I am getting ready to set up a new 120g tank. 4’Lx2’Wx2’T. I currently have 2 AI SOL LED fixtures, I am giong to add 2 VHO Super Actinics (for better pop and coverage). So I’ve been thinking about how best to incorporate everything and have it functional, clean, and versatile. I’m hoping to get feedback, thoughts, and opinions to make sure I’m not missing anything. The lights do need to be encased in something because if they’re not I get an ugly reflection from the bulbs on my TV.
All measurements are approximate and currently rounded for ease of explanation:
So my plans are to take a 4’ piece of lightweight plywood, and a 2’ 1"x1" to each short side (I don’t think I will need to add the 1x1 to the long sides). The 1x’s are there to provide a mounting point for the AI rail so I will still be able to easily and quickly adjust the positioning of the AI units.
I’ll add 1 46.5" VHO both front and back of the LEDs to ensure coverage over the full length of the tank.
I think I’m going to add some small vent slots to the center of the canopy where the LEDs will be hanging to allow the top mounted fans of the lights to blow out of the canopy and not trap the heat.
Add an apron of wainscoating around the front and 2 short sides of the canopy, leaving the back open for ventilation. Attach the apron with hinges to be able to easily flip the apron up to allow access to the tank for cleaning, water changes, frag placement, rearranging rock, etc.
Instead of building it to sit on top of the tank which limits the ability to work in the tank without having to take the whole assembly off, I am going to suspend it from 2 AquaticLife light hanging arms attached to the back of the stand and hanging over the top. This should provide me the ability to raise and lower the light as necessary and flip up the aprons to easily work within the tank.
You could also incorporate a hanging kit into the canopy itself. Not the best of ways to do it but can make it work.
Also on the front of the canopy make it full swing up where about 2-3" in on the front top hinges so you can just swing the whole front to the top and have enough room to work in the tank with out the front lip being in the way.
[quote=“JustSumGuy, post:2, topic:6043”]
Also on the front of the canopy make it full swing up where about 2-3" in on the front top hinges so you can just swing the whole front to the top and have enough room to work in the tank with out the front lip being in the way.[/quote]
Exactly what my thought process is. Thank you for confirming the idea doesn’t suck. Now I have to figure out how to make a tight join at the corners so I don’t have weird light lines creeping out. Can’t puddy them as they need to swing open seperate from each other.
You will want to brace all the corners from inside the canopy. Like little triangles you could cut out with what ever wood you will end up using. That way the braces will blend with everything when its open. For the wires the Ai fixtures use a pretty thin wire and not a big plug so you wont need a big hole in the back but you could put the hole behind the corner brackets so the exit won’t be so visible.
Why brace the corners? It’s not really carrying a load and without a true frame I can’t see where the braces would attach. The wires I’m not worried too much about. I’m not putting a back on the canopy so the wires can go wherever they fall and with the front in the down position it’ll cover the distance between the plywood top and the top of the tank.
For the way I was thinking of the build. Depending what would you use and if you seal it would make a difference. You would want to make sure the top would be able to handle the weight of the front going up. so basically on the fron you would only see the 2 sides cause the whole front panel would lift up along with a couple or so inches on the top. It is a bit hard to explain without a picture I guess what I am picturing in my head. Along with nice oak 1"x y" boards not plywood.
[quote=“Cdangel0, post:3, topic:6043”]
Exactly what my thought process is. Thank you for confirming the idea doesn’t suck. Now I have to figure out how to make a tight join at the corners so I don’t have weird light lines creeping out. Can’t puddy them as they need to swing open seperate from each other.[/quote]
Just glue in short pieces of 1/4 round trim. They will give minimum access blocking, and maximum light blockage.