Diy halide hood

[Nessy]

I will soon be building a DIY hood for my tank, I will be installing two 400 watt 2000k "basically dissected lowbays" .
The hood will be totally enclosed with a lid. I was thinking of about a 10" depth to the hood. Do you think this is a bit shallow?. Has any of you built hood's for halides ? if so what
depth did you go for and why ?.

Thanks
Nessy

[barryb]

I've made mine 12" deep, to put the bulbs about 8 - 9" above the water, and it is completely open topped for air ciculation. The actual top of the hood is at eyebrow level so I won't be bothered by light spill. http://www.ultimatereef.net/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif



Last edited by barryb at April 27 2002,17:40

[les]

My hood, if you can call it that is more of a light box. That is 12" deep all round with an open top to allow heat to escape. My MHs are mounted on timber rails fixed inside the light box. 2x250w and 1x150w plus 4 flors. The lamp fixtures can be slip along to help with access.
I get little light escaping and heat transfare from my lamps, certainly is a lot less than if I had an enclosed hood. The heat from 2x400w would I imagine be a problem in an enclosed hood. If you still go with a hood you will need a few fans to suck and blow air both in and out of the hood.

[Nessy]

Thanks for the reply's,
I see what you are saying about the heat, http://www.ultimatereef.net/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif this is a bit of a concern of mine. I really would still like to have an enclosed hood, my last setup had 4 x 250 halides with an open top and the light spill was a bit much http://www.ultimatereef.net/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif
I am intending on incorporating a few pc fans in the hood and as I have converted my garage into a filter room with a 200 gallon sump, with a separate 30 gallon dsb/refuge and an 8ft skimmer "hopefully" these will keep the water temp at a reasonable level even with the heat under the hood. I can also have a couple of desktop fan's blowing over the sump if needs be. I suppose it will be a case of "suck it and see".


Nessy

[LEEWINK]

jesus christ nessy, how bigs the tank then ?

"as I have converted my garage into a filter room with a 200 gallon sump, with a separate 30 gallon dsb/refuge and an 8ft skimmer "hopefully" these will keep the water temp at a reasonable level even with the heat under the hood."

200 gallon sump - what, are you sure thats not the koi
pond ! http://www.ultimatereef.net/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

30 gallon refuge - for all the refuse http://www.ultimatereef.net/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

an 8 ft skimmer - wouldn't want to guess the bubble count
in that one ! http://www.ultimatereef.net/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

all sounds lovely jubbly, maybe some pictures would be nice, thx lee http://www.ultimatereef.net/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[kim]

Wow. When I was young my neighbours had a little swimming pool. I was ever so impressed. This, however, takes the biscuit. I am ever ever so impressed. Did you sell the car ? Do you run a PADI diving course ? http://www.ultimatereef.net/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Just to say that unless your hood extends fully down to the water surface (and nobody would bother), some light will find the gap and be wasted. How much light this represents is a function of the reflector you use (and to some extent also of the bulbs) and the height of the box above the water level.

In short, it ain't that simple. I wish it was - I am strung up on this problem right now.

[Nessy]

Guy's,

Thanks for the replys, here is the link to pic's of the filter room
http://www.elliottd.fslife.co.uk

Giving the canopy some thought http://www.ultimatereef.net/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/crazy.gif

the main tank is a 5ft cube, 3ft deep.... pick the glass up on monday, gonna break out the tubes of silicone on Tuesday and will start to stick the sucker together http://www.ultimatereef.net/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/alien.gif

Nessy

[barryb]

That is one really well thought out and well built set up, and a commendable lack of electrical spaghetti.

A raise of the hat to you! http://www.ultimatereef.net/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

[suggs]

can u tell me ur electricity supplier?....think i might invest in some of there shares http://www.ultimatereef.net/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif .....jealous as hell really,cant wait for pics of the tank when "glued" together!!!

[Bill]

V impresive. I've only got a car in my garage and that probably cost less than your filter room LOL

[KD]

Hi all http://www.ultimatereef.net/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Excuse me Nessy but did you say 5ft square and 3 ft deep!!!

How many gallons is that?

Have you got a wetsuit so you can get in it?

Please please post some pictures I have got to see it

Much respect

KD http://www.ultimatereef.net/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Nessy]

Guy's,
well, the tank is together now, I have just finished the cabinet work on the stand I am nearly finished with the hood too. I just need source some highly polished ali for my reflectors. all my aquascaping is done too. Must admit I am very happy with my efforts and I will post pic's very soon.
KD.. the tank will hold approx 400 gal exluding the sump and refuge.
Bill... I have spent around 400 quid so far on the entire set-up including the filter room as I use mainly reclaimed glass and do the work myself , oh thats excluding a few hundred quid on halides.

Nessy

[wet weston]

Nessy any chance of some piccies of the finishd hood? http://www.ultimatereef.net/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif What material did you use to build it with? I will shortly be going down this route and don't want to use anything that will rot or warp in a few months.

[richstrat]

Wet Weston,

I've had a hood on my tank for a coupla years. Made it out of MDF. It hasn't warped or swollen up yet, although it's starting to sag a little under the weight of the halide plonked on top of it. Depends on how you are going to finish it, but MDF is cheap and easy and as long as you seal the edges, it should last indefinitely.

HTH

Rich

[wet weston]

Thanks Rich, what have you sealed the edges with m8?

[richstrat]

Lots and lots (and lots) of paint...

Cut edges of MDF are a pain in the a** to seal. It is made slightly easier if you give it a couple of coats of proper MDF primer, but your will still be looking at 4 -5 coats to get a good seal / finish.

Cheers,

Rich

[wet weston]

Thanks for that Rich, now for the next stupid question! What sort of paint is best to use. i.e. least fumes non poisonous to stock etc?

[richstrat]

Hmmm,

The MDF primer is water based so no worries there, but you need a good waterproof paint for the rest of it. I've always used plain external gloss paint, but it desn't really matter as long as it's not emulsion http://www.ultimatereef.net/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

You can go for yacht paint if you're feeling really flush - International perfection 709 is really good, a two pack paint, can't remember if it's epoxy or polyurethane, really good stuff for boats but personally I've never bothered on the fish tank!

Fumes are an issue, which is why I always build / paint stuff in the loft room (provided I can get it downstairs) and leave any painted surfaces loads of time to cure fully - it usually works out at a week as I'm away from home Mon - Fri http://www.ultimatereef.net/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif

Any more? http://www.ultimatereef.net/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.ultimatereef.net/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.ultimatereef.net/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Cheers,

Rich

[Nessy]

Hi,
I am on the final stages of fitting the 400w bulb holders and the parabolic reflector to the inside of the hood then I will take some piccys. I used laminated chipboard, however like richstrat say's "Lots and lots (and lots) of paint..." is key. I will let you know how it holds out.
BTW. I used a moisture resistant paint for the undercoat and yacht enamel for the topcoats. I also have three 120mm pc fans blowing into the hood and a 6" x 24" slot in the hood to circulate the hot air.

Nessy