DIY Canopy

[turanevins]

I dont have a canopy for my tank and was looking to upgrade my lighting from t5 to led, but I cant hang the lights because of my ceiling in my livingroom. I want to build a canopy--->Need Ideas! 48x19x22

 

[sawdonkey]

I'm really happy with my flip-up front canopy. Easy to get work done and I never have to remove it. Gas Pistons hold it up while I'm working.

 

[turanevins]

did you build this yourself? and how?

 

[sawdonkey]

No, I had a woodworker do it, but the design is simple. Mine is a little fancy because I wanted reliefs built in that line up with my cabinet. I could have done it myself if I were doing it with less detail. It's also made of walnut plywood and trimmed with hard wood, and I'm not capable of doing that.

All of the weight rests on the sides. There is a small piece of wood running across the back to stabilize it. The key is to get the right hinges so the front flips up and closes properly.

Hers a pic of the whole thing in context and a pic of the hinges.

 

[redfishbluefish]

I have something similar, but very plain and simple......inexpensive fir strips and 1/4 inch plywood. Here it is open:

And closed:

 

[turanevins]

just plywood and hinges? how much did it cost you?

 

[redfishbluefish]

just plywood and hinges? how much did it cost you?

Not much....most stuff I had from other projects and the temporary canopy I had over the tank. But if I were to guess for all materials, around 30 to 40 dollars.


Here's a short explanation about the build:


Instead of using 2 x 2’s, which are commonly used in canopies, I made “L” brackets out of inexpensive fir stripping. The primary reason is strength over five foot, but also for overall weight….these are lighter:

This “L” bracket is more stable than a five foot 2 x 2. I’ll use these on the two top braces of the canopy, while the lower pieces are just straight fir strips (trimmed).


With these “L” brackets installed, here is the carcass of the canopy….using the end pieces from the original temporary canopy.

On the front lower frame member I attached a strip of 1/16 acrylic, jutting down a half inch. This will hit the front glass of the tank and keep the canopy from sliding back.

Primed the box with Kilz….here it is upside down without the door.....note, tbe hole fits a Walmart desk fan:

And here’s the door with the hinges set:

Note that pine strips were used on the top and bottom of the canopy to "frame" it out, with corner molding used on each corner. With the door, this corner molding was glued and nailed to the front door only so that it easily slid past the side of the canopy when it was opened and closed.


I hope I explained this enought to at least give you some ideas.

 

[turanevins]

Awesome Thank you So much for the detail!!!

 

[turanevins]

I feel alot more confident on making my own!

 

[heathd.hd]

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/showthread.php?t=167992

Maybe stroll through this thread for inspiration!