What kind of lighting are using MH or flourescent? I've drawn up an open canopy design to house VHO bulbs. The only thing is that I haven't built it yet, but you're more than welcome to look at the drawings.
I would just like to post a note of caution. Dont skimp on the wood ie: dont use pine. I not of the wood working type have lived and learned. It may sound like a good idea beacause of the light weight of this type of wood, It buckles and warp. The hood I made is still up 1 MH 2 PC ,However I will go ply or birch next time.
Thanks for the advice, I was just about to build a hood and was going to use pine. I do want to keep it light tho. Is ply and birch also light? Did you use any protective coating on your hood with pine? thx
Both ply and birch weigh a good amount. The thickness of the wood will determine the weight. If and when I re-do I will go with ? pine just for the top. This will give support for the lighting.I would then go 1/4” ply for the sides and front.I think a good deal of thought should also go into what type of opening your hood will have. I have a front open and prefer this to a top open. Again this is a personal preference. To answer your question about protection I took the suggestion from a few folks on RO and RC and used an indoor outdoor spar urethane by MINIWAX. (clear satin.) I painted the wood a hi gloss brown then used the stain inside and out. Make sure to take your time and do a good job of finishing the inside of the hood you wont be sorry. Also there is a guy down on Canal St. that sells polished aluminum that you can use for reflecting light on the inside of the hood. There is also a guy who sell fans down there as well. (although you might do better on fans over at Comp. USA. They have cool looking fan guards to. Good luck.
Rebels23
Any wood is ok to use on your canopy as long as you seal every surface with paint, varnish or polyureathane. I used 5/4 pine for my canopy and it's held up well for over 5 years. The only problems I have had are the unpainted braces, which have begun to rot and the polyureathane finish on the inside of the doors has failed.
I think the type of wood you are going to use will depend mostly on the exterior finish you want (stained or painted). I recommend that you paint the interior with an oil based paint no matter what the exterior finish is going to be.
Also remeber to provide good ventilation. You must provide a way for the hot air to escape even with fans. The fans will only be able to push in as much air as is being let out.
I am new to this forum however I will be posting my design and pics of my DIY hood for my 75 gal reef
I have VHO's 4 110 it will be very interesting. Anyone can e-mail me for ques
THIS ONE IS A 40 LONG, BUT is same dims as a 55 gallon except not as tall in height.
A 75 gallon top I still have for sale. 150.00 and that price is a steal.
I use solid popplar wood as it is resistant to cracking and has a low swell ration with saltwater creep. It is fairly easy to work with, durable and can be stained in a number of finished and look good. I can make anything custom.
let me know if you want to save yerself a LOT of agervation.... THe willingness to build a hood is one thing, but the tools, knowledge, and technique is completely another.