How hard is it to make a canopy or should I just have someone else build it for me?

[pandimus]

What type of wood should I be using since I'll be painting it white I don't need anything fancy

Poplar is a very cheap paint grade wood.. I'd check into a kreg pocket hole jig for connecting your sides... That's what I used.. I must say I love the rail idea which I didn't do, but I did use a piano hinge to open the hole face and also used a standard door for quick stuff like getting water sample or throwing in food.. I'll post pics in a bit.. I used half inch maple for mine. It doesn't have to be very heavy duty

 

[pandimus]

@ziggnit how are those drawer rails holding up to the salt?

 

[reefes pieces]

1/2" is perfectly fine. You can go super thin and pull off a non flimsy look/sturdy but that would require some good planning and intermediate wood working skills. Go for cheap wood if ur painting white and use a heavy sandable primer.

 

[pandimus]

 

[pandimus]

 

[pandimus]

And the inside where I kreg jigged it

 

[sonubhai]

I am in the process of building a stand for someone. My first time doing any kind of wood work. This is the calculator I use and it's good instructions. Check it out
http://www.garf.org/calculators/BuildHighProfileCanopy.asp

 

[sonubhai]

This one is for canopies

 

[ndrwater]

Okay. Here are my 2 cents. And yes, I do this for a living... Solid wood is okay, and as mentioned above, Poplar is relatively inexpensive. It can be painted, or stained. Just make sure it is sealed in/out to minimize any movement due to moisture.
If you want to use plywood, and paint the canopy, there is a material called MDO. It is an exterior grade plywood with a paper face. Excellent for painting. Sign makers use it all the time. It should be available at any lumber yard. Home Depot doesn't carry it.

 

[zigginit]

@ziggnit how are those drawer rails holding up to the salt?

they have been fine for 4 years or so. some small rust spots but nothing major. the screws used to screw it down have way more rust then anything else. I ended up removing the rail system when I went to LEDS though.

 

[xmas_one]

is this what you're trying to hide...? i would do a thin floating canopy for your tank... that would be godlike...

+1, a floating canopy would be the way to go on this tank. Build it light and mount it to the wall. No top, just sides. Closed canopies trap heat, moisture (on your expensive lighting!), and look super dated.

 

[GoBigGuy]

Well just finished putting on the trim, just need to get it painted once it gets a little warmer outside