need ideas for a T5-based canopy

Discussion in 'T5 Aquarium Lighting' started by dixiedog, Apr 13, 2009.

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  1. dixiedog

    dixiedog Coral Banded Shrimp

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    Gainesville, FL
    Just thinking ... Anybody built their own canopy for a six or eight lamp T5 setup?

    Wanna show it off here??;D

    I have an eight-lamp TEK, but I'm thinking of ripping the guts out of it and making a wooden canopy. I'm not crazy about the hanging TEK fixture, from a practical standpoint. Too hard to raise it up to get into the tank.
     
    dixiedog, Apr 13, 2009
    dixiedog, Apr 13, 2009
    #1

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  2. Dr.Fragenstein

    Dr.Fragenstein Panda Puffer

    Joined:
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    Location:
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    I have a 8 bulb retro over my 180...
    I think there are pics floating around somewhere here...

    Otherwise here are some old ones that don't really show much....
    Here is the frame...

    [​IMG]

    Frame again
    [​IMG]

    Lamps on actinic mode
    [​IMG]

    Standoffs and endcaps
    [​IMG]

    Hope this helps!!

    Happy reefing!
     
    Dr.Fragenstein, Apr 13, 2009
    Dr.Fragenstein, Apr 13, 2009
    #2
    1 person likes this.
  3. dixiedog

    dixiedog Coral Banded Shrimp

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    No splash shield on that unit, Dr Frag?

    Definitely a K.I.S.S. design! What do you do when you need to get in the tank - just pick it up and move it?


    LOL ... those younguns made me laugh. Mischief afoot! ;D
     
    dixiedog, Apr 13, 2009
    dixiedog, Apr 13, 2009
    #3
  4. Dr.Fragenstein

    Dr.Fragenstein Panda Puffer

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    No splash shield... I have room to get in if I need.... That is also why I didn't do 10 bulbs...


    They are mischievious, that pick is months old now, I think I took that in November..?
     
    Dr.Fragenstein, Apr 13, 2009
    Dr.Fragenstein, Apr 13, 2009
    #4
  5. sostoudt

    sostoudt Giant Squid

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    splash shield smash shield, he needs a kid shield lol

    hopefully you keep the food out of there reach so they dont try to feed nemo a whole container
     
    sostoudt, Apr 13, 2009
    sostoudt, Apr 13, 2009
    #5
  6. Poseidon

    Poseidon Astrea Snail

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    Poseidon, Apr 13, 2009
    Poseidon, Apr 13, 2009
    #6
    1 person likes this.

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  7. Poseidon

    Poseidon Astrea Snail

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    Not hard at all with a set of sunlifts. That is what I use and you can see them at the top of the last picture. Those are pulley's that allow you to raise and lower the fixture, they are tension based, so the light stays where you stop. I bought mine from DIY Reef, I think they are less then $20 a pair.
     
    Poseidon, Apr 13, 2009
    Poseidon, Apr 13, 2009
    #7
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  8. dixiedog

    dixiedog Coral Banded Shrimp

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    My tank is only 18" front to rear. I'm guessing that I'd have to go with six bulbs, in order to have an equivalent amount of room. But I doubt that would be a problem. Right?

    Poseidon, very nice! No splash shields in yours either? Have I been misinformed as to the importance of this?

    I like the concept of the sun lifts. Were you lucky enough (or perhaps you planned well enough?) to hit studs with those ceiling hooks?
     
    dixiedog, Apr 13, 2009
    dixiedog, Apr 13, 2009
    #8
  9. Infantry1327

    Infantry1327 Fire Shrimp

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    I built my canopy. But I havent installed the lights yet. They will be hear this week. But you can kind of see how the canapy rests on the tank. I never painted the inside because I am going to either polish up some aluminum, or get some mylar. Then install a couple of computer fans in the back.
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
    Infantry1327, Apr 13, 2009
    Infantry1327, Apr 13, 2009
    #9
  10. lightningfront

    lightningfront Spaghetti Worm

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    lightningfront, Apr 13, 2009
    lightningfront, Apr 13, 2009
    #10
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