Looking for plans for a tank canopy/hood

[TheNewbie]

Well, apparently I need a canopy built for my tank as everyone tells me to keep the hallide ballast/sockets I have as I'll kick myself later if I trade em off. I've looked through more DIY plans than I can even remember, but none of the ones I've seen have one that fits my tanks dimensions (and I'm not mechanically inclined enough to know how to scale anything down--I'm just gonna hand the plans to a carpenter and let him do his thing). I was wondering if anyone had plans that could accomodate this? Beyond gratefulness, I could compensate for the time if someone wants to actually create plans.

Well, apparently I need a canopy built for my tank as everyone tells me to keep the hallide ballast/sockets I have as I'll kick myself later if I trade em off. I've looked through more DIY plans than I can even remember, but none of the ones I've seen have one that fits my tanks dimensions (and I'm not mechanically inclined enough to know how to scale anything down--I'm just gonna hand the plans to a carpenter and let him do his thing). I was wondering if anyone had plans that could accomodate this? Beyond gratefulness, I could compensate for the time if someone wants to actually create plans.

My tank is 60" (long) x 18" (front to back) x 25" (tall). It's acrylic.

From the top it looks something like (pardon the bad drawing):

The 2 rectangles on the left being cutouts in the top of the tank where I can get inside the tank (tank has an acrylic top as well as the standard 4 sides and bottom). The Circle on the top being a hole for a hose of some sort, the rectangle on the right being a prebuilt overflow thing...the 2 circles inside it being drilled holes for the sump hoses to reach the sump in the stand (the stand I own, a sump I do not at present.

The lighting I have (and I hope this will be enough for my tank...if it's not I'd be grateful if someone would let me know) is one of these ballasts:

http://oceanencounter.com/Merchant2...tegory_Code=PFO

And 2 of these sockets (I think...I don't know if it's that exact one, but it looks just like it):

http://oceanencounter.com/Merchant2...tegory_Code=RSC

If at all possible, I'd also like to add some lunar lighting so I can simulate night and check out the nocturnal beasties I'll invariably want...don't know if that is even possible or if it has anything to do with a canopy that needs built.

Can anyone out there help someone who's feeling incredibly overwhelmed out?

 

[Kensn]

Hello,

I was wondering where you lived. I am in Auburn and would be more than happy to help you design a hood for your tank. You can look at my homepage for a shot of the stand and hood I built for my 90. If you would like to pop by and check it out that would be fine and maybe we could get something down on paper for ya. Let me know.

Ken

 

[NaH2O]

TheNewbie - welcome to Reef Frontiers!! Here is another bump for you. Let us know how your project goes. I'm not sure where you are located...perhaps there are some local reefers that can help out with putting together the canopy for you?

 

[TheNewbie]

I'm in Central Oregon (just north of Bend). I found a guy who claims he can make a good canopy...sent him pictures of my stand and dimensions along with what I wanted and he said he'd call back with a price quote...but as of yet has not done so.

 

[Kensn]

Huh, I guess you are a bit to far to pop by.

Ken

 

[plack]

Make sure to check the height that the bulbs will be at when the hood is closed my son made one from plans found on I think it was RC and it is 15" above the tank now we have to lower the lights inside and I thought I'd pass this mistake along so you don't do it as well the plans did not sjhow were the fans went but that was less of a problem Just sompthing to consider you don't want it in the way of possible vho bulbs
which many people use with there halides good luck
P.S. others have offered to help but you don't list where you live ?

 

[TheNewbie]

OK, local guy is going to be a dud I think. Anyone know of someone in the Central Oregon area that does this sort of thing?

 

[NaH2O]

The Newbie - you may want to check out a local club for someone close by. See if this link to a club in Oregon...hope it helps you out: PNWMAS

 

[TheNewbie]

Won't be any local clubs out here. The entire region has less than 100,000 people in it (about 55,000 in Bend and another 17,000 in my town...with about 8,000 scattered in the surrounding areas). This'd be cake if I still lived in a metro area