DIY Canopy Plans

[William_Liebbe]

I'm looking for plans for building a canopy. Specifically the type using a piano hinge so the front and part of the top fold back for feeding etc. Have seen several possibilities when googling that lead hear but seems like everyone used Photobucket and the pics are no longer visible.

One will be for my 180 rimmed tank nut I also have a 60 cube rimless that currently has seahorses in it. I know I can rest a canopy directly on the glass due to stress but is there are any designs with some type or vertical bracing to support the canopy I would appreciate those too.

Thank You


Bill

 

[Flippers4pups]

Mine isn't built that way, but you may get some ideas from my canopy build. Check it out in my signature.

 

[prsnlty]

I'm looking for plans for building a canopy. Specifically the type using a piano hinge so the front and part of the top fold back for feeding etc. Have seen several possibilities when googling that lead hear but seems like everyone used Photobucket and the pics are no longer visible.

One will be for my 180 rimmed tank nut I also have a 60 cube rimless that currently has seahorses in it. I know I can rest a canopy directly on the glass due to stress but is there are any designs with some type or vertical bracing to support the canopy I would appreciate those too.

Thank You


Bill

I've used piano hinges on the doors of a previous canopy and for this you need to know that they rust fairly quickly. I even put a dusting of clear acrylic spray on them which eventually wore off. Mine were from Lowes but you might find better quality ones online that won't rust.

I know this isn't the answer you were looking for but I just had to add that from experience with the hinges.

 

[143MPCo]

Not my plans but looks like a good resource...

http://jjgeisler.com/reeftank/75-90g_aquarium_hood.htm

 

[SashimiTurtle]

Try to find brass or stainless piano hinge. Regular steel will rust quickly.

 

[prsnlty]

Here's a link to a 90g plan set. http://www.knottyplans.com/index.php?page=10011&ref=ctheriault

 

[prsnlty]

Just adjust for size...

 

[William_Liebbe]

Try to find brass or stainless piano hinge. Regular steel will rust quickly.

Good idea thanks

 

[mfinn]

I made several canopy's clam shell style ( I heard someone call it that), cut in half so the front folded up and rested on the back half when open.
I don't have plans and imageshack ate most of my early pictures.
But what I did was real simple.
I built a box that was about a 1/4" bigger all around, then my tank top dimensions.
Made it tall enough to install the particular style of lights I wanted at the time.
Then I installed a rail ( 3/4" x 3/4") around the inside about a 1-1/2" from the edge.
That would be the part that sits on the tank top.
Once the box was built, I ran it length ways through my table saw to create the front and back half.
I made the back half bigger to stabilize the top when open.

Here is my only surviving picture.

 

[William_Liebbe]

Here's a link to a 90g plan set. http://www.knottyplans.com/index.php?page=10011&ref=ctheriault

Very nice thank you

 

[prsnlty]

Try to find brass or stainless piano hinge. Regular steel will rust quickly.

They claimed the ones i purchased from lowes were stainless... they rusted inside the hinge mechanism. I suspect they were only stainless plate but it didn't say so. These companies are sneaky devils for sure

 

[SashimiTurtle]

They claimed the ones i purchased from lowes were stainless... they rusted inside the hinge mechanism. I suspect they were only stainless plate but it didn't say so. These companies are sneaky devils for sure

I bet the hinge was stainless but the rod inside was regular mild carbon steel. Might be tough to find a rust proof hinge...

 

[prsnlty]

I made several canopy's clam shell style ( I heard someone call it that), cut in half so the front folded up and rested on the back half when open.
I don't have plans and imageshack ate most of my early pictures.
But what I did was real simple.
I built a box that was about a 1/4" bigger all around, then my tank top dimensions.
Made it tall enough to install the particular style of lights I wanted at the time.
Then I installed a rail ( 3/4" x 3/4") around the inside about a 1-1/2" from the edge.
That would be the part that sits on the tank top.
Once the box was built, I ran it length ways through my table saw to create the front and back half.
I made the back half bigger to stabilize the top when open.

Here is my only surviving picture.

Great idea to run it through the table saw! Will match up perfectly and only have the thickness of the blade for a gap which is perfect!

 

[prsnlty]

I bet the hinge was stainless but the rod inside was regular mild carbon steel. Might be tough to find a rust proof hinge...

+1 That's exactly what happened

 

[William_Liebbe]

I've used piano hinges on the doors of a previous canopy and for this you need to know that they rust fairly quickly. I even put a dusting of clear acrylic spray on them which eventually wore off. Mine were from Lowes but you might find better quality ones online that won't rust.

I know this isn't the answer you were looking for but I just had to add that from experience with the hinges.

I have them on a canopy I purchased for $$$ (reason I want to do my own) and they appear to be powder coated

 

[William_Liebbe]

Not my plans but looks like a good resource...

http://jjgeisler.com/reeftank/75-90g_aquarium_hood.htm

Nice!! Thanks

 

[TylerMoralez]

That canopy type with the piano-like open was my original plan before I decided that the build would be too hard for me to figure out.

I was inspired by the Fluval Edge, but wanted something a little bigger so I decided to go with something a little bit more custom.

I built the stand/neck/canopy myself, but overall love the look. I even purchased a glass lid that I had cut and shaped to fit my tank exactly so that I didn't have much evaporation or opportunities for little jumpers.

If you're interested, I can easily send you my little write-up I had for it.

Check out my build thread I just started, and let me know what you think. I need a little bit more foot-traffic over there anyways!



Aloha Nano Build

https://www.reef2reef.com/index.php?threads/Aloha-Nano-Build.315066/

 

[BigJohnny]

Here's my 90g diy canopy with piano hinge. I recommend getting a thick strong stainless steel one from amazon. The ones at home Depot and Lowes are extremely flimsy. I can find which one I got for you if interested. I also have sketch up plans. Good luck!

 

[cpark645]

Here's my 90g diy canopy with piano hinge. I recommend getting a thick strong stainless steel one from amazon. The ones at home Depot and Lowes are extremely flimsy. I can find which one I got for you if interested. I also have sketch up plans. Good luck!

Plans please!

 

[BigJohnny]

Plans please!

Ok I'll try and find them, been a while.