Adding VHO's to my MH pendants (1 Viewer)

[Guest]

My current lighting setup consists of a pair of Reef Optix HQI pendants hung over the tank like so:

I've decided to add some VHO's for actinic supplementation. Originally I was going to build a canopy around the top of the tank to mount the VHO's to and leave the top open for the pendants to shine through. However, I really like the open top look to the tank, and it's soooooo easy for maintenance not having to mess with a canopy.

So, now I'm thinking of building one large pendant to hang over the whole tank which will contain the MH pendants and the VHO's inside it. My biggest concern here is weight, so I'm looking for ideas to make this project work. My current design thoughts are:

- build a frame \0t of 1x2 pine (or could I get away with 1x1) that is 18"x48"x6"

- the top would be open completely, with another 1x2" board across the middle to mount the MH pendants to. Leaving the top open would help with heat exchange, as well as reducing the weight of the pendant.

- cover the front, back, and sides with the thinnest sheets of lumber I can find and stain it to match my stand. I know you can get plywood in 1/4" sheets (maybe even 3/8"), but what about other kinds of wood? I want something that will have a similar grain as my oak stand (although oak is a heÏ y wood, so that might not be possible).

I would like to look into other ways to reduce the weight if possible, so any suggestions would be appreciated. For instance, is there anything I could use for the framing or the skin that would be lighter? I would prefer for the skin to match my wood stand, but if I could find something black that would be a lot lighter (ABS, aluminum, etc.) and is still something I can work with I would be interested.

EDIT - I was just thinking, the pendant does not have to be the full 18" deep. It could be just deep enough to accomodate the MH pendants with a VHO tube on each side. Maybe 12" or so would do it.

 

[Guest]

You can get oak or other hardwood paneling, like they use in cabinetry. Think Bison Building Materials or another specialty lumber yard, not Home Depot. This stuff is very thin and lightweight, and you can get some to match any grain and color.

 

[Guest]

Excellent tip, especially if I can get some pre-stained or veneered to already match what I have (the staining was the part of the project I was dreading the most).

Where is Bison - or do they have several locations?

 

[Guest]

Bison, 1445 W. Sam Houston Parkway, N. (713)365-0118, is located on the West Belt, just north of I-10, opposite side of Aquatic Designs. Call before you go, as I don't know if they do retail anymore. I used them in the past for intricate millwork and crown mouldings.

OR, try Clark's Hardwood Lumber Co. [(713) 862-6628] The are in the Heights, at 700 E. 5 1/2 St.

OR, Houston Hardwoods, Inc. [(713) 686-6176] on West 34th between Mangum and 290.

Just to name a few. They should all have hardwood veneers and paneling.

 

[Guest]

Wow, phone numbers and all. Thanks a lot!

 

[Guest]

Well, it's finally done - or almost done. I haven't finished staining the trim that will cover up the edges, so ignore the ugly parts that will be covered up.

Overall, I'm very pleased with how it came out. It took 5 coats of stain to get the depth of color I wanted, but it's nearly identical to the cherry oak stand and my other office furniture, so it was worth the effort.

And the effect from the VHO actinics is incredible. Everything is so much more colorful and looks like it did when I bought it instead of just brown. And when just the actinics are on - oh man, the fluoresence makes me want to put on some Pink Floyd and light up a - cigar, yeah, that's it.

 

[Guest]

Looks good.