I have a 7'x2' tank that I want to build a canopy for. I have been doing some research and trying to get some ideas for how I want to do it. I have one big question though that will decide how I proceed. Can I put the canopy right on the tank or does it need to be hung from a ceiling or somehow supported so the weight is not on the tank? I am assuming it's going to end up being around 75-100 lbs but that's just a guess at this point. Any advice? Thanks
7' x 2' canopy build
- Thread starter talon
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Is your tank rimless or does it have a frame?
It also depends on what look you'd like, do you like it sitting on the tank or do you prefer it to be hanging? and also what lighting you want to use as well.
It also depends on what look you'd like, do you like it sitting on the tank or do you prefer it to be hanging? and also what lighting you want to use as well.
It is a rimmed tank. It has a wood frame. I would rather not hang it since it in in my basement with a drop ceiling so hanging it that it looked good may be a challenge. I just have two orbit marine pro lights over it now but am going to switch to some hanging led lights soon.
You can sit it on the tank no problem. I built a canopy for my 300 gallon, it was 8ft long with a hinged front. You don't need to overbuild it. I used 1x2 verticals that actually sat on the top and then mounted 1x2 inch oak plywood to those and the frame that I built out of 1x2. Just make sure you build it tall enough for the lights to be off the water the correct height, or you can cut holes in the top and have them sit up there, so the canopy doesn't look super tall and you access them easily
Ted_C
Active Member
I had this same problem on an 8ft tank I am putting together. I'm supporting two pac sun Pandora S2 LEDs (30 pounds each). the challenges are: I want a piano hinge open front and I want the Pac Suns to be outside of the canopy (for cooling). I dont want any light seepage from the canopy (tank's behind the couch in the living room).
I'm building a frame to support the pac suns out of EZ-Tube aluminum extrusions. I'll then skin the canopy with cabinet doors by drilling and screwing them into the ez-tube (or having a cabinet maker help me out with that part). I thought a while on just using the ez-tube as the skin holder with 1/4 acrylic (they make the extrusions with fins on the tubes in alot of different configurations - where the fins could hold a 1/4" piece of plywood or acrylic or HDPE) but decided against it - it would be very complicated to plan out how to do that.
I figure my piano hinge will only be 4' long and I'll do two of them with the doors built with an overlap to prevent light spillage.
I'm building a frame to support the pac suns out of EZ-Tube aluminum extrusions. I'll then skin the canopy with cabinet doors by drilling and screwing them into the ez-tube (or having a cabinet maker help me out with that part). I thought a while on just using the ez-tube as the skin holder with 1/4 acrylic (they make the extrusions with fins on the tubes in alot of different configurations - where the fins could hold a 1/4" piece of plywood or acrylic or HDPE) but decided against it - it would be very complicated to plan out how to do that.
I figure my piano hinge will only be 4' long and I'll do two of them with the doors built with an overlap to prevent light spillage.
Im trying to find some pics of my canopy that I built. I eventually switched to a floating canopy so I could access the tank easier.
I ended up using 5 stainless steel hinges I bought online across the opening. Piano hinges I always found rusted rather quickly and needed replacement.
The aluminum sub frame is also a good idea , I used that when I built my floating canopy that was hung from teh ceiling and wrapped in oak to hide everything
I cant find any of the canopy that sat on my 300 but have a couple of the build of the floating canopy, here they are. I originally had Lumenbright Metal Halide with VHO and eventually switched to ATO Powermodules
Thomasj616
Community Member
I am actually building a new top for my 125. I built my original one out of 1x pine and it's about 12" tall. I put two doors on the front and trimmed them out with stainless steel. Looks great and works well. Until I have to do more then feed my fish. The doors I made are a bit to small.
The new top will be about 16" tall and I will be using cabinet doors to match the cabinet on the right. That is where I keep my fresh water top off and other supplies. I am also making the front 20% hinged with stainless piano hinges so I can flip the entire front up for ease of access.
The biggest obstacle was seeing how much I could hinge back. The back stationary section acts as a counter balance for when the front is hinged in the open position.
It's coming along, I plan on posting picks of the finished project soon.
The new top will be about 16" tall and I will be using cabinet doors to match the cabinet on the right. That is where I keep my fresh water top off and other supplies. I am also making the front 20% hinged with stainless piano hinges so I can flip the entire front up for ease of access.
The biggest obstacle was seeing how much I could hinge back. The back stationary section acts as a counter balance for when the front is hinged in the open position.
It's coming along, I plan on posting picks of the finished project soon.
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