so what do you like/dont like about your canopy?

Im taking my canopy off and going open top with my new fixture which will cover all but 1" on each side. Canopy was good for hiding my ugly DIY lighting rig but also traps alot of heat and doesnt help with evaporation. I guess it has pros and cons as does everything but I like being able to look down at my coral and stuff from the top. Its a whole different look and actually corals look way cooler that way than through glass. imo Im ditching the hood for now but will see in how it goes. Maybe will switch back later but trying something new.

 

I am very happy with the 'canopy' I build for mine... I have a Current fixture and it fits in the canopy still giving me the open top.

 

Yeah Brandon the way yours is set up is perfect and I might have to copy it. It gives the nice canopy look but still open top and can have a fixture. I think I might build something very similar.

 

Its an easy build and and very in-expensive.

 

The only thing I would change would be to add doors on the front on the one I Built

 

I really really like the one Jason built(or had built?). It's in the members photo gallery. I like how it has doors and the whole thing also opens up, that way if you're just feeding you don't need to open the whole thing...
http://greateriowareefsociety.org/Community/PhotoGalleries/tabid/57/AlbumID/461-19/Default.aspx

 

I don't like the way that the lights are attached to the lid on mine. Part of the front and the top are connected, so when you open it up more than just a little, you're greeted with 1000 watts of light...   I wish I had doors on the front so that I could just open a door without having to worry about the lights.

--AJ

 

Looks like solid wood....reality is it's 3/4 A grade maple ply with several coats of appliance epoxy on the inside (for easy cleaning). I don't remember what it cost as it's been a few years but it wasn't extremely expensive. I wouldn't use anything less than an A grade though (much easier to waterproof), you'll probably regret it down the road.

 

I got some white marine grade paint that I'm going to use on the inside of my hood. Looks like the last guy just used regular paint last time and it's all flaking off now after 3 years.

--AJ