Need help designing canopy

[ssdawood]

Guys I need help to design an acrylic canopy over my tank. Tank dimensions are 72x24x36 inches

This will be fish only with some soft corals. I want to take inspiration from George Abraham's Rainbow reef.



It is a peninsula tank so instead of suspending canopy from ceiling I would like it attached to one side of wall.

The canopy will house 48in led power module in middle with one Radion on each side.

I have no idea where to start. How to build a frame, materials to use. I only know that I can buy precut acrylic sheets.

Advanced acrylics did the custom.canopy for Rainbow Reef. I sent couple emails to John but no answer. I don't mind paying if a vendor wants to do it. But if everyone is busy and not interested then I will DIY.

Any help from people who have DIY something like this will be appreciated.

 

[Supa]

I assume the frame you could make using 1x2 material or 2x2s

 

[Supa]

You may could paint it white before you put the acrylic around it to help hide the shadows behind the sheets

 

[ssdawood]

pics

 

[ssdawood]

How do you hang lights inside the frame. I want it so in future I can hang other lights .
I can make the frame. What about lights ?

 

[Supa]

I would make a separate frame to house the lights and attach that frame to the larger frame you make for the acrylic

 

[Supa]

Example …. If your light is 6x6 square you would make a wood frame that is similar in size and just route out a grove on the top of the frame to allow the light to sit inside(on top) of

 

[Supa]

Kind of how a mirror sits in a wood frame… it’s routed out so the wood will accept the glass insert… hard to explain. In my head it works, I will try to make a sketch if I can’t seem to say what I mean clearly

 

[howaboutme]

You want to cantilever your 72" canopy from a wall? I'm sorry to say that if you really, really want to do this, you will need a structural engineer design you a connection to the wall. It will likely be new steel inserted into that wall braced at the top and at the bottom. Then the canopy frame (likely to be steel) will be either bolted to or welded in a moment connection. Then you wrap that frame w/ your preferred finish material and install your lights inside it. Not easy.

 

[ssdawood]

Thanks Supa

No I understand the mirror analogy. Last question, how do I attach frame inside canopy. With more wood strips used to make frame?
Thank you

 

[ssdawood]

You want to cantilever your 72" canopy from a wall? I'm sorry to say that if you really, really want to do this, you will need a structural engineer design you a connection to the wall. It will likely be new steel inserted into that wall braced at the top and at the bottom. Then the canopy frame (likely to be steel) will be either bolted to or welded in a moment connection. Then you wrap that frame w/ your preferred finish material and install your lights inside it. Not easy.

I understand this too. Maybe if it's this hard I will hang it. Put it on winch in attic and raise up and down.

It will make maintenance easier.

 

[ssdawood]

Last question


I need similar ideas to make or get inspiration for electronics mounting, cabinet etc

Also to skin my stand.

Best place to post it. Still DIY.

Thank you Gentlemen.

 

[Supa]

Thanks Supa

No I understand the mirror analogy. Last question, how do I attach frame inside canopy. With more wood strips used to make frame?
Thank you

I would try to make a larger frame that would hold the smaller light frames I wouldnt screw the sub/frame to the large frame as you would want to change light types later or position etc id try to make the frames notched to sit together. As far as acrylic goes I imagine you could glue up everything, and or find some nice looking white head screws pre drill your holes etc.

 

[Reefer Reboot]

Have you considered using extruded aluminum (T-slot)?

 

[ssdawood]

I did get ideas and price the materials.
Then finally John from advanced acrylics contacted me.
He gave me a great price shipped that I didn't mind giving him the job.
Materials were no cheap and sheets had to be bought precut, rounded corners etc.

Canopy is 6ft long.
72x24x10
Thanks John

Next he is making me a custom control board.
Pics coming soon.
Guys I am impressed. Great price, fast turnaround. Canopy was done in 3 weeks design to order.

 

[ssdawood]

I am going to bump this thread. I need help figuring out how to hang this canopy from ceiling.
I would like yo use thin hanging wire or a regular light hanging kit.

How to I attach fasteners to canopy. Any ideas. Self tapping screws ?

Or just loop wire through red holes and call it a day. What's sturdy

Canopy is not heavy, if I have to guess 40lbs

Thanks guys.

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

I am going to bump this thread. I need help figuring out how to hang this canopy from ceiling.
I would like yo use thin hanging wire or a regular light hanging kit.

How to I attach fasteners to canopy. Any ideas. Self tapping screws ?

Or just loop wire through red holes and call it a day. What's sturdy

Canopy is not heavy, if I have to guess 40lbs

Thanks guys.

Personally, I would have it going on 3 hangars, both ends and the middle.

Eye bolt lags directly dead center of the studs above it (99% chance you won't have a joist exactly where you need it meaning opening the ceiling and installing blocked braces.

Short machine screw eye bolts on the canopy side. 2" acrylic washers on both sides of the canopy material to create a sandwich, spreading the load further.

Good call not cantilevering it from the wall. That would have been a $20k decision.

 

[ssdawood]

So screw small screws directly on 1/4 inch pvc.
2 in washer will be large
Unless I am understanding wrong

 

[ssdawood]

Ok you mean this. Now I understand.

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

So screw small screws directly on 1/4 inch pvc.
2 in washer will be large
Unless I am understanding wrong

Predrill everything. You want a large washer. At Least on the underside. So that you don't pull through the material.