My DIY Canopy

[Michael_Lambert]

So this is my efforts at doing a home made canopy..

This canopy is being made for the 30G tank that we have at Little-reefers house...

Total cost was $45 for the Wood ( Partical board) Paint and sealant..

I have done the first coat on it.. so here you can see the process of it :)

[Michael_Lambert]

shot 2

[Michael_Lambert]

#3

[Michael_Lambert]

#4

[Michael_Lambert]

And #5

Like i said thats only the first coat..

And this was to be a surprise for her.. lol, Now I'm sure she is board at work and reading on-line so it's no longer a surprise..

FYI that tank you see in the picture is not the tank..lol just using for demonstration purposes!

this canopy.. will have installed 4x 15 watt Nos.. ( 2 x 10k and 2 x actinic ) as well as a Cora-life 20 Watt Compact fluorescent ( the Little screw in styles.

[Michael_Lambert]

Painting the inside of the canopy White...

as you can see here i have installed a "water Resistant" Socket for the 20W power compact bulb..

and will be installing 4 x 15 watt No fluorescents..


Again rougly.. lol Coat one.

[Michael_Lambert]

And shot 2.

[Michael_Lambert]

alright,

The lights are installed..

Now i was going to go with 4 15 watt Fluorescent tubes and the one 20watt Compact fluorescent Screw in..
Total of 80 watts

But now I'm thinking of going with

2 x 20 watt Compact screw In's and 2 15 watt actinic.

total of 70 watts

Now ideally the 80 watts would be more.. but comparing the tubes to the compact fluorescent i think the 70 watts of CF's would be better?

what do you all think??

[Michael_Lambert]

and shot 2...

[Michael_Lambert]

Done.. lol,

Now i gotta see how it matches up with the stand.. when i get it there.. Might have to go to a Flat black instead of this Semi Gloss..

Reflection from the paint and the room lighting is horrible.. for shooting in.. but here are some of the nicest shots i can get for now.. lol

[Michael_Lambert]

shot #2

[Cellenzweig]

as you can see here i have installed a "water Resistant" Socket for the 20W power compact bulb

Those little rubber sockets are great (although they can be hard to mount). They are only about $4 at home depot and the PC bulbs snug up against them well (creating a water resistant seal)

PS- I like the reflector / mount you've designed.

Colin