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shmaz
Guest
want to build a canopy for my 75g tank that currently has T5 lighting. Anyone have a good design for doing this. Never attempted it before but really want to give the tank a smoother look.
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lilredwuck
Guest
When I built the canopy for my tank, I wanted them to match and look like they were built at the same time for each other. I pretty much assembled it, made it using the same material and stain as the stand. Luckily, I was refinishing the stand at the same time. I used 1x lumber from 1x2 Naughty (knotty, lol) pine to 1x8 pine. I would suggest using a pocket screw jig, makes everything clean and tight looking without the nail holes. Also I would use carpenter's wood glue, or gorrila glue. I actually used both. I used a lot of other stuff as well. Make sure you clamp the wood together before you screw it together or it WILL move on you when it tightens up. Just put 2 pieces of wood between what you are working on and the clamp. It'll keep from leaving indentions and marks. I used if I remember correctly; dewalt 18 volt cordless drill, 12" dewalt miter box, couple of portable work benches to keep me off the ground. Dewalt random orbital sander, Dewalt square sander, various grits of sand paper, pocket hole jig from Home Depot that came with screws, More pocket hole screws from Lowe's as HD didn't sell them! Makes no since, but oh well. I got the hole plugs at lowe's as well. Took a minute to find the screws, plugs, replacement bits, as they have their own section in the tools department, as they are not with the screws. Craig jig is the same thing, name brand as well. I just bought my jig for 20. You will also need a couple replacement drill bits for the screws, as they are like a foot long, square headed. I also used a small pancake compressor, 16 guage nail gun, coping saw, pencil, brain, Polyshades stain. Polyurethane and stain together, and Minwax Wood Pre-conditioner, a metal square, straight edge, philips head screwdriver for the hinge screws, 18 gauge finish nailer to make doors, elmers stainable (yeah right) wood filler. I think that is it. There are lots of plans out there for them, you'd just have to look. I went with my own design as it is what I ultimatly liked. Some are very simple, as 1x6 sides with plywood on the top and hinges in the back. I used 1x2 on the inside to make the "lip" where the canopy would sit on the tank.
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lilredwuck
Guest
Also remember to fill in or protect the screw heads to keep the salt water moisture out. I just filled the holes with a little gorilla glue, then mixed wood glue and sawdust together and filled it the rest of the way. Then on some I covered with 1x2 as well. Just another idea I guess. I know I am always so long winded. Sometimes details are the key!
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shmaz
Guest
WOW that is very nice. Thanks for you tips as I will use them. My plan is to get started in a couple of weeks. Once again thanks and nice job
aquaknight
Active Member
Should give you an idea how I built mine. Basically furniture grade plywood (the expensive stuff at home depot). The front is made of 2 long strips, with 4 vertical pieces. Those are held together by 4 more strips on the back side, which also act as the support for the canopy. Nailed to the side panels, then the top piece is added, then a bunch of trim. Wood fillered the nail holes, and stained.
Looking at it now, the top piece could be hinged if you wanted.
Looking at it now, the top piece could be hinged if you wanted.
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shmaz
Guest
Once again very nice. Two great designs to go off of. Thanks for the help.
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lilredwuck
Guest
I haven't started the canopy for this tank yet, but I plan on doing the same thing I did last time. I am going to make it from same material and model it off the stand. The stand is 3/4" Bir ch Plywood and Bi rch edging. Besides carpenter glue and gorilla glue. Pocket hole drilled as well. Ok so the top back I ran out of plywood so I used a piece of MDF. I know, I know....I can be cheap! It looks like this.
I also used cabinet hinges from HD. They sell a template with a forstner bit, which is needed to drill the holes. But NO visible hinges on outside!!!!
This is the underneath side of it. I added corner bracing as well as cross bracing. I used the plywood scraps for the bracing. Oh almost forget. The left and right rounded corners on the outside is 3/4 x 3/4" Stain grade quarter round, or base shoe
I also used cabinet hinges from HD. They sell a template with a forstner bit, which is needed to drill the holes. But NO visible hinges on outside!!!!
This is the underneath side of it. I added corner bracing as well as cross bracing. I used the plywood scraps for the bracing. Oh almost forget. The left and right rounded corners on the outside is 3/4 x 3/4" Stain grade quarter round, or base shoe