Please help me build a canopy?

[bakbay]

I’m planning to build a canopy that rests on top of the tank using 8020 t-slots. I will put rubber feet on the bottom of the structure to prevent scratching and from tipping over. The outside will be skinned with magnetic pvc panels later. The 3/4” acrylic tank is 96x36x24 that sits on top of a metal stand.

Questions:
1. Can the tank support the weight? I’m guesstimating 50lbs of material & lights?
2. Is this a bad idea? Should I need to secure to the stand from the back?
3. Has anyone done this before and can give me feedback?

Many thanks!

 

[KrisReef]

The tank can easily support the weight.
I have not built one like you described but if it is designed correctly it won’t fall off or in the tank but just rest snug on top.

Bumps for folks with experience with this type of construction.

 

[zheka757]

Don't be fooled by that "50lb" weight, lights are very heavy when you start pile them up. I had to build winch to lift my canopy for tank access. By the time I put all this lights I couldn't pick it up with one hand. Having said that, I Weight 200lb, and I was sitting on top of my tank, and it was not a problem.

 

[cooltowncorals]

Tenecor uses a similar design look on their website for inspiration.

I thought about doing something similar but… I just hung some light proof curtains instead from the ceiling. Post pics I’ll follow along. That way I could just reach in change them out for like 40 bucks if they get too dirty. And not to worry about sitting something on top.

 

[bakbay]

There are some constraints — I can’t touch the ceiling nor the walls. I thought about hanging the canopy but the Home Boss quickly killed that idea! Dooh

The height of the canopy will be 24” so should have plenty of clearance for some maintenance work.

 

[bakbay]

Don't be fooled by that "50lb" weight, lights are very heavy when you start pile them up. I had to build winch to lift my canopy for tank access. By the time I put all this lights I couldn't pick it up with one hand. Having said that, I Weight 200lb, and I was sitting on top of my tank, and it was not a problem.

Interesting idea. I’m planning to put the LEDs (tbd on Radions + Orphek bars) and their power bricks so if/when I need to remove the canopy, it will be just one power cable and two people can take the whole thing down.

 

[Doctorgori]

I’ve built a few, my last one was a combo of a 30/30 aluminum “frame” sheeted over with 3/8” white pvc board with a white gloss formica skin….it looked sharp

material choices governed by salt immunity and weight
….I can help you source and assemble if interested

Unfortunately all my tank/fish pics are somewhere in cyber/usn stick world ….if the thread continues I’ll dig them up

 

[zheka757]

Also keep in mind, that 24" canopy hight will barely give you access space to work on this tank once it's running. I have 30"front to back and I have hard time accessing all the way across the tank. You got 36" and with that canopy it will almost be impossible, and if you put this tank against the wall, you won't have any access to the back at all.

 

[zheka757]

There are some constraints — I can’t touch the ceiling nor the walls. I thought about hanging the canopy but the Home Boss quickly killed that idea! Dooh

The height of the canopy will be 24” so should have plenty of clearance for some maintenance work.

I had just as much constrains, but here I am with pantry being used as a fish room/back side of my tank. And my tank is build in a load bearing wall of the house.

 

[bakbay]

I had just as much constrains, but here I am with pantry being used as a fish room/back side of my tank. And my tank is build in a load bearing wall of the house.

Very nice setup — that’s amazing! Love the finishing details and the aqua scape, too.

I can’t build anything around it either, even I tagged it as a “fish room” lol

 

[bakbay]

Also keep in mind, that 24" canopy hight will barely give you access space to work on this tank once it's running. I have 30"front to back and I have hard time accessing all the way across the tank. You got 36" and with that canopy it will almost be impossible, and if you put this tank against the wall, you won't have any access to the back at all.

Thanks, good point. I can make the canopy higher - say 30”? I’m not planning to ever touch the back and let coralline algae grow though. Most of the rock work will be closed to the center and front for ease of coral placements.

 

[mdpitts]

Tenecor uses a similar design look on their website for inspiration.

I thought about doing something similar but… I just hung some light proof curtains instead from the ceiling. Post pics I’ll follow along. That way I could just reach in change them out for like 40 bucks if they get too dirty. And not to worry about sitting something on top.

Wow! That's thinking outside the box. I've been sewing for decades and have a high dollar home embroidery machine and I immediately thought of all the cool fish and coral designs I could embroider on something like this.