My New Light and Canopy Build

[method0075]

Greetings Everyone,

I recently upgraded the lighting on my 55 gal FOWLR. I was previously running 4 flourescents 2 x 10k and 2 actinics.
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx13/edsmith0075/IMG00025.jpg
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx13/edsmith0075/IMG00026.jpg
This was a custom build and canopy, because I wanted the tank to be seen from all sides I needed the skimmer to be able to be in the tank ( hidden by thick cheatomorph around it ).

I`m going to be moving and my new setup will have the aquarium against the wall. Allowing me to add a sump and upgrade the lighting and filtration.

So here is the old canopy, This held all the wires, timers, plugs, lighting, etc. etc.
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx13/edsmith0075/IMG00023.jpg
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx13/edsmith0075/IMG00024.jpg
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx13/edsmith0075/IMG00027.jpg

[method0075]

So I was going to start fresh but decided to use the old canopy frame and retrofit my new lighting to it. Here is the canopy gutted with old lighting pieces.
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx13/edsmith0075/IMG00046.jpg
I cut the old canopy down to a total height of 8 3/4". Previous height was a little over 12" Here is the canopy gutted before cutting.
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx13/edsmith0075/IMG00045.jpg
Next I disassembled the old canopy and cut each side down by 4 1/4 "
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx13/edsmith0075/IMG00050.jpg
/IMG00056.jpg[/IMG]

[method0075]

Next I traced out what is going to be the back. I needed slots to allow for the pre-skimmer and any other accesories that will HOB.
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx13/edsmith0075/IMG00051.jpg
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx13/edsmith0075/IMG00052.jpg
After the peices were traced out I used a powered miter (sp) saw to cut the traced peices out. I also used a drill to drill out holes on the corners of these cuts to allow the miter saw to be used on the long cut in the middle. Here is the cut piece and canopy unassembled.
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx13/edsmith0075/IMG00053.jpg
Assembled
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx13/edsmith0075/IMG00054.jpg
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx13/edsmith0075/IMG00055.jpg
Test Fitted
[IMG]http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx13/edsmith0075

[method0075]

Test Fitted
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx13/edsmith0075/IMG00056.jpg
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx13/edsmith0075/IMG00057.jpg
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx13/edsmith0075/IMG00058.jpg

[method0075]

Now for the new light
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx13/edsmith0075/IMG00028.jpg
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx13/edsmith0075/IMG00034.jpg
I cut the pieces and fitted them to frame around the light.
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx13/edsmith0075/IMG00030.jpg
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx13/edsmith0075/IMG00029.jpg
Assembled
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx13/edsmith0075/IMG00033.jpg
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx13/edsmith0075/IMG00035.jpg

[method0075]

Next I added support bars
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx13/edsmith0075/IMG00036.jpg
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx13/edsmith0075/IMG00037.jpg
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx13/edsmith0075/IMG00038.jpg
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx13/edsmith0075/IMG00039.jpg

[method0075]

Now that the light is secure in it`s own frame time for the crown moulding. I`ve never done crown moulding so this was a learning experience to say the least.
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx13/edsmith0075/IMG00043.jpg
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx13/edsmith0075/IMG00044.jpg
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx13/edsmith0075/IMG00042.jpg
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx13/edsmith0075/IMG00040.jpg
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx13/edsmith0075/IMG00041.jpg

[method0075]

With the crown moulding in place it`s time to line up the two pieces and attach a hinge...
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx13/edsmith0075/IMG00060.jpg
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx13/edsmith0075/IMG00061.jpg
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx13/edsmith0075/IMG00063.jpg
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx13/edsmith0075/IMG00064.jpg
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx13/edsmith0075/IMG00065.jpg

I used heavy duty door hinges for this application

[method0075]

Assembled canopy lights off
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx13/edsmith0075/IMG00066.jpg
Actinics on
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx13/edsmith0075/IMG00067.jpg
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx13/edsmith0075/IMG00068.jpg
With actinics and MH on
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx13/edsmith0075/IMG00070.jpg
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx13/edsmith0075/IMG00074.jpg
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx13/edsmith0075/IMG00071.jpg

[method0075]

I wanted to post pics of the old setup before the flourescents. I use to use stip lighting 4 pendant lights. They look great but don`t provide the lighting specturm required to grow soft or hard corals IMO.
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx13/edsmith0075/m_c6c1d556565f852b8c8c9e76dfea5d17.jpg
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx13/edsmith0075/m_16fae13ba824406e8f0c2d9ae98f81b0.jpg
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx13/edsmith0075/m_62aa4f035c25e89abf2170d5e5cec2aa.jpg
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx13/edsmith0075/m_86f9c21a7901895164599af3fe452f0c.jpg
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx13/edsmith0075/m_928946ac98a05bbaa86c792c526f1011.jpg
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx13/edsmith0075/m_fc4d1fb8236337139d4c0ae16a57caca.jpg

[method0075]

I will post a list of supplies and measurements if anyone else wants to do the same build. I think the supplies cost me about 100 bucks from HD and the light canopy was 350 bucks off ebay.

I now have a very nice looking canopy with great lighting for under 500 bucks.

Sorry about the pics. photo bucket has made the images larger and this has made the crappy picture look even worse. I had to use my Blackberry to take the pics, so before I get flamed for the quality all I have is a camera phone.

[RumLad]

Try drinking LESS coffee and or Red Bull before taking pic's next time :lol:

Other than that, congrat's on a nice upgrade. :thumbsup:

[freeswimmingfis]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15471263#post15471263 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RumLad
Try drinking LESS coffee and or Red Bull before taking pic's next time :lol:

Other than that, congrat's on a nice upgrade. :thumbsup:

Heh... Holy motion blur Batman....

Nice job on the canopy...

[freeswimmingfis]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15471263#post15471263 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RumLad
Try drinking LESS coffee and or Red Bull before taking pic's next time :lol:

Other than that, congrat's on a nice upgrade. :thumbsup:

Heh... Holy motion blur Batman....

Nice job on the canopy...

[HighlandReef]

just check to make sure you didnt block any breather holes for the fixture? my 72" combo has breather/vent's on the ends of the fixture for air movement

[method0075]

Thanks for the feedback, You are right, it was a pot of coffee and no food yet that day so you can chalk it up to hyperglycimia.

I actually never installed a vent. The 2 rear opening really allow for proper ventelation. I went back to HD and then Lowes, Lowes had better stuff and cheaper but that`s just my area. If anyone wants measurements on this feel free to PM me and I can measure my pieces out.