canopy question

[sk8rreefgeek]

I've kept my tank covered with glass tops to prevent my goby or blenny from jumping out. I'm getting a T5 setup this weekend and I want an open top.

If I built a wood canopy, wouldn't the evaporation cause the wood to rot/warp? anyone know a safe sealant to use? what would happen to all the water build-up?

I was also considering using perforated plastic to form a wall around the openings between the light and top of the tank, but I don't think it would look very good.

any ideas or personal experience?

[sk8rreefgeek]

I was also planning on getting a yellowhead jawfish

[Roy G. Biv]

I have a wood canopy, no extra protection. I think just polyeurethane. The lid to the canopy is slightly warped. I had to go to HD and buy aluminum stock. Like a long hollow square. I used aluminum screws to attatch it to the bottom of the lid to keep it straight.

[sk8rreefgeek]

I was thinking about building one out of aluminum and powder coating it, but I'm not sure if water would build up and drip down the sides

[Skeptic_07]

I would say the most important thing to keep the wood from sucking up water is not to ever let it touch the water. build it so that it fits over the top of the tank and not so that it sits inside the rim like i did.

i made a canopy out of some plywood and spray-painted it black two years ago for a FW tank. around this time last year, i started using the tank and canopy for a SW setup and now its all swollen and falling apart. It did come in contact with the water from time to time when the tank is topped off too high because i designed it to fit inside the plastic rim of the tank. now it no longer fits like that and the outer layer of wood is peeling off in a couple of spots. (edit: only the spots that touch the water are peeling like this)

the rest of the paint and wood seems fine though. I used one can of grey rustoleum primer and one can of gloss black rustoleum. I'm sure someone else knows something better to use though and i bet you should use marine plywood or something like that.

hth

[liquidlunch]

As long as the wood is not splashed often, you'll be fine. I use poplar for the sides and top for weight/cost issues and use redoak for the front and top lid for quality/hardness. The harder woods are less proan to warping.
If you are doing a "lid type", try to have the "crown" of the tree rings facing down on the lid piece. Just look at the end of the stock and you'll know what I mean.

Originally posted by sk8rreefgeek
I've kept my tank covered with glass tops to prevent my goby or blenny from jumping out. I'm getting a T5 setup this weekend and I want an open top.

If I built a wood canopy, wouldn't the evaporation cause the wood to rot/warp? anyone know a safe sealant to use? what would happen to all the water build-up?

I was also considering using perforated plastic to form a wall around the openings between the light and top of the tank, but I don't think it would look very good.

any ideas or personal experience?