DIY Canopy In Progress

[deelucky]

nice job bro.

 

[autoponicz]

cool canopy....very simple yet so effective.....if u can get holesaws...it will make a nice hole for the computer fans.....lets get some pics of the retrofitted lights!

 

[Awibrandy]

J, the fans that came in the light fixtures I have pull the hot air out of the fixtures. I added two more fans to my canopy to blow across the top of the tank in my 155. In your case since the back of your canopy is open I would have one fan blowing across the tank, and the other pulling the hot air out. Sort of like the small duo window fans where one blows air in, and the other is set at exhaust. That is just my opinion.

 

[JHOV2324]

Yeah..I've decided to go with 2 3" computer fans that will blow across my lights....hopefully BC can help me wit them and show me how to wire them.......

I havent got my retro-fit as of yet...

As for the mesh guard i was planning on constructing...that plan has been terminated...I'm just going to staple the mesh to a thin wooden frame and attach that to the back of the canopy....I'll probably staple a piece under my lights in case the fish go airborne....

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Those staples are gonna rust.

 

[JHOV2324]

No they aint cause i'm gonna cover them with crazy glue get so no salt spray can touch it...:Blurp:

 

[crox99]

Nice job J. Now go back and finish the work:knockedou

 

[JHOV2324]

Ok here is an update....I added two 2 x 9 pieces to the back of the canopy to hold in place some mesh netting so my fishies dont go carpet surfing....all i did was lay down the mesh and drilled in the pieces and its holding pretty tight....I polyuranthened the inside of the canopy as well....

 

[JHOV2324]

I started the paint job....sanded down the canopy and then added two coats of Zizzner Primer....

Once it dried I started the final paint job and added two coats of Utlra Black Paint...waiting for the second coat to dry as I type and i installed the door knob.....:biggrin:

:tired: Canopy still not done....I have to cut holes for the fans and install rail and retro-fit kit....:tired:

 

[crox99]

It looks like this projects never ends.......

 

[Dmitry]

The joints inside the canopy - did you seal them with whatever you were using for the wood? Or something else (like crazy glue gel? I guess regular silicone would work too, no?)

 

[Awibrandy]

I started the paint job....sanded down the canopy and then added two coats of Zizzner Primer....

Once it dried I started the final paint job and added two coats of Utlra Black Paint...waiting for the second coat to dry as I type and i installed the door knob.....:biggrin:

:tired: Canopy still not done....I have to cut holes for the fans and install rail and retro-fit kit....:tired:

J, are you painting the inside of your canopy? I think you should, if for no other reason but to seal the wood. Other then that it looks great.

 

[JHOV2324]

DMITRY- No i didnt seal them with anything...they are up high and will not be affected by the salt spray....also will be covered when the retro fit goes in.....

Awi...I'm not sure if i'm going to paint the inside....I put two coats of polyurathene thinking that would suffice...

 

[House of Laughter]

HOV,

I'd coat the inside of the canopy with white as well - white is he abscence of spectrum and does not absorb anything, it gets reflected.

Good work on saving your fish.

house

 

[JHOV2324]

Well if you say so....then fine...more work for me...

 

[nycmat]

hey jhov. i am not sure what kind of primer you used but i hope you put a coat of sealant or water resistant primer. this way in the event of any spash's of water it will not seap into the wood and eventually do that wood wrong. looks nice though dude i am going to be doning the same type of thing to my tank
matt

 

[JHOV2324]

I only used what i was told to use.....Polyuranthene....Primer....Paint....

Mr. Woodman himself (Jhale) never mentioned anything about a water resistance primer...i thought the poly. was for that....:arg:

 

[lazibonez]

JHOV2324, what kind of mesh is that you are using? are they safe? and where can I get it from? Thanks.

 

[JHOV2324]

the mesh seems safe, the fish should bounce right off, it was a gift from kathyc, she can tell u where she gets it from

 

[JHOV2324]

Canopy Fans are finally wired up.......i just used solder and electrical tape....for those who are doing DIY canopy Fans..and your wondering to which wires the black and red from the fan go to on the ac adapter...look at the ac adapter wires...one of them has writing on them and most likely that is the where the black wire gets connected to...the yellow wire from the fans just clip it off....ohh yeah and dont grab the fans when you are testing them....lets just say ouch....

waiting on lights to come in this week so i can place them in the canopy and make the fans holes....