Hi,
I just thought to post the design of a zero clearance canopy. It just happens that my tank has one corner just in front of my fireplace (about 1" distance) and I couldn't use the traditional hinges in the back.
My father designed and build it when he came by our place this summer. The important features of the canopy are:
- opens with zero clearance in the front (i.e., the front cover goes up without requiring any space in front of the tank)
- the front part goes up completely (such that I can reach into the tank over the rim of the tank (as opposed to over the canopy).
- the lights stay in place when I'm playing with my hand in the tank such that I can see what I'm doing.
Nice goodies also afforded by this design:
- the lights (2 x 250W PFO HQI pendants) are easy to move back to get more space when I play in the water.
- the lights can be removed one at a time without opening the canopy to clean them
- the lights can be adjusted for height really easy
- the top of the canopy just stays up when I put it up without the need for a prop
- has rust-proof hinges
- looks good (no cuts on the front, no visible fans)
- has good ventilation (both in the back and where the lights get in).
- is structurally sound
- has an open back such that all my plumbing (sump return/refugium return/circulation) can come into the tank without headaches.
The canopy in discussion is the one on top. The one on the bottom is my old canopy.
All the best,
Mihai
I just thought to post the design of a zero clearance canopy. It just happens that my tank has one corner just in front of my fireplace (about 1" distance) and I couldn't use the traditional hinges in the back.
My father designed and build it when he came by our place this summer. The important features of the canopy are:
- opens with zero clearance in the front (i.e., the front cover goes up without requiring any space in front of the tank)
- the front part goes up completely (such that I can reach into the tank over the rim of the tank (as opposed to over the canopy).
- the lights stay in place when I'm playing with my hand in the tank such that I can see what I'm doing.
Nice goodies also afforded by this design:
- the lights (2 x 250W PFO HQI pendants) are easy to move back to get more space when I play in the water.
- the lights can be removed one at a time without opening the canopy to clean them
- the lights can be adjusted for height really easy
- the top of the canopy just stays up when I put it up without the need for a prop
- has rust-proof hinges
- looks good (no cuts on the front, no visible fans)
- has good ventilation (both in the back and where the lights get in).
- is structurally sound
- has an open back such that all my plumbing (sump return/refugium return/circulation) can come into the tank without headaches.
The canopy in discussion is the one on top. The one on the bottom is my old canopy.
All the best,
Mihai
