Need to raise the hood

[kamikazee83]

Yes my goal is to protect the lights.

 

[aznt1217]

Try to attach a piece of acrylic to it that seems to be the best option.

 

[steveo32]

I would use the canopy as a fixture. Attach your lighting to the hood it self. Then attach a piece of acrylic to the bottom for protection but make it removeable for maintenance. I would also install 2 or 3 fans on the end to cool the lights and make vent holes as well.

 

[Killerdrgn]

I would use the canopy as a fixture. Attach your lighting to the hood it self. Then attach a piece of acrylic to the bottom for protection but make it removeable for maintenance. I would also install 2 or 3 fans on the end to cool the lights and make vent holes as well.

Yeah we're already planning on attaching lights to the top of the hood and there already are 2 holes in the tank that we could use for fans, though they are really small.
The purpose of raising the lights a bit is because the water level gets right up to where the lights would be. And it would allow us a little more room to install nice sized fans.

How safe is it to put the acrylic right under the fans basically almost touching?

 

[steveo32]

right under the fans basically almost touching?

Do you mean lights ? If so on my old T5 fixture there was about a 1/2''-1'' clearence.

If you did mean fan, IDK I think it would be fine.

Another option is to mount the fans on the top and blow cool air over the lamps.

 

[Killerdrgn]

oops yeah i meant lights

 

[kamikazee83]

the clearance is less than an inch. About 3/4 of an inch to be more precise.

 

[Solace Aquatics LLC]

I am sure a good wood worker can bend another piece of wood that can be added to make the hood taller.

Or you can use wiggle board and then bondo over the crevices in the wiggle board. Sand it. Paint it to match. Bingo!

 

[Killerdrgn]

whats wiggle board?

 

[Solace Aquatics LLC]

whats wiggle board?

Bendable Plywood. It is used for making circular molds.

I am sure other members have heard of it, wiggle board, wiggle wood...




Or you can make the curve by back sawing the wood and bending it into shape. I would recommend making a jig, so that it align properly.

 

[kamikazee83]

I am sure a good wood worker can bend another piece of wood that can be added to make the hood taller.

Or you can use wiggle board and then bondo over the crevices in the wiggle board. Sand it. Paint it to match. Bingo!

I'll look into that, time to go back to home depot. I do have something that is pretty flexible, I think its laminated wood or the fake wood stuff that is used with siding for decorations. Either way, I'll go back and see what's available.

 

[steveo32]

I second the the above. Try and get thin piece of wood. I for get the name but its about 2/16" thick. Add supports to the hood then nail the wood on one end, bend it to the curve.

 

[kamikazee83]

Thank you guys for all the help.