How to make a hood for MH?

zanoshanox

zanoshanox

Active Member
hey guys,
I am looking forward to setting the new 38 g cube tank back up. I want to have everything ready before i go for the switch over from the 20 long. I need to make a hood that will house my 250 w MH pendant and some kind of actinic setup. The tank is 18" long. I have no idea how to make one. I have no experience with woodwork but I will try to do this setup. Can anybody give me a walkthrouhg, info, tips or steps on how to make one? Any mistakes you gusy have made that you can warn me about ahead of time?
Thanks,
Shane
 
reefnut

reefnut

Active Member
If you're going to do it yourself search for canopy designs here and elsewhere. I know I've seen some diagrams here on canopies.
 
biggredd

biggredd

Member
Get some 2x1's and build a cube the size of the top of the aquarium. Get some 1/2 inch plywood, cut them to size and bolt them on the ends. Then cut another piece that can go on the front and make it removable. Put some trim around the top of all the plywood and your done. I am making mine now and should be simple. Leaving the top and back open. Will have cross braces across the top to hold my mh's to. Mine will be 16 inches tall. Shouldn't take too long if I ever get around to doing it.
 
zanoshanox

zanoshanox

Active Member
Im not sure if i will liekt he top open idea though....Couldnt i just have the back open? And like an opening door in the front?
 
biggredd

biggredd

Member
Your choice, doesn't matter either way. I prefer to have mine dissolve as much heat as possible, that and the top of my canopy is going to be over six feet high so you won't see it anyways. Depends on your application.
 
fanker

fanker

Active Member
u should diffenantly have the back open thank just take some fans from a computer and put them in. i just put one in mine sunday
 
fanker

fanker

Active Member
ya than i took an old r/c car charger and connected it to that, becayse the fan it i think DC instead of AC because the fan cant just plug into the wall
 
mag395

mag395

Member
This might help. It's a little complex, I made it as simple as I could tho. It is the type where the top opens. Before assembly, it is important to stain and polyurethane the wood to prevent warping. If you have any questions, mag395@netscape.net.
If you want to make it an "open in the front" type. Just cut holes in the front face and cover them with doors.
 
mag395

mag395

Member
The lines on the inside the black box are supports. They sit on the frame of the tank and hold the cannopy in place. The yellow box inside of the supports is just a side view of the piece of wood. All the yellow piceces are just alternate views of the pieces. The ones in the middle aren't noted because I thought it was confuse people. Keep in mind when looking at this drawing that the tank is supposed to be just inside the black box. The only piece resting on the tank are the supports.
The second picture is a close-up of the side of the cannopy viewed from the inside.

 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top