Canopy for/on IM Nuvo 25?

[Reef of Fillory]

Hi everyone, I am moving my Nuvo 25 into the "family room" and my wife and I are going to be taking in foster kids in the near future. One of my concerns is that things will make their way into the tank.

To try to prevent this, I would like to build a hood for the IM Nuvo 25. My concern with doing this is that it's a rimless aquarium, and I'm not sure if it has the rigidity/robustness to hold the weight of a hood with all of the lights/gear etc. mounted in it.


I tried doing some searches and haven't found anyone that's gone this direction. Does anyone have experience with these smaller, rimless tanks and using hoods? Is there anything to be concerned about?

Thanks for reading!

 

[davidcalgary29]

I did a DIY mesh screen for my Nuvo 40. It worked out really well, but evaporation is a pain, and I've been too lazy to set up my ATO.

Last night, though, I hit upon this plan: I already have a DIY window screen kit, and I'm going to buy some pliable vinyl sheeting and insert that into the frame. It's cheap and translucent, and it should be possible to incorporate a feeding window (possibly with the mesh).

 

[Reef of Fillory]

I did a DIY mesh screen for mine. It worked out really well, but evaporation is a pain, and I've been too lazy to set up my ATO.

Last night, though, I hit upon this plan: I already have a DIY window screen kit, and I'm going to buy some pliable vinyl sheeting and insert that into the frame. It's cheap and translucent, and it should be possible to incorporate a feeding window (possibly with the mesh).

I do already have a mesh screen on top of the tank - What I can just see happening though is a little one "feeding the fish" his/her dinner through the screen. Or dumping juice/milk etc. into the tank.

The canopy, with a latch on the top would provide an additional barrier to them gaining access.

 

[davidcalgary29]

I'd be afraid of my kids dumping the canopy in the aquarium and getting a shock! I do understand your dilemma, though, and have had to warn my kids (11 and 12) that there are dangerous things in the tanks. You can always contact Clearview Lids for a custom build, but that could get pricey.

How about putting a thin piece of clear plastic on the mesh? It would at least provide some barrier to food items "mistakenly" tossed into the tank.

 

[Reef of Fillory]

I'd be afraid of my kids dumping the canopy in the aquarium and getting a shock! I do understand your dilemma, though, and have had to warn my kids (11 and 12) that there are dangerous things in the tanks. You can always contact Clearview Lids for a custom build, but that could get pricey.

How about putting a thin piece of clear plastic on the mesh? It would at least provide some barrier to food items "mistakenly" tossed into the tank.

I'm not sure I understand what you mean? The canopy would sit on the top of the glass, all around the tank, so it wouldn't be able to fall into the tank? [Using a lip that "hugs" the top and side of the glass]

The additional benefits would include hiding the light fixture [I use Metal Halide] and providing space to add a T5/Led strip for blues/night lights

 

[davidcalgary29]

Well, yes, you'd then need to have some type of frame on the top of your build on which the canopy could rest. That's hard to do on a rimless thank, though. And it couldn't budge, because then a corner might slip in when you're doing maintenance. My Evo 13.5 has a canopy, and it's hard not to give it a dunking when doing routine maintenance. I understand that you're going for a much more secure build, though.

Another consideration: are you going to cover the "sump" in the back? My main consideration here would be gas exchange issues.

I wonder if a RSM 130 canopy could be modified for you needs. I have a RSM 250, and the canopy on that one is a beast. I can certainly see how you could latch that shut.

 

[Reef of Fillory]

I did a DIY mesh screen for my Nuvo 40. It worked out really well, but evaporation is a pain, and I've been too lazy to set up my ATO.

Last night, though, I hit upon this plan: I already have a DIY window screen kit, and I'm going to buy some pliable vinyl sheeting and insert that into the frame. It's cheap and translucent, and it should be possible to incorporate a feeding window (possibly with the mesh).

On the feeding window, I noticed that BRS sells these and they seem really interesting.

Screen Top Feeding Portal

Add a Screen Top Feeding Portal from Neat Aquatics and say goodbye to dried-on, smelly food bits getting stuck to your screen top netting. The Screen Top Feeding Portal is the ultimate convenience-enhancing accessory for your screen top. The portal provides a secure solution for feeding that...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

 

[davidcalgary29]

I like that! I'd prefer a lift-up flap, though, so I can put in the tongs to move frags, aquascape, and the like.

 

[Reef of Fillory]

Well, yes, you'd then need to have some type of frame on the top of your build on which the canopy could rest. That's hard to do on a rimless thank, though. And it couldn't budge, because then a corner might slip in when you're doing maintenance. My Evo 13.5 has a canopy, and it's hard not to give it a dunking when doing routine maintenance. I understand that you're going for a much more secure build, though.

Another consideration: are you going to cover the "sump" in the back? My main consideration here would be gas exchange issues.

I wonder if a RSM 130 canopy could be modified for you needs. I have a RSM 250, and the canopy on that one is a beast. I can certainly see how you could latch that shut.

I think we might be visualizing different things I do appreciate all of the input!

This is what I'm thinking:

1x1 or 1x2 square frame that sits flush on top of the tank
A 3-sided frame tall enough to encase my lights and support any misc. equipment [feeder, etc.] that covers the top inch or so of the tank glass

Open back [removable back panel potentially] with half of the top open for ventilation, and the front panel on a hinge to swing up for access.

 

[Reef of Fillory]

Of course, I'm no graphic artist and nothing there is to scale! I definitely don't want a 1.5' canopy on top of my 25 gallon tank LOL

 

[davidcalgary29]

Wow, that's ambitious! You clearly have carpentry/electrical skills that I don't.

The other way that I could see this working is if you put the tank on a cart with wheels that can be pushed back into a larger cabinet in which lighting is affixed at the top. That way no one can dump sticky things into your aquarium.