My DIY hood

[bubbletip1]

I just completed my new VHO hood for my 29 gal All glass. Just thought I would share....

 

[bubbletip1]

Opps forgot the picks......be right back

 

[bubbletip1]

One more

 

[bubbletip1]

Last one....for now

 

[Anonymous]

It looks like you did a bang up job building that hood. I really like how you can open the front or the top. That'll make working in the tank a breeze.

Louey

 

[bubbletip1]

Thanks for the feedback!
I wanted to insure I had easy access for feeding as well as bulb replacement. The hood itself on weighs about 15 lbs! I am happy with the out come.

 

[johndawg]

Great job! I'm in the process of designing a hood for my 75 gallon. I like the way you did the top and the front. I've seen the front with side opening doors, but not like your idea. I like it! What kind of hardware did you use? What keeps the top and front from slamming closed? Thanks!
John

 

[bubbletip1]

Thanks! I studied a lot of DIY project and took the best of all that I saw to come up with this design.

For the Lid Hardware I used safety "trunk supports", like the kind you would find in a kids toy box (you can see it on the left side of the lid on the first and third photo). I got it at Home Depot for about $5. What is nice about this is it has a set screw that lets you keep the tension as you like. So you can have the lid be as stiff or loose depending on what you speed of closure you like. It’s hard to see in the second photo but I used a “piano hinge” on the top of the lid to give me the most strength for the added weight of the lights when the lid is open.

On a 75 I would recommend one trunk support on each side. My hood is only for a 29 so one works out fine for me. IMO use all solid brass or stainless steel hardware to cut down any risk of corrosion form the salt creep.

Best of luck!

 

[Anonymous]

What kind of lumber did you use for the canopy? The finish is nice!

However, I'd use stainless only for the hardware. Brass can contaminate the tank with copper.

B

 

[bubbletip1]

I used 1x pine for the internal supports. The box itself is ½” birch veneer plywood with some trim on the outside edge of the lid (for finger hold and looks).

Good point on the brass. The only thing within the hood that is brass is the lid support. I’ll have to keep my open for a stainless model.
Thanks!