Build fixture into canopy?

jeremyjoslin · 12/26/2009, 07:29 AM

Has anyone successfully (without burning their house down) built a canopy around an enclosed fixture before? I've got a great deal on a LNIB Current Orbit fixture for my 125 gallon tank ($500 http://www.current-usa.com/outerorbithqit5ho.html). I'm thinking of buying it and then building a canopy facade around it in such a way that the fan holes on the fixture are aligned with fan holes on the canopy. The top will be gapped wood with plenty of escape for heat.

The alternative is to pay $300 for a canopy kit on eBay, $1000 on retrofit lights, and hours and hours in assembly and paint.

rangerD275 · 12/26/2009, 07:43 AM

I'm thinking about trying this as well. I found a good deal on a fixture that I want to buy. I'm thinking it will be okay as long as the vents are lined up and you have fans in/ on top of your canopy (which you would need for a retro anyway). I may go with a 36" fixture over a 48 inch tank just to give it more space.

jeremyjoslin · 12/26/2009, 08:22 AM

My tank and fixture are 72"... so I'm not sure how to manage the length of the canopy. I'm thinking of doing a 1" overhang on the ends so that the fixture can sit on the legs it comes with. Alternative I hear these fixtures have some sort of rail on the top (haven't taken possession yet) that would be conducive to suspending inside the canopy.

Anyone have any experience with this?

rangerD275 · 12/26/2009, 08:53 AM

My canopy is 1.5 inches (width of the 1x10 that I built it with) wider than my tank, and the 48"fixture is actually 47.25" which gives me 2.25" difference. I'm hoping that is enough if I build vents on the sides and tops with fans. You can get a hanging kit for most fixtures which you could hang from your canopy if you had to. realistically though, you could just get a piece of aluminum angle from Home depot and use it to sit the fixture on.

lordofthereef · 12/26/2009, 09:13 AM

In theory so long as there is proper ventilation I don't see why this would be an issue. Hell, retro fits probably pose a greater risk of burning down the house.

Cjsparky · 12/26/2009, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeremyjoslin

Has anyone successfully (without burning their house down) built a canopy around an enclosed fixture before? I've got a great deal on a LNIB Current Orbit fixture for my 125 gallon tank ($500 http://www.current-usa.com/outerorbithqit5ho.html). I'm thinking of buying it and then building a canopy facade around it in such a way that the fan holes on the fixture are aligned with fan holes on the canopy. The top will be gapped wood with plenty of escape for heat.

The alternative is to pay $300 for a canopy kit on eBay, $1000 on retrofit lights, and hours and hours in assembly and paint.

Let me know if you arent going to buy it...I could swoop right in!

CJ

rangerD275 · 12/26/2009, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeremyjoslin

Has anyone successfully (without burning their house down) built a canopy around an enclosed fixture before? I've got a great deal on a LNIB Current Orbit fixture for my 125 gallon tank ($500 http://www.current-usa.com/outerorbithqit5ho.html). I'm thinking of buying it and then building a canopy facade around it in such a way that the fan holes on the fixture are aligned with fan holes on the canopy. The top will be gapped wood with plenty of escape for heat.

The alternative is to pay $300 for a canopy kit on eBay, $1000 on retrofit lights, and hours and hours in assembly and paint.

Just so you know, I heard Current stopped making these. You might have trouble finding parts if something breaks.

Looks like a good deal though.

ostrow · 12/26/2009, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeremyjoslin

Has anyone successfully (without burning their house down) built a canopy around an enclosed fixture before? I've got a great deal on a LNIB Current Orbit fixture for my 125 gallon tank ($500 http://www.current-usa.com/outerorbithqit5ho.html). I'm thinking of buying it and then building a canopy facade around it in such a way that the fan holes on the fixture are aligned with fan holes on the canopy. The top will be gapped wood with plenty of escape for heat.

The alternative is to pay $300 for a canopy kit on eBay, $1000 on retrofit lights, and hours and hours in assembly and paint.

Should work fine. Keep the back of the canopy open as well -- making it a "crown". You can go without a lid and build a light rack to hang the fixture from as well, that would rest on top of the crown.

jeremyjoslin · 12/28/2009, 10:17 AM

Yeah, I could do the light rail and open top, but I'd have to make the facade front and sides higher than eye level. And then the tank's going to look like the open brief case in pulp fiction.

I'd love to see photos or hear of someone who's done this though.

moondoggy4 · 12/28/2009, 12:02 PM

Go to the lumber store and buy some 1'' thick wood say 4'' or 6'' wide they rip them on a table saw 1'' wide square then cut them to the length of the tank then do it again for the width. So you will have four lengths and four tops. Then cut 4 more for the height. Glue it and braid nail it or glue it and screw it. Now you can skin it with 1/2'' plywood but try to use marine plywood so it won't warp. You can do all of this outside and just put it on the tank. If you don't have the wood working tools most hobbyist love to help.

jeremyjoslin · 12/28/2009, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lordofthereef

In theory so long as there is proper ventilation I don't see why this would be an issue. Hell, retro fits probably pose a greater risk of burning down the house.

That's exactly what I keep telling myself. I just hate that warning on the website that says "Do not use this fixture inside a canopy." Obviously, it's a precaution for people who don't understand thermodynamics, but it still makes me worry.

jeremyjoslin · 12/28/2009, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cjsparky

Let me know if you arent going to buy it...I could swoop right in!

CJ

Tell me about it. It would be a waste to pass this up.

jeremyjoslin · 12/28/2009, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moondoggy4

Go to the lumber store and buy some 1'' thick wood say 4'' or 6'' wide they rip them on a table saw 1'' wide square then cut them to the length of the tank then do it again for the width. So you will have four lengths and four tops. Then cut 4 more for the height. Glue it and braid nail it or glue it and screw it. Now you can skin it with 1/2'' plywood but try to use marine plywood so it won't warp. You can do all of this outside and just put it on the tank. If you don't have the wood working tools most hobbyist love to help.

Thanks for the info. Do you think pine sheets are OK? Does HD or Lowes sell "marine plywood"? Warping is my biggest fear. I've read some other posts on painting... will need to refresh my memory when the time comes.

Does anyone's canopy grain go horizontal even though the stand cabinet grain is vertical?

ostrow · 12/28/2009, 02:21 PM

Yes. There is a difference between a fully-enclosed canopy though and a crown open in the back and at the top to allow heat ventilation. And you never want the surface of reflector or fixture to touch wood -- need spacers/hangers/etc

moondoggy4 · 12/29/2009, 12:38 AM

Wood grain should be vertical. If you can't find marine plywood just make sure the plywood has tight layers of wood with no gaps A lot of people use Kills as a first two coats then a bathroom type paint. I used Teak 1/4'' plywood for my stand and it was only 52 dollars for 4x8 sheet. They sell 1/4 sheets of regular plywood at Home Depot. There is a new type of plywood that the cabinet builders use all of the time and it has a nice finishe on it I will try to find the name. I built two canopy's and I use a gap between where I attache the light fixture and the top of the canopy so it basically has a false ceiling about a 1/2 gap it is a good place to run wires also.

12/26/2009, 07:29 AM	#1
jeremyjoslin Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Manlius (Syracuse) Posts: 898	Build fixture into canopy? Has anyone successfully (without burning their house down) built a canopy around an enclosed fixture before? I've got a great deal on a LNIB Current Orbit fixture for my 125 gallon tank ($500 http://www.current-usa.com/outerorbithqit5ho.html). I'm thinking of buying it and then building a canopy facade around it in such a way that the fan holes on the fixture are aligned with fan holes on the canopy. The top will be gapped wood with plenty of escape for heat. The alternative is to pay $300 for a canopy kit on eBay, $1000 on retrofit lights, and hours and hours in assembly and paint.

12/26/2009, 07:43 AM	#2
rangerD275 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 167	I'm thinking about trying this as well. I found a good deal on a fixture that I want to buy. I'm thinking it will be okay as long as the vents are lined up and you have fans in/ on top of your canopy (which you would need for a retro anyway). I may go with a 36" fixture over a 48 inch tank just to give it more space. Last edited by rangerD275; 12/26/2009 at 08:05 AM.

12/26/2009, 09:13 AM	#5
lordofthereef One reef to rule them all Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Leominster, MA Posts: 5,299	In theory so long as there is proper ventilation I don't see why this would be an issue. Hell, retro fits probably pose a greater risk of burning down the house. __________________ "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself" ~ Josh Billings Visit My Home page for current build thread (click my user name and select "Visit LordoftheReef's Homepage" in the drop down menu!

12/28/2009, 02:21 PM	#14
ostrow It's Dr. Goodluck Himself Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Oak Park, IL Posts: 11,654	Yes. There is a difference between a fully-enclosed canopy though and a crown open in the back and at the top to allow heat ventilation. And you never want the surface of reflector or fixture to touch wood -- need spacers/hangers/etc __________________ It's the return of Dr. Goodluck Himself. fml! Current Tank Info: 156G "brick", 150 sump and 75 fuge replaces Fire, Destruction, Sad :(

12/26/2009, 08:22 AM	#3
jeremyjoslin Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Manlius (Syracuse) Posts: 898	My tank and fixture are 72"... so I'm not sure how to manage the length of the canopy. I'm thinking of doing a 1" overhang on the ends so that the fixture can sit on the legs it comes with. Alternative I hear these fixtures have some sort of rail on the top (haven't taken possession yet) that would be conducive to suspending inside the canopy. Anyone have any experience with this?

12/26/2009, 08:53 AM	#4
rangerD275 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 167	My canopy is 1.5 inches (width of the 1x10 that I built it with) wider than my tank, and the 48"fixture is actually 47.25" which gives me 2.25" difference. I'm hoping that is enough if I build vents on the sides and tops with fans. You can get a hanging kit for most fixtures which you could hang from your canopy if you had to. realistically though, you could just get a piece of aluminum angle from Home depot and use it to sit the fixture on.

12/28/2009, 10:17 AM	#9
jeremyjoslin Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Manlius (Syracuse) Posts: 898	Yeah, I could do the light rail and open top, but I'd have to make the facade front and sides higher than eye level. And then the tank's going to look like the open brief case in pulp fiction. I'd love to see photos or hear of someone who's done this though.

12/28/2009, 12:02 PM	#10
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	Go to the lumber store and buy some 1'' thick wood say 4'' or 6'' wide they rip them on a table saw 1'' wide square then cut them to the length of the tank then do it again for the width. So you will have four lengths and four tops. Then cut 4 more for the height. Glue it and braid nail it or glue it and screw it. Now you can skin it with 1/2'' plywood but try to use marine plywood so it won't warp. You can do all of this outside and just put it on the tank. If you don't have the wood working tools most hobbyist love to help.

12/29/2009, 12:38 AM	#15
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	Wood grain should be vertical. If you can't find marine plywood just make sure the plywood has tight layers of wood with no gaps A lot of people use Kills as a first two coats then a bathroom type paint. I used Teak 1/4'' plywood for my stand and it was only 52 dollars for 4x8 sheet. They sell 1/4 sheets of regular plywood at Home Depot. There is a new type of plywood that the cabinet builders use all of the time and it has a nice finishe on it I will try to find the name. I built two canopy's and I use a gap between where I attache the light fixture and the top of the canopy so it basically has a false ceiling about a 1/2 gap it is a good place to run wires also.