A Small Hood..
- Thread starter fifefish
- Start date
SuperColey1
Planted Section
You only asked for plans. lol
This is what it looks like:
AC
OP
OP
fifefish
Fish Herder
how do it stay on the edge of the tank?
SuperColey1
Planted Section
Blocks 1.5" from the bottom in all 4 corners plus 1 in the centre of the rear for good luck.
The dimensions are in this post. Just swap your tank outer dimensions for the dimensions in the post. This hood cost about £25 in all to make (precut wood, yacht varnish for inside, wood dye/stain for outside, screws, hinges)
http
/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=264450AC
OP
OP
fifefish
Fish Herder
thanks..
im going to make a top section out of plexiglass.
im going to make a top section out of plexiglass.
Dorkhedeos
Boss Major
Depending on your lighting, it might warp.
OP
OP
fifefish
Fish Herder
its fine i have metal sheilding..
Blocks 1.5" from the bottom in all 4 corners plus 1 in the centre of the rear for good luck.
The dimensions are in this post. Just swap your tank outer dimensions for the dimensions in the post. This hood cost about £25 in all to make (precut wood, yacht varnish for inside, wood dye/stain for outside, screws, hinges)
<a href="http
AC
interested in posts like these cos i'm looking to make a new hood for my tank, if using it for a planted tank though could you not paint it white inside instead of just varnish, thinking you'd get more out of your lights thats all !!!
excuse my ignorance aswell but whats that bolted to the back of the hood ?
wendywc
Rocking a crabshell for a hat.
interested in posts like these cos i'm looking to make a new hood for my tank, if using it for a planted tank though could you not paint it white inside instead of just varnish, thinking you'd get more out of your lights thats all !!!
excuse my ignorance aswell but whats that bolted to the back of the hood ?
I would think painting the inside white wouldn't matter or would be very little effect since reflectors are used and they surround the tubes pretty well. But maybe I'm wrong? And I think that's the ballast that's bolted outside.
OP
OP
fifefish
Fish Herder
thnx for the idea..
its my project for a weekend..
its my project for a weekend..
SuperColey1
Planted Section
as the poster said. Why paint it white?
1 - I would have to pay for a non toxic white paint that was also waterproof whereas yacht varnish is non toxic, even more waterproof then exterior paint whilst at the same time easily available and cheap
2 - The reflectors are reflecting all the light so it doesn't matter what colour the hood interior is.
The unit bolted to the back is an 18W electronic ballast which is powering the 18W T8 tube. The T5 has its own ballast within its reflector as it is a stand alone unit. In effect the T5 is a plug and play light.
AC
1 - I would have to pay for a non toxic white paint that was also waterproof whereas yacht varnish is non toxic, even more waterproof then exterior paint whilst at the same time easily available and cheap
2 - The reflectors are reflecting all the light so it doesn't matter what colour the hood interior is.
The unit bolted to the back is an 18W electronic ballast which is powering the 18W T8 tube. The T5 has its own ballast within its reflector as it is a stand alone unit. In effect the T5 is a plug and play light.
AC
OP
OP
fifefish
Fish Herder
what if i laminate the inside of the hood?
bobross
Fish Crazy
Those hood plans should be pinned on here. They are very helpful.
BobRoss
--thanks again SuperColey1
BobRoss
--thanks again SuperColey1
SuperColey1
Planted Section
laminate as in attach another surface to the wood?
You have to think of the effect of the water on the wood surface here. If left unvarnished then the water (evaporation and condensation) would eventually rot the hood.
By varnishing the whole of the inside (including screws and mounting blocks) you effectively seal the whole of the inside and therefore only need to wipe off the odd bit of fungus algae every now and again.
If you attach another surface then there will be a gap (however minute) between the wood and the laminate in your case and there will be a build up of moisture behind it. You would in effect be making it worse than not even varnishing it because the moisture would be trapped.
If you are after using the laminate as reflector just as I said in another article....T8 reflectors are only a fiver or so each. Whats the point of DIYing?
AC
You have to think of the effect of the water on the wood surface here. If left unvarnished then the water (evaporation and condensation) would eventually rot the hood.
By varnishing the whole of the inside (including screws and mounting blocks) you effectively seal the whole of the inside and therefore only need to wipe off the odd bit of fungus algae every now and again.
If you attach another surface then there will be a gap (however minute) between the wood and the laminate in your case and there will be a build up of moisture behind it. You would in effect be making it worse than not even varnishing it because the moisture would be trapped.
If you are after using the laminate as reflector just as I said in another article....T8 reflectors are only a fiver or so each. Whats the point of DIYing?
AC
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