Canopy: Yes or No?

[mlivvy]

I really liked open top but I had alot of light spill and the tank shares the living room with my home theater.

 

[geckoejon]

floating, but I’ve gotta tear this down for a bsmt remodel

Very niiiice…. May I have some pics & specs on how it is hung & designed?

this is the type of look I want to go for!

 

[Dburr1014]

Canopy, wish it was taller.

 

[BanjoBandito]

Canopies are fine, but you better think ahead and think about getting into the tank, adding equipment, etc. they are a real pain to work around. Would I have one? No. Closest I would get is a wall tank with an open top behind the wall. I’m in my tank, I do things in my tank. Should you have a canopy? That’s on you. If you are one of these “hands off aquarists” or have a “set it and forget it” then go for it.

 

[gibbers]

I am doing 1/2 canopy. Basically high enough to stop some light bleeding yet low enough to manage the tank as necessary

 

[csnmusic02]

I'm a big canopy that is open so light spill on top but not blinding

 

[vetteguy53081]

Im 100% canopy. No canopy - No tank

 

[Richsoar]

A canopy helps cut so of the water noise, gurgling overflows, light cooling fans and the such. I don't have any such device on any of my tanks but do have glass covers, which I'm not a fan of because I can never keep them clean. I like the open tanks I see so much of on this site, but wonder about jumpers. I have lost a few fish when I've taken the tops off.

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

Canopies are fine, but you better think ahead and think about getting into the tank, adding equipment, etc. they are a real pain to work around. Would I have one? No. Closest I would get is a wall tank with an open top behind the wall. I’m in my tank, I do things in my tank. Should you have a canopy? That’s on you. If you are one of these “hands off aquarists” or have a “set it and forget it” then go for it.

Hate canopys much, lol. Been using one off and on for years and I get into my tank with no issues. Just caught a fish with a net this morning and removed 80+ pounds of rock. Its no harder than not having one. The lack of light bleed alone makes it worth it.

I'd rather have the canopy hide the light gear and keep my evaporation to a minimum. Also beats some exposed netting for a lid or a expensive lid kit.

 

[Dcal]

Canopies are fine, but you better think ahead and think about getting into the tank, adding equipment, etc. they are a real pain to work around. Would I have one? No. Closest I would get is a wall tank with an open top behind the wall. I’m in my tank, I do things in my tank. Should you have a canopy? That’s on you. If you are one of these “hands off aquarists” or have a “set it and forget it” then go for it.

idk why having to constantly be working on your tank is some sorta flex lol

 

[BanjoBandito]

Hate canopys much, lol. Been using one off and on for years and I get into my tank with no issues. Just caught a fish with a net this morning and removed 80+ pounds of rock. Its no harder than not having one. The lack of light bleed alone makes it worth it.

I'd rather have the canopy hide the light gear and keep my evaporation to a minimum. Also beats some exposed netting for a lid or a expensive lid kit.

At this point I don’t mind the arms, but even they get in the way. Next “forever tank” or like “dream tank” I still don’t think I’d do a canopy. I just really don’t mind the look of it - hanging lights. In the wall seems best, but then you don’t get that side shot and/3D kinda view. I would hang lights, before arms. Mainly for cost and 2 for looks. I kinda dig it…dude, you HAVE to flaunt some tech/experience right? Canopy doesn’t show any of that. It needs to be impressive right? LOOK HOW COOL THIS IS, ALSO I HAVE DORY AND NEMO.

 

[Sean Clark]

At this point I don’t mind the arms, but even they get in the way. Next “forever tank” or like “dream tank” I still don’t think I’d do a canopy. I just really don’t mind the look of it - hanging lights. In the wall seems best, but then you don’t get that side shot and/3D kinda view. I would hang lights, before arms. Mainly for cost and 2 for looks. I kinda dig it…dude, you HAVE to flaunt some tech/experience right? Canopy doesn’t show any of that. It needs to be impressive right? LOOK HOW COOL THIS IS, ALSO I HAVE DORY AND NEMO.

I don't get many tinder dates showing off my magic card tricks. Nemo and Dory are solid wingmen.

 

[BanjoBandito]

idk why having to constantly be working on your tank is some sorta flex

It’s more impressive if I look busy all the time. “THIS IS STRESSFUL” ya know. “OH HE MUST BE SO SMART”.

I don't get many tinder dates showing off my my magic card tricks. Nemo and Dory are solid wingmen.

best advice I can give is this: women do not care about the skimmate so buy expensive tangs. Try and keep a ratio of compliments to requests at roughly 3:1 to maintain carbonate hardness. Chicks dig alkalinity.

 

[Gjedde]

My work desk and flytying table is next to my tank. Very bright light is super helpful for me so definitely open top.

 

[Freddy0144]

This is really one of those topics that is to each their own. I personally love to see floating lights/canopies. I think that a canopy will reduce my willingness to do needed maintenance. That being stated, looking through this thread there are some beautiful setups with canopies which fit the decor of the home very nicely.

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

At this point I don’t mind the arms, but even they get in the way. Next “forever tank” or like “dream tank” I still don’t think I’d do a canopy. I just really don’t mind the look of it - hanging lights. In the wall seems best, but then you don’t get that side shot and/3D kinda view. I would hang lights, before arms. Mainly for cost and 2 for looks. I kinda dig it…dude, you HAVE to flaunt some tech/experience right? Canopy doesn’t show any of that. It needs to be impressive right? LOOK HOW COOL THIS IS, ALSO I HAVE DORY AND NEMO.

If I seriously cared about keeping up with the joneses, lol. I care about watching tv without being blinded, lol.

I run t5's, no one cares about seeing all that nonsense. Even if I had a few g's of hydras or radions, I'll still run a canopy.

 

[Dave-T]

I really liked open top but I had alot of light spill and the tank shares the living room with my home theater.

Nice! Would you mind posting a picture of how the canopy doors open?

 

[billyocean]

Old pic right after install. Used 1 inch threaded pipe/flange

 

[Seymo44]

My vote is canopy! Mostly because I have a canopy on my most recent build lol. I like hiding my lights and not having to worry that my cat will decide to go fishing at 3:42 am.

 

[ReefGeezer]

I use a canopy because when I'm sitting on the couch, my eye level is below the lights. I don't like staring up into them. The canopy is open top & back though to allow air and heat exchange. My wife had a cow when I took a saw to the top of our brand new canopy!