Best Way to Fix a Canopy

[fftfk]

Hi - I have a custom made tank and canopy. I’m getting it setup to come back to reefing after a 5 year hiatus (was doing a planted tank for a while). There is one error on the canopy in that it doesn’t come down far enough to cover the water line so you get a lot of unfiltered light plus it just looks sloppy. Here is a photo -

anyone have any ideas on how to cover it up/mask it that won’t look janky? I was even think a strip of black felt line tape but am worried it would ruin the tank surface if I ever took it off. The tank is acrylic and the tape might leave residue that wouldn’t come off without solvent.

thanks for any ideas.

 

[redfishbluefish]

Didn't mention the distance needed, but what first came to my mind was quarter round molding.

 

[mfinn]

To get a better idea what you are working with, you need to post pictures that show the whole picture. Pictures of the canopy outside and in. How the canopy sits on the tank. Is there a strip of wood on the inside that can be moved higher ( to allow the canopy to sit further down on the tank).
Also sometimes it might be easier to raise the water level in the tank. Is there a overflow box that can be altered?
Maybe a thin strip of acrylic on the inside of the overflow box to raise the water line?

 

[Rhino]

Moulding would work if you want to modify the canopy. You could get vinyl or window tint and put over the glass to conceal the water line as well. I would only do the vinyl if it's a taller tank.

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

I ended up raising my waterline a 1/2 inch for the same issue.

 

[hllb]

Looks bigger than what quarter round would cover. But I would add a decorative wood piece. Let me take a picture of mine that might help.

 

[hllb]

 

[fftfk]

Well - I didn’t really want to post full photos until I was fully moved over to salt but since it probably makes sense to show what I am working with!!! The tank is a 96”x36” peninsula. It has an overflow at the end. I thought about raising the water level but would virtually need to raise the water all the way to the Euro brace to cover the opening as the canopy only comes down to the glue line between the vertical walls of the tank and the seam with the brace.

I don’t think mounding would work bc I would need to be able to get my fingers in between it and the doors to open them

 

[hllb]

That is a really cool tank! I agree now, seeing it, that I wouldn't add trim pieces either. Honestly, I can't think of anything that wouldn't detract from the sleek, modern look. And it likely would stand out a lot because it would never match the wood grain. I know it bothers you to see the water line, but my eye isn't really drawn to it at all. I would likely just leave it.

 

[hllb]

You could try a straight vinyl strip in black all around the tank, perhaps, but I still think I'd just leave it.

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

Now seeing it, I'd leave it also, much as that sucks to say. That's beautiful as it is! I just hate seeing waterline also!

 

[burban94]

Something like this would could possibly work for you. You would just need to match it as best as you could and mount with double sided tape. One piece for each door and one for each "divider" between them. This would give the "illusion" that it's all one piece when closed.