Canopy or No Canopy

[JHud88]

I have a newer Waterbox 50.3 AIO in my home office. I initially built a simple canopy to help hide the light when sitting near the aquarium. I’ve also go an InTank rear chamber cover. I’m split of which way to go. I fell the look without the canopy is more modern but the light bleed is rough and I haven’t found a shade for the AP9X. I do like the hidden water level with the canopy.

What does the community think looks best?

 

[slowngreen]

Personally I vote canopy. Ive always preferred the look of canopy setups.

 

[Reefering1]

Canopy!

 

[TastesLikeChicken]

Canopy is very old school. These days they don’t even have lids on aquariums.

 

[petcellar]

It is old school.... :) But I'm a bit partial to the canopy look.

 

[cilyjr]

I don't like the look of the lights just exposed, nor do I like a heavy canopy on the tank that over hangs the tank by an inch or so on each side. I went for a floating look

 

[JHud88]

I don't like the look of the lights just exposed, nor do I like a heavy canopy on the tank that over hangs the tank by an inch or so on each side. I went for a floating look

That's different, I like it. If i didn't have the AIO in the back i would definitely do this.

 

[NE reefer]

The question for me is do
you prefer a clean look or light bleeding. Without a canopy i sometimes find it distracting

 

[Fish Fan]

I don't like the look of the lights just exposed, nor do I like a heavy canopy on the tank that over hangs the tank by an inch or so on each side. I went for a floating look

Nice looking setup! What is the white around the top of the tank? Is this a tank with a white plastic top rim, or is that additional trim added to make things "blend".

I am considering a similar setup for my next build. With a floating canopy, you can hide the lights and much of the light spill, but ventilation is less of a concern, and there's no canopy doors or panels to get in the way when you have to maintain the tank.

 

[IceNein]

I guess I'm the odd man out here, but I like canopies for large tanks. I would want to hide everything. All I want to see is reef.

 

[bobnicaragua]

Canopies keep the fish from jumping, eliminate light spill, protect from pollutants, and hide my monstrosity of lights!

They’re also a good place to keep power supplies.

 

[cilyjr]

Nice looking setup! What is the white around the top of the tank? Is this a tank with a white plastic top rim, or is that additional trim added to make things "blend".

I am considering a similar setup for my next build. With a floating canopy, you can hide the lights and much of the light spill, but ventilation is less of a concern, and there's no canopy doors or panels to get in the way when you have to maintain the tank.

It's door moulding that I cut and painted to match the canopy. It's adhered with a heavy duty double sided tape.

 

[Fish Fan]

It's door moulding that I cut and painted to match the canopy. It's adhered with a heavy duty double sided tape.

Nice touch, thank you for your reply!