Canopy advice!!!!!

[baktabiznis]

Any1 have any experience building a canopy to house black box led's (2) and t5's(2) ?. I'm trying to design a canopy for my 48x24x16 system. I need to suspend the canopy but I can't hang it on the wall or from the ceiling. Not sure what I could you that's sturdy enough to keep the canopy from bending/leaning over. Any advice would be great.

[Ron Reefman]

Why do you need to suspend the canopy? Why not just let it sit on the rim of the tank?

I have 2 IT2080 fixtures (32" each) hanging in my canopy and plenty of room to work in the tank as well.

I really didn't like any of the standard canopies that come with stands, so I made my own. It's different, but then I like different. Frame is made with 2" x 2" solid pvc 'sticks' and a sheet of plywood on top. I made it rigid over a 6' length by using an aluminum 2" x 2" screen porch enclosure stick along the top/back side of the canopy. I lined the 3 exposed sides with a watery patterned blue material hung by simple curtain rods.

I like the look during the day, and at night, when the lights are still on the light up the canopy from inside and I think it looks very cool. This photo was taken when I had 4 250w MH and 4 39w t5 bulbs over the tank. The camera really exaggerates the bright spotting toward the bottom of the cloth. And now that I use leds, it's even better with the blue leds on in the early morning and the evening.

http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp37/RonReefman/P6060062_zpsbcfcac6d.jpg (http://s395.photobucket.com/user/RonReefman/media/P6060062_zpsbcfcac6d.jpg.html)

[braaap]

Why is a canopy necessary? They only cause heat and evap issues.

[Ron Reefman]

With good leds (good heat sinks and fans) heat isn't an issue.

And how is it a problem with evaporation?

[Flippers4pups]

Check out my canopy build thread.