need ideas for a T5-based canopy

Thanks! No splash shield for me, I do use the "waterproof" endcaps and have never had an issue.

As for the hooks, no, unfortunately I did not hit studs up there. I used drywall anchors that are rated for 35lbs each, supposedly. (I don't think I would test that.) My fixture, though I never actually weighed it, comes in at less then 20lbs I am sure, so with the load divided over the 4 hooks, I am pretty safe.

 

Thanks Poseidon. I'm definitely sold on the sun lift idea. K+ to you and Dr Fragenstein for those fine setups!

Anybody else? I figured there'd be a whole mess of DIY canopies out there to steal ideas from!;D

 

i just finished this 6 bulb fixture a few weeks ago. ballasts and 1.5" fan , wires were gutted from nova extreme fixtures. ordered aquactinics reflectors & standoffs, and ice cap waterproof ends, and 4" coralvue temp sensor fan.<love it!!
i also use a acrylic shield, for my own reasons,1) easier to clean than reflectors and bulbs,2) allows air from the fans too be forced in to the fixture making it cool too the touch all day!!! this means cooler bulbs.!

please be kind i did not have as fancy tools as poseidon had(more like none)
poseidon & dr. franks setups is were i originally got the idea from it came out like a mixture of both. lol thank you very much guys.!!!





if you notice in this pic 2 bulbs are not under aquactinic reflectors. this is because only 5 bulbs with aquactincis would fit my tank. so i needed to use the smaller nova slr's to get 6 bulbs in.








all the ballasts/and wiring are under the reflectors.


poseidon you need to start selling them things. amazing looking.

 

Thanks BluePhish, it took me WAY to long to build that. If I had a break that I could use full time, it would have been much easier, but doing the endcaps by hand took a couple of hours for EACH! (My wife was getting mad at all the pounding!)

 

My fixture was a lot more crude... I think it consisted of me and my dad picking up some 1"x3"s some spar varnish, me telling him sixteen times my idea for the frame, having a few beers and finally nailing the frame together. The stand offs and that came later when the varnish was dry. The only time consuming aspect was the wiring, and that was because all the jumper wires....

I really didn't go for looks as I knew the retro would be hidden. I do marvel at some of the fixtures people make though....

I know someone else who made a retro similar to posdeidons....time consuming and more $$ than mine but a heck of alot nicer to look at!!

Retros can be as simple or as complex as you want them....thats why they are fun!

Happy lighting!

 

lol i used a hand saw to cut the wood. and no power drill. lol and a razor for the acrylic. cutting the wood took for ever dr. frank i used the drinking to ease the arm ache's from sawing

electrical work was easy part for me cause i do electrical side jobs almost every week end.

takes a lil time but its something that anyone could do.


also a good idea for anyone else who wants to gut a fixture, cause u need to splice at some point. get some liquid electrical tape. i used it to fill in all my wire nutz, as well as seal the hole were the wires come out the back. so my wiring should be very moisture proof.


poseidon you be getting a pm from me soon i got to ask you some questions about your acros and tank in general.

dixie dog u start the project yet.?

 

Nope, I'm still in the early planning stage. I want to make something fully enclosed so fish can't jump, and I want to encorporate some LED's for shimmer effect. But I'd like to use those sunlifts so it can just be lifted right up when necessary, instead of the usual piano hinge setup. I'm a big fan of accessiblity.

Anybody see anything wrong with this idea, fundamentally?

Any obstacles I should be aware of?

What about condensation/mildew inside the canopy? Will good strong fans prevent it?

 

What about condensation/mildew inside the canopy? Will good strong fans prevent it?

Thats why I coated it with marine spar varnish, the stuff for boats and things...

 

I am having my canopy built for me so I can't help with specifics but it is going to be similar to this one as far as access/construction goes.

From what I've read/heard completely sealing a canopy, even with a couple fans can sometimes wear on/warp the wood over a period of years. There is a LOT of heat/humidity up there. Mine is being built with a mostly open back with 1/4" mesh over it to prevent jumping and a couple fan holes / fans in the top of the canopy to pull air in the back and exhaust it out of the top. I may even add a fan or two inside the canopy to keep more air circulating within it.

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