Is it feasible to make an aquarium cover?

Aug 8

I have a 55 gallon aquarium that that was made in japan or somewhere. A friend of my mom’s gave it to us and it doesn’t have a cover/hood/canopy thing. Is there anyway I could make a cover? I wasn’t sure how or what kind of wood or what sort of lacquer.

I think what you’re looking to make is what’s termed a "canopy" - something which covers the entire top and hides your lighting. Yes, it’s possible to do this - I have!

Here’s a website which shows 4 designs (for both canopy and matching stand) in links at the bottom of the page - you may just have to adjust the size to fit your tank: http://www.aquaristsonline.com/blog/aquarium-diy/the-diy-aquarium-stand-some-resources-to-help-you/

I prefer solid wood (pine) over plywood or particleboard construction, since either of these last two can have the glue separate if it becomes wet.

How can I keep my aquarium cool in the summer?

Filed under: Aquarium Hoods

4 Responses to “Is it feasible to make an aquarium cover?”

ozziebob, on August 8th, 2009 at 6:53 am Said:

Glass would be better leave a small space open for feeding and to aerate
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Chrys, on August 8th, 2009 at 7:15 am Said:

you don’t put wood (and even lacquer around fish) for one thing they might eat it or get poisoned by it…

try some screen for a screen door/window screen. to let in air and to make sure you can feed the fish. (make sure it’s weighted, so the fish don’t jump out.)
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Shiraz, on August 8th, 2009 at 7:40 am Said:

It’s totally do-able. If you want it to look nice, you can get beveled glass cut at a glass shop to fit. If it doesn’t have to look nice, but just do the job, you can buy a cheap and thin plastic sheet to cover it. There are white plastic sheets sold at Home Depot/Lowes type stores, that cost several dollars… they’re not pretty, but do stop the evaporation, and also stop fish from jumping out.
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copperhead, on August 8th, 2009 at 8:01 am Said:

I think what you’re looking to make is what’s termed a "canopy" - something which covers the entire top and hides your lighting. Yes, it’s possible to do this - I have!

Here’s a website which shows 4 designs (for both canopy and matching stand) in links at the bottom of the page - you may just have to adjust the size to fit your tank: http://www.aquaristsonline.com/blog/aquarium-diy/the-diy-aquarium-stand-some-resources-to-help-you/

I prefer solid wood (pine) over plywood or particleboard construction, since either of these last two can have the glue separate if it becomes wet.
References :

Aquariums 2.0