

Everything else I built or pulled from other things.

On the cooling front, I have fans pulling and pusing inside the fixture run by my RK2 to coincide with the MH running. I also have a bank of fans running on the sump connected to the RK2 as well for when the tank temp goes up.

aquatechy · #10 10-06-2008, 09:54 PM

The way i'm leaning now is just to buy the canopy that all glass or oceanic systems make, and then fit lighting inside it. I'm looking to do 250 watt halides and VHO actinics. Do you guys think that that is a good idea? I'm still concerned with the heat from 250 watt halides; could they be a danger in a wooden canopy? If so. would fans help?

Thanxx