Diy canopy for 75 gallon

[stokedsurfer]

Was wondering if anyone had a how to in making a canopy for a 75 gallon tank, trying to make one so that i can insert my light fixture in it and to make it look nicer with doors on the front for access...please if anyone has pictures for reference id appreciate it.

[Patrick Cox]

tagging along

[redfishblewfish]

Here’s the abridged version of my canopy build for a five foot 90 gallon tank. I was looking for a simple design that allowed full access to the tank that wouldn’t cost a lot. No fancy molding, just simple…and painted black. Materials were inexpensive fir stripping and ¼ inch exterior plywood.


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:


http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp271/psh54/CanopyBrace.jpg




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.


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


http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp271/psh54/CanopyCarcass.jpg





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.


http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp271/psh54/Tale%20of%20the%20Tank/CanopyFrontEdge.jpg






Primed the box with Kilz….here it is upside down without the door:


http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp271/psh54/Tale%20of%20the%20Tank/CanopyPrimed.jpg




And here’s the door with the hinges set:


http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp271/psh54/Tale%20of%20the%20Tank/CanopyDoor.jpg





And finally, here’s the canopy on the tank with the lights installed, and the door open:


http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp271/psh54/Tale%20of%20the%20Tank/CanopyOpen.jpg




And the door closed:


http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp271/psh54/Tale%20of%20the%20Tank/CanopyDoorClosed.jpg

[jackde]

Here is canopy for a 75 I'm working on.

http://i1069.photobucket.com/albums/u464/johndemitruk/stand%20build/canopy1001.jpg

http://i1069.photobucket.com/albums/u464/johndemitruk/stand%20build/canopy1002.jpg

http://i1069.photobucket.com/albums/u464/johndemitruk/stand%20build/canopy2.jpg

Stand can be seen here. http://s1069.photobucket.com/albums/u464/johndemitruk/stand%20build/

[no694terry]

look aroung for a construction material recycle store. theres one here in pittsburgh and you can find huge old base fancy cut board real cheap cause theres always just a couple peices of each. i just flip it upside down put a lid on it and walla

[JhBb12711]

Jackd I love the stand and canopy do you happen to have the measurements thanks

[JhBb12711]

Jackde I love the stand and canopy do you happen to have the measurements thanks

[Idoc]

[QUOTE=redfishblewfish;21104616]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"


I like that "L" idea!

[Idoc]

[QUOTE=jackde;21104701]Here is canopy for a 75 I'm working on.

Nice stand! I'm in the process of getting ready to build one as well for a 75g! Like the pics!

[Daddyrawg]

here’s the abridged version of my canopy build for a five foot 90 gallon tank. I was looking for a simple design that allowed full access to the tank that wouldn’t cost a lot. No fancy molding, just simple…and painted black. Materials were inexpensive fir stripping and ¼ inch exterior plywood.


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:


http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp271/psh54/canopybrace.jpg




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.


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


http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp271/psh54/canopycarcass.jpg





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.


http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp271/psh54/tale%20of%20the%20tank/canopyfrontedge.jpg






primed the box with kilz….here it is upside down without the door:


http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp271/psh54/tale%20of%20the%20tank/canopyprimed.jpg




and here’s the door with the hinges set:


http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp271/psh54/tale%20of%20the%20tank/canopydoor.jpg





and finally, here’s the canopy on the tank with the lights installed, and the door open:


http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp271/psh54/tale%20of%20the%20tank/canopyopen.jpg




and the door closed:


http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp271/psh54/tale%20of%20the%20tank/canopydoorclosed.jpg

how tall is your canopy?

[redfishblewfish]

Canopy height is 17 3/4 inches.

[jd371]

I went with the KISS method and just mad a box out of 1 x 10's with 1 x 3's for the molding. To support the Aquatic Life fixture inside I nailed two 1 x 2's along the bottom edge for the fixture to rest on. Installed a power strip inside to keep all the wires associated with the lighting enclosed and the only wire hanging off the back now is the single cord for the power strip. Hung it from the ceiling joist and done floating canopy!

https://i.imgur.com/nIlYV7wl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/XwYkc3vl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/H89uLtUl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/meuIcJwl.jpg

[gary504504]

I have a floating style canopy built locally that has t5 retro and room for two led units i used ghl mitras but it can be used with radions,hydras etc,great wire management and its 4 ft long by 22 wide i believe and about 4 to 5 inches deep, it was over a redsea 350 then i upgraded and its in the closet,sell it dirt cheap if your willing to pay to ship it,ill almost give it away, 48 inch t5 retros are mounted in it and work, bulbs are like new ati bulbs but i removed the leds to use on another system, i even have the hanging wires and the extra unopened wires i didn't use so you can hang it from the ceiling, if interested

[gary504504]

Kinda like jd371 canopy above but a lower profile,its black,but im sure it can be refinished in any stain you like