How to build a DIY fish tank canopy (hood) at home:
A custom build canopy can become
the perfect hood for your aquarium. You can buy a ready-made canopy but for
personal satisfaction it is suggested to make your own & customize it with
accessories you need.
It is up to you whether you
purchase canopy or make it yourself, it will look awesome. It is a box like
structure which has an open bottom that fits atop your fish tank to hold
lighting & other stuff while offering your tank a clean & beautiful
look.
In my previous tutorials, I have built an aquarium stand & then I painted it. You can check out those tutorials by clicking on the links below:
In my previous tutorials, I have built an aquarium stand & then I painted it. You can check out those tutorials by clicking on the links below:
A DIY fish tank canopy can
enhance the look of your aquarium. You can put this canopy on top of
aquarium & it can help you hide the air pump, filter, lights etc. If you buy
a pre-build canopy, then it might cost you hundreds of bucks. However, my canopy
only costs 90 dollars & it is made up of best quality material. You can build aquarium hood yourself based on your
requirements.
Step: How to build a canopy for fish tank:
To build a homemade aquarium canopy follow this tutorial:
Material:
The material used to build aquarium top includes:
1. Plywood: Marine Grade AA (Thickness:
6mm) – Requirement: 3 sheets
2. Timber: 2 x 1 – Requirement: 9
m in length
3. Timber Screw: Size 6G x 30 mm
in length
4. Hand saw, circular saw &
other PPE
5. Paint
6. Door Hinges and knob
7. Magnetic Tape
Step 1: Cut wood for building canopy frame:
Cut wood for building canopy frame
I
have cut wood for building the frame of canopy. Cut 4 pieces of 118
cm, 4 pieces of 36 cm, 4 pieces of 29 cm & finally 4 pieces of 32.5
cm.
Step 2: Start making frame of the canopy:
Start making frame of the canopy
I started the procedure of building the frame for canopy by lying down the
wood on the ground first. I drilled holes in the wood for screws then I used
electric screw driver for screwing screw.
Step 3: Make a rectangular box frame:
Make a rectangular box frame
In this step I attached top rectangular frame to the bottom rectangular frame using 4 pieces. At the end of this step I have a rectangular box shaped frame.
Step 4: Make sections of wood for placing canopy on aquarium:
Make sections of wood for placing canopy on aquarium
I made sections from wood at the bottom of frame for placing this canopy on top of the aquarium.
Step 5: Use plywood to cover the canopy:
Use plywood to cover the canopy
After canopy frame is completed, I used
plywood to cover the canopy. Then I connected door hinge & knob for opening
& closing the lid.
Step 6: Paint the canopy:
Paint the canopy
After finishing mechanical work, I painted the canopy. Painting
requires patience & care. I used leftover paint from my previous project.
Step 7: Use magnetic tape for proper closing lid:
Use magnetic tape for proper closing lid
I used two layers of magnetic tape, one layer on
the lid & second on the body so that when I close the lid, it gets attached to the body of canopy.
Step 8: Put plywood on top for covering:
Put plywood on top for covering
I placed plywood on top of the canopy to cover it. This is the end of tutorial, & I hope you have learned how to build an aquarium canopy at home.
Pros of DIY aquarium canopy:
DIY aquarium canopy can provide a
fancy look to your fish tank, & hides the filter, air pump, lights &
other equipment. DIY canopy can be according to your requirement & it is cheap.
Cons of DIY aquarium canopy:
Canopy limits plants growth because
they need room. Also aquarium with canopy reduces the natural light entering it.
Plants & certain types of fish need more light.
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