How to build your own tank hood

[Zenn]

I am trying to build tank hood out of wood clearly, but i aint too sure on somethings

Can someone give me some scematics that might help me for a basic 36 x 12 tank?

 

[clutterydrawer]

What aren't you sure of?

 

[Zenn]

Well, basically the part where it goes on top of the tank

 

[carrcn]

Just add a 1x2 around the inside edge so it can sit on the top of the tank. You can even hide the plastic top of the tank with a little moulding. Be sure to make it a touch oversized because wood will move with the seasons...With a 1x2, you'll have 3/4 of an inch on both sides to play with, so I'd make it about 1/2" too long. Hope that helps.

 

[Danno]

Also drill some holes in the hood so it doesn't mold

 

[clutterydrawer]

Here is how I made mine...


I cut a rectangle 8mm bigger than the size of the tank out of 5mm ply (this was a small tank, you might wanna use something sturdier)

The 8mm allowance was to give an edge to glue the sides onto, and an extra 3mm just to make it fit easily

I cut a 8cm deep strip lengthways off it, which i later reattached with brass (!) hinges, to make a flap for feeding etc

I made roughly 8cm deep sides for it, and in each inside corner I glued a cube of wood to make it stronger, because at each corner where the three pieces of wood met, the extra surface area of the cubes meant the sides and top were better joined together. also they hold the lid a bit higher off the tank.

then I glued it all together and gave it about 5 coats of varnish

I am aware that probably none of that made sense to anyone except me...but at least I tried.