Canopy: Yes or No?

[Daniel@R2R]

I'm planning out my new tank (yep, it's gonna happen, y'all!!), and I'm trying to decide on if I should go with a canopy or an open top. What do you guys think? Also, what are the benefits of a canopy beyond just the aesthetics? Btw, feel free to post any alternative ideas (i.e. I'm also considering a floating canopy as a possibility).

 

[Daniel@R2R]

Btw, my ceiling is such that if I don't go with a canopy, I'll be using a light mount of some kind with legs that rest on the tank. Hanging the lights from the ceiling would be a pain because of the slope.

 

[Dbichler]

I like a fully enclosed canopy especially for a larger tank. On my 210 I hung my lights from the top with m4 bolts and used a 2.5” hole doser for the fans to vent. Feel like evaporation is limited then and just looks clean.

 

[flagg37]

Floating.

It’s hinges along the back so that it can flip up for tank maintenance and so that the cords can be passed down in the wall.

 

[dvgyfresh]

I like floating canopy , leaving the top of tank to evap / exchange co2 is really important. Just had a friend lose most of his fish due to his canopy , didn’t allow enough oxygen exchange and slowly over time co2 built up - if he had apex would’ve noticed ph drop

 

[ReefBeta]

Blocking light shining into my eyes is the upmost important reason to have a canopy. I imagine it's important if there is sitting area near the tank. If it's stand only, it's less important.

 

[Andresnyc93]

I love the close canopy look, I had my stand custom made and I don’t have issues with ph ever since I installed my Co2 scrubber, tank looks cleaner and there’s no light spill whatsoever. I do leave my door on the stand open so it can get fresh air in the tank but I barely have any evaporation.

 

[Labridaedicted]

Always used a canopy and probably always will. Helps with the light bleed so the fish can't see me and let's the act more naturally.

Also keeps me from going blind.

Haven't taken a pic with the radions installed yet, but how much nicer is the viewing without all that light in your eyeballs?

 

[Utubereefer]

Floater

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

I like the floating look but with a small wrap around facade cover for the lights...
D

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

^^^ this. Lol

 

[Utubereefer]

^^^ this. Lol

It’s Velcroed on pvc board

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Hey man. Whatever works lol.
D

 

[Rob K]

Floating.

It’s hinges along the back so that it can flip up for tank maintenance and so that the cords can be passed down in the wall.

That’s a nice clean look. Is that glass or some other material below the AP700s?

 

[Utubereefer]

Hey man. Whatever works lol.
D

It works great and looks decent! My canopy is also hinged so I can tilt it up for full access

 

[Anemone_Fanatic]

Open top with a mesh lid is what I prefer on small tanks. The mesh stops carpet surfing, but still lets you look down. If you have a large tank, floating canopies look great. They hide your lights and cords while still allowing you to get a look down into the water. If you don't mind me asking, what tank are you going to get? If I am correct, you are looking at something 180-300 gallons, yes?

 

[reefnfun]

You said it was a large tank. I have had full and floating. The full canopy limited my access to certain areas of the tank. The floating canopy gives me full access to the entire tank. Full canopy = no light creep. floating canopy = tons of light creep. We don't need lamps in the living room. I hope this helps you out

 

[stovenut]

Protect your eyes. Add a canopy. Worried about gas exchange, cut a small circular hole and add a fan to the canopy. I can't sit and stare at my tank for hours without a canopy. Period. I also use orange UV glasses when I zone out in front of my tank.

 

[flagg37]

That’s a nice clean look. Is that glass or some other material below the AP700s?

I build stairs and the aluminum U channel was a spare cutoff from a project. It is made for 1/2” (or larger) glass. The piece pictured is 1/2” tempered Starphire glass.

 

[Sean Clark]

I have done both open top and canopy. I like the canopy for a few reasons. The main benefit is containing the light. I enjoy my blues like a lot other people do. I do not want my living room filled with blue light. The tank should be an elegant addition to the room and not dominate the room.