DIY Canopy

[dustinc]

Hey Reefing Family,

I'm in the process of building a stand and canopy for my new 120 build. I've built many stands over the years, but never a canopy, as I've always had open top tanks, but my wife wants a canopy to match the cabinetry in our home (she's an interior designer). So, with that, I need to see as many canopy ideas as possible to know what I'm working with here. So please, post as many as you can. I'm going to build mine 24" tall and it will house 3 XR15 pros and a dual T5 unit (1 on each side of the XR15s. Thank you.

 

[Rubblereefer]

Here is what I did, mounted a closetmaid wire shelf, screwed into studs. Then built a thin plywood canopy framed with 2x2 with no back that slides over the shelf.

 

[Rubblereefer]

Here it is completed

 

[Pickwun]

My used tank came with a false canopy that I like. I call if false, because it's actually just front and end walls that fit around the outside of the tank with a ledge inside that makes it sit down about an inch from the top. A 1x4 board holds the back edges together. The back is completely open, and if I need it out of the way I can just lift it off and set it aside.
Sorry I don't have pix at the moment, but here's a bad drawing - looking from the back.
You could stick molding or cabinet doors on the faces to make it match the decor, but the more you add the heavier it gets. For a big tank I'd use lighter wood like cedar.

 

[zeroc0o0l]

I just did this - almost the same size. Some of my mistakes - might save you time

 

[zeroc0o0l]

Just build the frame and put in on the tank for size. Use decorative trim to make it look pretty

 

[zeroc0o0l]

This was a bad idea - don’t try and build something to hold the light up, it will block light. They really need to be hung, side note you can use thin aluminum and built a rack to hold / hang them.

 

[dustinc]

Thank you guys. Keep them coming. I'm actually leaning towards putting an Aquatic Life T5 hybrid fixture inside of the canopy for lighting w/ 2 Kessil A360x.

 

[Katrina71]

I'd love to see a torsion box canopy.

 

[Deezill]

This was a bad idea - don’t try and build something to hold the light up, it will block light. They really need to be hung, side note you can use thin aluminum and built a rack to hold / hang them.

What size wood did you frame with ?

 

[Mussin]

Just had a friend who built my stand and canopy for my 180 .. matches our cabinets as well. I have a 4' reefbreeder led light and I will be adding two 60" t5s from BRS retro kit.

 

[Ratherbeflyen]

A poorly made video of how I built my hood.

 

[Deezill]

I just came from the store. I purchased a Black and Decker Miters saw. I have an Aqueon 210 gallon tank. What size wood do I need to frame my canopy? I don't want it heavy on the tank but strong enough to support. Thanks.

P.S
My tank can be found in this thread:

Large Build - The Deezill Reef 210

Hello R2R, The Deezill Reef 210 gallon system seems to be finally coming to life. Back in March of 2019, I decided to upgrade from my 150 gallon xhigh simply because the tank had more height as opposed to length. The dimensions were 48x24x30. When I first got the tank i was honestly very excited...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[bill120reef]

Here's my build

180 canopy hardwood with stained glass doors.

First i built the frame using 1x2 poplar boards connected using a Kregg pocket jig, it is the built to the dimensions of the plastic trim on top of the tank x the height i wanted my lights and space to work under them. the back of the frame is divided into 3 equal spaces and the front is divided...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Deezill]

Here's my build

180 canopy hardwood with stained glass doors.

First i built the frame using 1x2 poplar boards connected using a Kregg pocket jig, it is the built to the dimensions of the plastic trim on top of the tank x the height i wanted my lights and space to work under them. the back of the frame is divided into 3 equal spaces and the front is divided...

www.reef2reef.com

The canopy looks great. I have never done any woodworking your canopy is too complicated for me as an amateur