90 gallon canopy

[scabbedwings616]

I am looking for plans with what materials to buy for a canopy for my tank. I want to do it myself and have the things I want for it and upgrade the lights if needed and have it custom made. Is there anyone that can point me in the right direction. I am trying to gather the plans now and see what is out there and then make it to what I want. thanks.

 

[clsanchez77]

I built a full cabinet for my tank so that part does not really help you. However, for the lighting, I built a light rack out of 8020 aluminum and mounted my HO's, LEDs and moonlights to it. This rack will slide in and out for service. I only need to disconnect the HO harness and 4 DC jacks for complete removal. I can easily move lights around, switch them out, etc if I ever so desired.

So while I can help you with the canopy per se, consider doing a separate aluminum rack for the lighting so that part is removable and always customizable without having to redo the canopy.

 

[Idoc]

I built a full cabinet for my tank so that part does not really help you. However, for the lighting, I built a light rack out of 8020 aluminum and mounted my HO's, LEDs and moonlights to it. This rack will slide in and out for service. I only need to disconnect the HO harness and 4 DC jacks for complete removal. I can easily move lights around, switch them out, etc if I ever so desired.

So while I can help you with the canopy per se, consider doing a separate aluminum rack for the lighting so that part is removable and always customizable without having to redo the canopy.

Do you have a picture of your light rack for your lights that you can share. I'll be building one soon and would like to see some ideas!

 

[BigJohnny]

I built a full cabinet for my tank so that part does not really help you. However, for the lighting, I built a light rack out of 8020 aluminum and mounted my HO's, LEDs and moonlights to it. This rack will slide in and out for service. I only need to disconnect the HO harness and 4 DC jacks for complete removal. I can easily move lights around, switch them out, etc if I ever so desired.

So while I can help you with the canopy per se, consider doing a separate aluminum rack for the lighting so that part is removable and always customizable without having to redo the canopy.

Agreed, I just bought a hollow aluminum bar from home Depot and my ati hangs from that. I can pull it in and out of the canopy. Two kessils mounted on sides

 

[BigJohnny]

Here's my 90g canopy. 3/4" birch ply box with stainless steel piano style hinge (I got it on amazon, much stronger than home Depot or Lowes versions). It's hinged almost halfway so that I can easily get all the way in the tank. There is a 2x2 lip that sits on the tank so the edges of the canopy hang down and cover the trim. The front lip is a 1x4 instead of 2x2 so that I have a nice flat accessible surface. The ati bar rests on 2x2 lips above the fans. Vent hole up top with one intake fan on either side bringing cooler air in.

 

[Steadyreef42]

Here's my 90g canopy. 3/4" birch ply box with stainless steel piano style hinge (I got it on amazon, much stronger than home Depot or Lowes versions). It's hinged almost halfway so that I can easily get all the way in the tank. There is a 2x2 lip that sits on the tank so the edges of the canopy hang down and cover the trim. The front lip is a 1x4 instead of 2x2 so that I have a nice flat accessible surface. The ati bar rests on 2x2 lips above the fans. Vent hole up top with one intake fan on either side bringing cooler air in.

That looks awesome

 

[Rufus’ goofs]

Do you want the lights mounted in the canopy or independently of it?

I'm doing a stand right now, I took 2 pieces of 3/4 conduit and ran them up the back and over the tank to hold the lights. then I mounted 2 tight grain DF 2x4's to the back edge wise on the outsides of the conduit. the canopy slides directly up and down without interfering with the lights. I made it out of 1x2 and 1/4' birch to reduce weight.

 

[Rufus’ goofs]

Here's my 90g canopy. 3/4" birch ply box with stainless steel piano style hinge (I got it on amazon, much stronger than home Depot or Lowes versions). It's hinged almost halfway so that I can easily get all the way in the tank. There is a 2x2 lip that sits on the tank so the edges of the canopy hang down and cover the trim. The front lip is a 1x4 instead of 2x2 so that I have a nice flat accessible surface. The ati bar rests on 2x2 lips above the fans. Vent hole up top with one intake fan on either side bringing cooler air in.

Very well done!

 

[scabbedwings616]

I like the cabinet. I have a current USA 6 bulb right now and will be upgrading to an ati fixture soon. I am looking for actual plans with measurements and an idea on how to build it. Almost like a material list. I like your design and want to have the ability to add lights or add whatever info the top of the tank. Height doesn't matter. Right now it's kinda an eye sore and I want that to change.

 

[Rufus’ goofs]

I like the cabinet. I have a current USA 6 bulb right now and will be upgrading to an ati fixture soon. I am looking for actual plans with measurements and an idea on how to build it. Almost like a material list. I like your design and want to have the ability to add lights or add whatever info the top of the tank. Height doesn't matter. Right now it's kinda an eye sore and I want that to change.

If hanging your lights is an option and you want it to be easily changeable, I would mount the lights indecently of the canopy and make the canopy fit over the lights.

I was running into similar issues.
I wanted to make everything easy to disassemble as well as upgrade.

This was my solution.

Can't really give you dimensions, there are too many different factors between our set ups. But it's 3/4 conduit for hanging lights.

Canopy slides up and down the 2x4's mounted on the back.

Canopy is a 1x2 frame wrapped in 1/4 birch ply.

Hope this helps.

 

[BigJohnny]

I like the cabinet. I have a current USA 6 bulb right now and will be upgrading to an ati fixture soon. I am looking for actual plans with measurements and an idea on how to build it. Almost like a material list. I like your design and want to have the ability to add lights or add whatever info the top of the tank. Height doesn't matter. Right now it's kinda an eye sore and I want that to change.

I have sketch up plans, materials, and cut list for my canopy saved on my computer if interested. I do recommend measuring the top trim of your 90g first though because you may need to make minor adjustments as they do vary slightly from brand to brand and even within a brand sometimes. I also took pictures along the way as I built it. Just lmk

I also have the same info and plans for my electronics/equipment cabinet/ato container holder that I built next to my stand.

 

[clsanchez77]

Do you have a picture of your light rack for your lights that you can share. I'll be building one soon and would like to see some ideas!

Light Frame by Christopher Sanchez, on Flickr

Light Frame by Christopher Sanchez, on Flickr

The only difference is once my build was complete, I swapped the HOs to the bottom of the rack. I originally mounted them on the top to protect them.

 

[Idoc]

Light Frame by Christopher Sanchez, on Flickr

Light Frame by Christopher Sanchez, on Flickr

The only difference is once my build was complete, I swapped the HOs to the bottom of the rack. I originally mounted them on the top to protect them.

I really like how you did that. I can't see how you have them attached inside the canopy to where you can just slide them out, though.

 

[clsanchez77]

I really like how you did that. I can't see how you have them attached inside the canopy to where you can just slide them out, though.

I constructed the cabinet out of wood and there is a 1.5" slot 3/4" wide on each side of the canopy; this rack just slides in and out. There is no hardware connection. I considered installing actual slides/guides, but I wanted it to be easily removable.