Building my own canopy

[Silly me]

It seems like most people that want to setup a planted tank doesn’t have enough space in the standard canopy to add the right amount of lights.

I have made lots of canopy and would like to show everyone, how simple and cheap it could be. I'm still busy making the stand and canopy, so it might take some time but keep a look out, as I will be updating as I go along.



Firstly this is what I have, a crappie canopy no space and UNGLY..

 

[Silly me]

a second picture from the front, I want to remove the fish tank from the bottom as it were I want to put my sump for the top tank. It will be hidden when I'm done.

 

[Silly me]

You'll need some wood, any that you like would be good. I choose 4mm ply, its light, cheap and I will cover it with a oak finish so it will look expensive when done.

 

[Ben]

nice tanks! any fish pics and well this is the only place u can or should post pics

 

[Silly me]

the only tools you'll need is, a hammer, wood glue some small nails, and I will be using white pool fiberglass resin to seal inside of the canopy and since its white it will serve as a white reflector as well

 

[Silly me]

The light I will be installing, for those of you that doesn’t know I always overdo my lights, the 10 gallon will have 60watts .. 6wpg and the 29gallon will have 160watts what just over 5wpg
I know it sound like a lot but wait till you see my tank before comments. pls

 

[Silly me]

This how the 10g's canopy looks at the moment, just nail and glued together to form a box shape

 

[Silly me]

sixThis is the inside, the open side is where the HOB filter will hang. before I seal the wood with the resin I am first going to add a shoulder for the canopy stand on

 

[Silly me]

This option took the longest, waiting for the resin to dry

I also nailed the shoulder in

 

[Silly me]

now a little sanding and the white layer of resin the inside of the canopy will be sealed

 

[silver]

Cool..........more.....more.......MORE!!!!!!!!!!

 

[konrad05]

Don't know if it's too late but, how are you going to fish your fish? Take the whole thing off? It's still not to late to put some hinges on it if you cut it in half. HTH and good luck!

 

[Silly me]

Currently here is the bottom view, its got 1 layer of white fider glass resin and 2 layers of clear resin ontop

 

[Silly me]

nice shiny outside, 2 coats on clear vanish

 

[Silly me]

the length of the light I am useing.

it will have three in total over a ten gallon, to get 60 watts.