Hey Gang!
Here is a short post on my DIY Canopy that I mounted to a Sit-Stand Desk from Amazon. This is not really a step-by-step, it's more like a working concept for any who have been considering something like this. In this project, I was able to fit (3) Kessil A360x's and (8) 60" T5's over a standard 180 gallon (6'x2'x2'). I'll include some links for the things I bought as we go.
Here's a video of the working product:
Let's get into it!
Frame and Stand:
Fromann Sit Stand Kit: https://a.co/d/c1Jrr1n
Universal Shelf Bracket (B-Line B844W): https://www.hcisupplystore.com/3837...ut-fittings-6159/corner-angles--6164/blnb844w
For the canopy frame, I used 1/2" paint grade maple for the sides and top sections. I used three top sections to accommodate my three Kessil A360x's, and to support my T5 kits. The backbone of the canopy is a single 2x8. I used glue for everything, and a couple pocket screws. For the bracket I used the B-Line 844W's for lack of space behind my tank, but you could use an 888W if you have room.
Electronics
LET Lighting retrofit kits x4: https://www.chewy.com/let-lighting-2x80w-miro-4-t5-high/dp/263854
"Dumb" power strip, 15' cord: https://a.co/d/ffmXq5N
"Smart" power strip: https://a.co/d/3ftFnqj
My goal here was to have a single power power cord to power the unit, with everything else concealed. The first picture below is the back of the unit. The black power strip has a 15' cord and is always on. I have my Kessils plugged into that since they're wirelessly controlled anyway. Then each of the (4) T5 kits are plugged into the Kasa smart strip, allowing me to set schedules for each pair of T5's. The ballasts are mounted outside, with the fixture wires running through small holes into the canopy.
Close up of the brackets. I through-bolted them to the desk kit. Do not drill into the black area on the kit - that's where the actuator is
I had to use a flat strut coupling and get a little creative here. Something equivalent could be constructed with plywood here I'm sure, but I wanted to use a metal component to minimize flexing. These two brackets are the only point of contact for the canopy.
I also stapled in screen between the top sections to allow some airflow, while keeping the light bleed down. The "light blocking" screen from your local home improvement store is fine.
And one picture of the layout underneath. I did cut notches around the middle reflectors to allow the LED's to shine in better. One last minute add was the funnel in the far corner in the picture below. It allows me to dump in food without raising the canopy everyday. It pops out for easy cleaning.
There are three customizable presets on this kit. For me: 1 is full down, 2 is about 18" above the glass for feeding, and 3 is as high as my ceiling allows. Also for what it's worth, I am running (5) ATI Blue Plus, (2) ATI True Actinic and (1) GE 10k white.
A quick note about supporting this whole thing: Since I had no room for the massive feet from the sit-stand kit, I wanted to keep most of the weight centered straight above the legs. The top of the leg rests against the tank (separated by a silicone pad) but the side force into the tank is minimal. I was worried about this during construction since the whole fixture wants to tip "into" the tank, but since the 1/2 plywood and T5 lamps are so light, it only amounts to a couple pounds of lateral force. No issue there at all.
Overall, I'm very pleased with how this turned out. It's been about 6 months, and I love it! Any questions, feel free to ask.
Here is a short post on my DIY Canopy that I mounted to a Sit-Stand Desk from Amazon. This is not really a step-by-step, it's more like a working concept for any who have been considering something like this. In this project, I was able to fit (3) Kessil A360x's and (8) 60" T5's over a standard 180 gallon (6'x2'x2'). I'll include some links for the things I bought as we go.
Here's a video of the working product:
Let's get into it!
Frame and Stand:
Fromann Sit Stand Kit: https://a.co/d/c1Jrr1n
Universal Shelf Bracket (B-Line B844W): https://www.hcisupplystore.com/3837...ut-fittings-6159/corner-angles--6164/blnb844w
For the canopy frame, I used 1/2" paint grade maple for the sides and top sections. I used three top sections to accommodate my three Kessil A360x's, and to support my T5 kits. The backbone of the canopy is a single 2x8. I used glue for everything, and a couple pocket screws. For the bracket I used the B-Line 844W's for lack of space behind my tank, but you could use an 888W if you have room.
Electronics
LET Lighting retrofit kits x4: https://www.chewy.com/let-lighting-2x80w-miro-4-t5-high/dp/263854
"Dumb" power strip, 15' cord: https://a.co/d/ffmXq5N
"Smart" power strip: https://a.co/d/3ftFnqj
My goal here was to have a single power power cord to power the unit, with everything else concealed. The first picture below is the back of the unit. The black power strip has a 15' cord and is always on. I have my Kessils plugged into that since they're wirelessly controlled anyway. Then each of the (4) T5 kits are plugged into the Kasa smart strip, allowing me to set schedules for each pair of T5's. The ballasts are mounted outside, with the fixture wires running through small holes into the canopy.
Close up of the brackets. I through-bolted them to the desk kit. Do not drill into the black area on the kit - that's where the actuator is
I had to use a flat strut coupling and get a little creative here. Something equivalent could be constructed with plywood here I'm sure, but I wanted to use a metal component to minimize flexing. These two brackets are the only point of contact for the canopy.I also stapled in screen between the top sections to allow some airflow, while keeping the light bleed down. The "light blocking" screen from your local home improvement store is fine.
And one picture of the layout underneath. I did cut notches around the middle reflectors to allow the LED's to shine in better. One last minute add was the funnel in the far corner in the picture below. It allows me to dump in food without raising the canopy everyday. It pops out for easy cleaning.
There are three customizable presets on this kit. For me: 1 is full down, 2 is about 18" above the glass for feeding, and 3 is as high as my ceiling allows. Also for what it's worth, I am running (5) ATI Blue Plus, (2) ATI True Actinic and (1) GE 10k white.
A quick note about supporting this whole thing: Since I had no room for the massive feet from the sit-stand kit, I wanted to keep most of the weight centered straight above the legs. The top of the leg rests against the tank (separated by a silicone pad) but the side force into the tank is minimal. I was worried about this during construction since the whole fixture wants to tip "into" the tank, but since the 1/2 plywood and T5 lamps are so light, it only amounts to a couple pounds of lateral force. No issue there at all.
Overall, I'm very pleased with how this turned out. It's been about 6 months, and I love it! Any questions, feel free to ask.
