How to Make a Wood Canopy for a Fish Tank

An aquarium canopy can limit access to an aquarium while providing additional surface area to store related supplies. Canopies can be constructed from wood to accommodate aquariums of different sizes and can be customized to include top and side access.

Things You'll Need

  • Measuring tape
  • Pencil
  • Circular saw
  • 3/4-inch plywood
  • 1- by 1-inch lumber
  • Drill
  • 1 1/2-inch wood screws
  • 1/2-inch wood screws
  • 1/2-inch hinges (4)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure the length of your tank. Add 1 1/2 inches to the measurement. Measure, mark and cut two pieces of 3/4-inch plywood to correspond with your calculation. The width of the pieces should be 4 inches. These are the front and back of your canopy.

    • 2

      Divide the length of your tank in half. Measure, mark and cut two pieces of 1- by 1-inch lumber to correspond with this measurement.

    • 3

      Position the two pieces cut in Step 1 horizontally in front of you. Measure and mark 1 inch from the bottom of each piece. Center the pieces cut in Step 2 horizontally on the piece directly above the 1-inch mark on the boards from Step 1. Secure the pieces together with 1 1/2-inch wood screws at each end.

    • 4

      Measure the width of your tank. Measure, mark and cut two pieces of 3/4-inch plywood to correspond with your calculation. The width of these pieces should be 4 inches. These are the left and right side of your canopy.

    • 5

      Divide the width of your tank in half. Measure, mark and cut two pieces of 1- by 1-inch lumber to correspond with this measurement.

    • 6

      Position the left and ride side horizontally in front of you. The boards should be flat on their 4 inch side. Measure and mark 1 inch from the bottom, long edge of each piece. Center the pieces cut in Step 5 horizontally on the right and left side directly above the 1-inch marks. Secure the pieces together with 1 1/2-inch wood screws at each end.

    • 7

      Arrange the front, back, left and ride side together to form a box. The 1-inch lumber should be in the interior of the box and positioned toward the bottom. The right and left side should be positioned between the edges of the front and back of your box.

    • 8

      Secure the four pieces of the rectangle together using 1-inch wood screws at the top and bottom of all four corners. This is the base of your canopy.

    • 9

      Add 1 1/2 inches to the width measurement of your tank. Divide this measurement by three. This is the width of your canopy cover boards. Add 1 1/2 inches to the length measurement of your tank. This is the length of your canopy cover boards. Measure, mark and cut three corresponding pieces of 3/4-inch plywood.

    • 10

      Lay all three canopy cover boards on a flat surface in front of you so that their length aligns. Prepare to join two of the boards together with a pair of hinges, one at each end of the boards, 1 inch from the ends. The hinges should be on top, so they form a "V" shape when opened. Secure the hinges to the boards using 1/2-inch wood screws.

    • 11

      Flip the two boards over. Attach the third board with hinges using the instructions from Step 10. When folding, your canopy cover should form a "Z" shape, and the three boards should lie atop one another when fully folded.

    • 12

      Align the bottom board of the folded canopy cover to the back of the canopy base. Unfold the canopy cover and attach only the farthest board -- the bottom leg of the "Z" -- to the back of the canopy base using 1 1/2-inch wood screws.