Canopy vs No Canopy

[Idoc]

So many awesome photos or aquariums! I have noticed it is really mixed whether people choose to build a canopy for their aquarium or whether they choose to go without and find another creative idea to hang their lights! Let's hear some reasons on why you chose your option! Let's see some pics...I'm looking for ideas as well for an upcoming build!

[xanthurum]

My opinion on a canopy is based on tank style. Rimless tanks are a big NO for a canopy, why go rimless if your gonna put on a canopy. Tanks with trim tend to look good either way but they are the only tank I would do a canopy on. A canopy will help you get the most out of your lights since almost no light can escape. They also can trap heat depending on the lights. Moisture issues can be a concern and accessibility is also something to think about. Here is a pic of my setup. http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161216/7340f32ab101b69ee424408b5c2b9e29.jpg


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[Hentz]

I love both Canopy and No Canopy. No preference.

However, most of my lights were always hung. I've had a Canopy twice only to block out light since the tank has always been in my room. Let's me enjoy the tank from my bed without getting blinded.
Also for taking pictures, I've noticed I get much better quality pictures by having a Canopy. Reason being, it blocks the light spill and allows the cameras to usually pick up better inside the tank.

One thing I have noticed with a Canopy, it makes your tank look so much bigger. My 56 Gallon seemed big as it was. After the Canopy it seemed even bigger. I remove it often to clean the water and you can see how small the tank really is.

Another benefit of having one is it hides all the wiring and what not for lighting. Gives an overall more full look, I guess you can say.

Though my next tank I'll be getting next week (downgrade) will be rimless and running an LED. So it'll be canopyless. I love the look of the rimless tanks. Gives them a contemporary sexy look.

Either way, you can't go wrong.

Here is my current tank (filled with water and my fish right now.)
http://i1350.photobucket.com/albums/p764/HentzReef/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_9997_zpsr1f8mj5l.jpg (http://s1350.photobucket.com/user/HentzReef/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_9997_zpsr1f8mj5l.jpg.html)

Here was my old Fusion 40. Rimless, contemporary, sexy!
http://i1350.photobucket.com/albums/p764/HentzReef/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsc7rm1mpi.jpg (http://s1350.photobucket.com/user/HentzReef/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsc7rm1mpi.jpg.html)

And here was where my SPS addiction began. Previously ran the Reefbreeders with no Canopy but the light spill bugged me in my bed. So I built a very simple and light Canopy.
http://i1350.photobucket.com/albums/p764/HentzReef/image_zps0ab62769.jpg (http://s1350.photobucket.com/user/HentzReef/media/image_zps0ab62769.jpg.html)

And here it is without a Canopy.
http://i1350.photobucket.com/albums/p764/HentzReef/image_zpsdea80d04.jpg (http://s1350.photobucket.com/user/HentzReef/media/image_zpsdea80d04.jpg.html)

[whiteshark]

I've done several setups from wall mounted lights to ceiling mounted lights to lights hung off of supports on the stand to canopies. I agree with the above that a rimless tank should never have a hood. But sometimes you need a hood. My latest build, currently in progress, was done with a couple bengal cats in mind. The tank had to be covered:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/1024x768q90/924/Wk9pzj.jpg

I generally very much dislike hoods, but had no choice in this instance. I still wanted full and easy access to the lights, so I built the hood with a frame that holds detachable panels. I can remove all of the panels to have full access to the lighting and to reach into the tank. I can also take the top off of the frame to replace or repair the lighting if need be. Here is what it looks like with the panels off:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/1024x768q90/924/m7fGlc.jpg

They are held in place by magnets and extremely easy to remove and to put back on.

[SalinFL]

My thoughts on a canopy... If you're going to box in your aquarium for no good reason (Bengal cats are an excellent reason), buy a flat screen tv and run a dvd of a reef tank. It will cost you a lot less, doesn't require test kits or water changes and it never has to be cleaned.

[Sonyardo]

I think all the light from the uncovered tanks takes away from the livestock in the tank. A tank with a canopy tends to focus the attention away from the light and more onto the livestock. My vote is for Canopy or a suspended Canopy for that reason only.

[thegrun]

I've had a few of both through the years and for me I will go with canopies for any main display tanks I have from now on. I find the light shining in my eyes from exposed light fixtures takes away from the beauty of the tank, particularly in the evening and the light bleeding into the room is not appealing to me. Canopies can make maintenance more difficult and you need to carefully plan for ventilation if your canopy has an enclosed lid.
Here is my current 120 with canopy:
http://i654.photobucket.com/albums/uu262/greenirons/120%20Gallon/IMG_0233_zpsv0rjj4i4.jpg (http://s654.photobucket.com/user/greenirons/media/120%20Gallon/IMG_0233_zpsv0rjj4i4.jpg.html)

[Mr. Brooks]

Maintenance can be a lot harder with a canopy. I run a floating canopy and I love it. There's ways to get around the light spill issue.

[cheezybuda]

Maintenance can be a lot harder with a canopy. I run a floating canopy and I love it. There's ways to get around the light spill issue.
Do you have any moisture issues in your floating canopy? I am looking into one but wasn't sure if it is much of a concern.

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[lobstergrabber]

I run a floating canopy as well and love it. It keeps the light from spilling out to other rooms yet hides the actually lighting and wiring, leaving my rimless with a clean look. No issues with moisture because anything that evaporates goes into the house vs being contained within the hood. Also don't have to worry about any heat buildup due to leaving the top open so air flow in the house takes care of minimal heat put out by t5 and led.

Richardhttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161216/0f45d0257ab97db1c378479827f63078.jpg


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[Ron Reefman]

I've had both. For a log time I had this 180r with a very different style of canopy and I liked it OK.

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


About 4 months ago the tank broke and my new system uses leds with legs and I have to admit, I like the cleaner more modern look a lot better. But then I'm in SW Florida and big heavy wood furniture isn't nearly as popular here as in other parts of the country.

http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp37/RonReefman/20161018_170631_zpsfaas63gv.jpg (http://s395.photobucket.com/user/RonReefman/media/20161018_170631_zpsfaas63gv.jpg.html)

[DBR_reef]

I would go canopy all the way- if you want the rimless look then go floating. Light leakage detracts from the brightness of the tank, setting the light as the focal point. Kessils or deep metal halides I would consider without a canopy, as they are a recessed light, but something like a radion or t5 is just blinding


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[kamikaze483]

I've had both. For a log time I had this 180r with a very different style of canopy and I liked it OK.

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


About 4 months ago the tank broke and my new system uses leds with legs and I have to admit, I like the cleaner more modern look a lot better. But then I'm in SW Florida and big heavy wood furniture isn't nearly as popular here as in other parts of the country.

http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp37/RonReefman/20161018_170631_zpsfaas63gv.jpg (http://s395.photobucket.com/user/RonReefman/media/20161018_170631_zpsfaas63gv.jpg.html)

Aside from the aesthetics (my tanks do not have canopies), I have had some issues functionally that would have been avoided with the canopy.

We feel like some toxin got into the tank- maybe air freshener or something (who knows) that our cleaning lady might have used. All the sudden everything was dead in a week.

I have the largest RSM tank and there is a lot of surface area, ie square footage of exposure to toxins from the air.

Not that I would change. And we never spray anything in our house and have since asked our cleaning lady to be more careful.

[davocean]

I love the look of rimless w/out canopy, especially if your home decor is modern and matches that style, but for me light spill is an issue, especially since my tank is in close proximity, so I chose to go w/ a canopy.

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/mermail/octocabfinished006.jpg (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/mermail/media/octocabfinished006.jpg.html)

[Mr. Brooks]

Do you have any moisture issues in your floating canopy? I am looking into one but wasn't sure if it is much of a concern.

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No issue whatsoever.

[whiteshark]

No issue whatsoever.

I had a floating canopy over my last tank and I loved it. It's really an ideal solution if you want extreme customization of lighting ability with an open top tank.

[Lsufan]

I also like them both ways. I always have had rimmed tanks so I have always had a canopy. I have seen some awesome rimless & canopyless tanks also. If I get a rimless tank I may try without a canopy but I would always have a canopy on a rimmed tank.
Here is a pic of my 150 when I first set it up. I was still working on the scaping http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h79/jkspears/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/2A1FE4A6-D53B-4B5C-95B3-5B2D76883F37_zpsxybwrha0.jpg