Aluminum T Slot Canopy for 200 Gallon Nuvo Peninsula

[LowCo Reefer]

Hi,

I am planning a canopy for my 200 gallon innovative marine being delivered this Saturday. I want the canopy so light doesn't bleed into the room.

Has anyone made a canopy using aluminum T slots? I am planning to use linear bearings to be able to raise and lower the canopy, I know they won't support the weight fully but it would just be for the track and then I can prop the canopy open.

I am also weighing the options on what doors/access I should have in the canopy. Doors = more weight. I am wondering if I can find a way to just have removable panels.

I want to wrap the aluminum in white car vinyl, at least that's what I found elsewhere online. I plan to use white acrylic panels.

Basically just looking for thoughts/ideas that I haven't thought of before I order >$1000 in aluminum

i

 

[TX_REEF]

Will you secure the vertical to studs in the wall? That would definitely ensure stability and load bearing ability.

 

[LowCo Reefer]

Will you secure the vertical to studs in the wall? That would definitely ensure stability and load bearing ability.

I was not planning on securing it the wall studs but certainly could. I figured with the tank butting up against it and the wall that would be enough weight to support it.

 

[TX_REEF]

since you're going through the expense and trouble anyway, you might as well do it all the way and bolt it to the studs. if i were you I'd add a horizontal between the two wall-abutting verticals so you can use that to secure to the studs, wherever they lie. ultimate peace of mind!

 

[Klyle]

Hi,

I am planning a canopy for my 200 gallon innovative marine being delivered this Saturday. I want the canopy so light doesn't bleed into the room.

Has anyone made a canopy using aluminum T slots? I am planning to use linear bearings to be able to raise and lower the canopy, I know they won't support the weight fully but it would just be for the track and then I can prop the canopy open.

I am also weighing the options on what doors/access I should have in the canopy. Doors = more weight. I am wondering if I can find a way to just have removable panels.

I want to wrap the aluminum in white car vinyl, at least that's what I found elsewhere online. I plan to use white acrylic panels.

Basically just looking for thoughts/ideas that I haven't thought of before I order >$1000 in aluminum

i

That looks like it’s going to be awesome! I was planning on something similar, but mine being a 40g AIO I decided to build mine out of oak. It allowed me to come up with an easy solution to the panels…I know this isn’t what you’re doing but I figured it couldn’t hurt and might even give you other ideas. I built the frame, ordered 1/8” acrylic panels cut to my dimensions, then drilled holes in the wood and sealed magnets into it with hot glue. I attached magnets to the panels. Now I can remove and replace the panels in a matter of seconds. I do think the aluminum rails would have been cooler, but this was way less headache for me!

 

[Dburr1014]

Someone on the site bought a stand and a couple smaller stands from IM and made exactly what your picture shows.

 

[LowCo Reefer]

Someone on the site bought a stand and a couple smaller stands from IM and made exactly what your picture shows.

I saw that they did that! Unfortunately they no longer make the stands for the nuvo 20 peninsula. That tank was not a true peninsula style either, I would have to pay a premium for the stands left on the market and they would not be quite the dimensions I am looking for.

I ordered the parts from tnutz for my custom stand! So we will see how it turns out

 

[Doctorgori]

I used pvc sheet from Home Depot

 

[LiquidSpace]

Any update on this?

 

[LowCo Reefer]

Any update on this?

I'm still working on it! I like how it's turning out though. I used PVC panels and button fixes. The button fixes allowed me to pivot or remove panels for easy access.

This is a video showing the mechanism.