DIY Aquarium Canopies

A canopy, or lid, for your aquarium provides many benefits. It offers safety and comfort to your fish. It also provides a deep lid to which you can affix lights to illuminate your tank easily and attractively. Even without lights, a canopy will enhance the aesthetic appeal of your home aquarium. With wood, a few basic tools and your aquarium, you can create an attractive canopy at home.

Things You'll Need

  • Measuring tape
  • 3/4-inch by 4-inch wood (enough to frame your aquarium)
  • Saw
  • Safety goggles
  • 3 pieces of wood, 1 inch by 1 inch, cut into 6-inch lengths
  • Large sheet of 3/4-inch thick plywood
  • Molding (enough to go around the front and sides of your aquarium)
  • 2 metal hinges
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Instructions

  1. Build an Aquarium Canopy

    • 1

      Measure your aquarium, to determine the size of the wood pieces that you will need. Measure the length and width of the tank.

    • 2

      Add 1 1/2 inches to each of your measurements. Write down these numbers.This will determine the length of the frame that will fit around the top of the tank, which will be constructed from the 3/4-inch by 4-inch wood.

    • 3

      Measure and cut the 3/4-inch by 4-inch wood, using the figures arrived at in Step 2.

    • 4

      Nail or screw your frame together, with the shorter pieces on the outside of the longer pieces. One of the long pieces, which will be at the back of the tank, should be horizontal, and the other three should sit vertically. The horizontal piece will allow for tubes and filters to pass through

    • 5

      Nail or screw the 1-inch by 1-inch square pieces to the three vertical pieces of your frame. These pieces should be placed roughly in the middle of the boards, lengthwise, 1 inch from the bottom of the frame. It is these pieces that will hold the frame, so be sure to measure that 1 inch carefully, lest your frame sit crookedly.

    • 6

      Measure your frame, add 1 inch to each dimension. Write down the numbers.

    • 7

      Using the new figure, measure and cut your plywood, to form a lid that will be slightly bigger than your frame.

    • 8

      Measure and cut the molding so that it is the same size as your lid. With small nails, affix the molding to the front and sides of the lid, flush with the top end and hanging down to prevent light leakage.

    • 9

      Attach lid to frame with hinges. Decorate or finish to your taste. Place on your aquarium.