DIY Bow Front Aquarium Canopy

A canopy for a bow front aquarium adds character to an already luxurious aquarium as well as making the aquarium appear as exquisite as the walls, furniture and other decor of the room. A homemade canopy of plywood can be set on top of aquariums made of either glass or acrylic. Creating the curve in the bow front can be a challenge, but the process is easy to follow.

  1. Curved Lid and Bow Front

    • Cut a curved lid out of a piece of plywood according to the dimensions of the top of your bow front aquarium. Bend another piece of plywood that is 5/8 inch thick or less around the curve of the lid to measure how long the bow front should be. Double-check this length against your aquarium to ensure it is the proper size. Use a skill saw to cut this piece out of the plywood and soak it in water to become flexible enough to be bowed outward without cracking or splintering.

    Lid Hinges

    • Place the lid on top of the aquarium and mark the point where the lid begins to curve. This will be the location of the hinges. Use a skill saw to cut away the curved part of the lid. Use three hinges to reattach the curve to the lid; one hinge near each side of the lid and one hinge in the middle. Set the outer two hinges no more than three inches away from each side. Insert the hinge screws into place. Attach a handle onto the center of the lid using wood screws.

    Canopy Frame

    • Cut plywood pieces for the sides and the back of your canopy according to the dimensions of your bow front aquarium. Each piece should be a little bit longer than these dimensions so the canopy will fit over the top of the aquarium. Apply glue to the plywood pieces for the sides and the back of the canopy and attach them using wood screws. This is the canopy frame. Apply glue to the top of each side piece and the rear brace and set the lid on top. Use wood screws to attach the lid to the side pieces and the rear brace. Glue and screw small rectangular rods to the interior sides of the frame to support the canopy as it sets over the aquarium. Position the rectangular rods near enough to the bottom of the sides so there will adequate clearance between the surface of the water and the bottom of the lid to accommodate your aquarium lights.

    Attach the Bow Front

    • Drill pilot holes into each side of the bow front where it will attach to the side pieces of the canopy frame. Apply glue to the ends of each side piece and set one end of the bow front against one side of the canopy frame. With the bow front still moist from being soaked in water, attach one end to the canopy frame using wood screws. Bend the bow front to its proper shape as you attach it to the other end of the canopy frame. Use a towel to dry the excess water from the bow front. Allow the bow front to set in place until it is completely dry so it acquires the proper shape.

    Inside the Lid

    • Paint the inside of the lid white using a nontoxic paint to allow greater light reflection within the aquarium. Attach light bulb clips to the inside of the lid. Set the light bulbs and the prewired waterproof end caps in place on the inside of the lid.