diy glass/plastic canopy

hpt84 · 02-08-2008, 12:39 PM

I'm building a diy light hood for my aquarium. Under the hood I would like to have a glass/plastic canopy to cover the water surface. I was thinking between using an acrylic sheet or a commercial fluorescent light cover.
Here is a picture of a commercial fluorescent light cover if you don't understand what I'm talking about.

I would prefer to use the commercial fluorescent light cover, but will it affect the intensity of the light? Will it block some of the light from getting into the aquarium? I'm trying to setup up a planted aquarium so I could use all the light I can get. I'm going to have 4 T12 48in bulbs (4X40w) for a 55g.

tazcrash69 · 02-08-2008, 12:41 PM

Welcome to the forum.
Don't use those products.
Those covers are used to help diffuse light for a room.
You want that layer as clear as possible to get as much light into the tank.

swylie · 02-08-2008, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tazcrash69

Welcome to the forum.
Don't use those products.
Those covers are used to help diffuse light for a room.
You want that layer as clear as possible to get as much light into the tank.

Ditto. Use glass instead. Clear acrylic would work ok, but glass is cheaper and stiffer.

kasslloyd · 02-08-2008, 12:55 PM

you can buy the hinges directly from dr. fosters & smith for the glass canopy's. And then get glass cut to fit your aquarium top with the hinges and assemble them yourself. Its not technically difficult....

If you didn't want the plastic hinges you could make a canopy a million different ways...

SheriffBooth · 02-08-2008, 01:03 PM

Clear acrylic is available near the windows and doors dept. in Home Depot, if you're looking for that. Not that affordable, though - I think the last time I was there a 36x48 sheet was like $50, at least for the type that was stiff enough to not need bracing.

kasslloyd · 02-08-2008, 01:12 PM

I would use glass, its more optically clear then acrylic and it doesn't yellow/cloud with age and acrylic (specifically cheap acrylic) does. Plus glass is vastly cheaper, even getting it custom cut would be cheaper in most cases....

LS6 Tommy · 02-08-2008, 04:50 PM

Here's my version of the DIY glass top a bunch of us have made:

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/di...glass-top.html

& the original thread that shows the outside corner edge moulding in detail:

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/di...s-top-how.html

Tommy

hpt84 · 02-12-2008, 01:00 PM

Thank for everyone advice. I'm going with glass. I'll post a picture of the diy hood when I'm done.

02-08-2008, 12:39 PM	#1 (permalink)
hpt84 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4) Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: savannah, ga Posts: 81	diy glass/plastic canopy I'm building a diy light hood for my aquarium. Under the hood I would like to have a glass/plastic canopy to cover the water surface. I was thinking between using an acrylic sheet or a commercial fluorescent light cover. Here is a picture of a commercial fluorescent light cover if you don't understand what I'm talking about. I would prefer to use the commercial fluorescent light cover, but will it affect the intensity of the light? Will it block some of the light from getting into the aquarium? I'm trying to setup up a planted aquarium so I could use all the light I can get. I'm going to have 4 T12 48in bulbs (4X40w) for a 55g.

02-08-2008, 12:41 PM	#2 (permalink)
tazcrash69 Scape? What's a scape? (View User Tanks) PTrader: (21) Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Hawthorne, NJ Posts: 2,865	Welcome to the forum. Don't use those products. Those covers are used to help diffuse light for a room. You want that layer as clear as possible to get as much light into the tank. __________________ Walter Visit my 125 profile and gallery or my 5 gallon low-tech. Proud member of:NJAGC.net --May the floor under your tank always be dry, and your glass clear!!!

02-08-2008, 04:50 PM	#7 (permalink)
LS6 Tommy Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1) Join Date: May 2006 Location: Denville, NJ Posts: 1,102	Here's my version of the DIY glass top a bunch of us have made: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/di...glass-top.html & the original thread that shows the outside corner edge moulding in detail: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/di...s-top-how.html Tommy __________________ ><;;;"> <9))>>{ Eheim Pimp #204. 58 gal planted Oceanic Red Turquiose Discus, Japonica shrimp, assorted Blue Eyed Rainbows, Tetras, Hatchets, etc. 10 gal low tech planted Cherry shrimp tank Last edited by LS6 Tommy; 02-24-2008 at 01:19 PM.

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02-08-2008, 12:55 PM	#4 (permalink)
kasslloyd Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1) Join Date: May 2007 Location: Elkins, WV Posts: 99	you can buy the hinges directly from dr. fosters & smith for the glass canopy's. And then get glass cut to fit your aquarium top with the hinges and assemble them yourself. Its not technically difficult.... If you didn't want the plastic hinges you could make a canopy a million different ways...

02-08-2008, 01:03 PM	#5 (permalink)
SheriffBooth Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1) Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Kitty Hawk, NC Posts: 41	Clear acrylic is available near the windows and doors dept. in Home Depot, if you're looking for that. Not that affordable, though - I think the last time I was there a 36x48 sheet was like $50, at least for the type that was stiff enough to not need bracing.

02-08-2008, 01:12 PM	#6 (permalink)
kasslloyd Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1) Join Date: May 2007 Location: Elkins, WV Posts: 99	I would use glass, its more optically clear then acrylic and it doesn't yellow/cloud with age and acrylic (specifically cheap acrylic) does. Plus glass is vastly cheaper, even getting it custom cut would be cheaper in most cases....

02-12-2008, 01:00 PM	#8 (permalink)
hpt84 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4) Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: savannah, ga Posts: 81	Thank for everyone advice. I'm going with glass. I'll post a picture of the diy hood when I'm done.

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