Canopy help

dort · #1 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 08:50 PM

Hi all,

I'm going to try to build a canopy for my 55 for a dual 175 watt MH ballast I have and I've never really built anything, ever.

Do I HAVE to use fans? How high does it have to be? I think I understand the 75 Gallon DIY Canopy thread. Thanks a ton...I'm clueless.

John · #2 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 09:26 PM

I would say make the canopy about 12" - 16" tall.

If you do an open back canopy, you may not need fans. However! (I use that word wayyyyy too often.) However... I would recomend that you do use fans.

Give me the dimensions and I'll try to get a sketchup done for you.

EDIT: 55 gal, I'll make a drawing for 12x48

dort · #3 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009, 10:08 PM

Thank you! I think I understand the idea...just have never built anything. You're right about the dimensions. I can probably figure out the fans, so I'll look into it...should it still be 12" tall with fans?

BayCityReefer · #4 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009, 11:02 PM

Yes it should.

Them buggers get warm. When i had dual 175s on my 75g i had an open back canopy. Bulbs where prob 10" off the water and i just had to add two 4 " computer fans. one at one end blowing in. One at the blowing out.

jay13 · #5 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009, 11:44 PM

My canopy is 16 inches tall and has one fan in it.... pretty sealed up so it gets the water warm. Say about 6 degrees warmer than it is set for with no fan running. So fans = yes.

dort · #6 (**permalink**) 11-21-2009, 09:19 PM

nevermind...I think i get it

mf2055 · #7 (**permalink**) 11-21-2009, 10:39 PM

I heat my house with halides.... haven't turned the furnace on yet... 2x250HQI and a 400 MH are enough to keep 2800 sq ft warm so far this season... gets cold at night though...

champ128 · #8 (**permalink**) 11-23-2009, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mf2055

I heat my house with halides.... haven't turned the furnace on yet... 2x250HQI and a 400 MH are enough to keep 2800 sq ft warm so far this season... gets cold at night though...

Same here. I have a 90 gal with 2 250 watt mh and I usually open the windows in the evening. I also have fans, an open back and my canopy is 13" tall.

dort · #9 (**permalink**) 12-09-2009, 10:27 PM

I'm looking at 2 MASSCOOL FD08025S1M4 80mm Case fans from newegg...and now I'm at a loss on how to power them.

From pictures in other threads it seems like people slice open a power cord and wrap the appropriate wires together? Or buy some sort of variable power supply and do the same? Other than physics lab I haven't done anything like that.

The back of my canopy is completely open. I'll have 2x175W MH. The lights heating the tank won't be a problem until June..and my house stays about 72 in the summer. Could I get by with using a standing fan on hot days?

Thank you so much everyone

Gymnothorax · #10 (**permalink**) 12-09-2009, 10:30 PM

Use the 4" Coralife fans. Quiet and they come with the power supply, finger guards, and foam dust guard.

Gymnothorax · #11 (**permalink**) 12-09-2009, 10:37 PM

You can get cheap clip on fans that will do the trick if the back of your canopy is open but they will be much larger. Most hardware stores have them (when they are in season).