Here is a very simple and low-cost lighting canopy suitable for any straight fronted tank. It is designed to use common household materials and takes just a couple of hours to make.
The design was done in a bit of a hurry this afternoon, so I think I should expand a little on the details:
the top panel should be split roughly 1/3, 2/3 to make the access flap. You may wish to put a reinforcing batten on the inside front edge of the back section to take the screws for the hinges and similar on the back of the front section. This will give a better fixing for the screws and avoid any sharp points showing through.
I haven't mentioned wire/tubing access into the tank. This is simply a matter of cutting a slot in the back panel large enough for the wires/tubes to slide into as the lid slots onto the tank.
Another refinement for the lights is to use a 300 gramme coffee jar. When you fix the light fitting to the back panel, simply fix it through the lid of the jar, then when you have inserted the bulb, screw the jar over the top. It forms a really good waterproof cover for the lighting. there is no reason why a florescent light cannot be fitted instead, but this has been designed with bottom end cost in mind. If you have the lighting unit, just fit that outside the canopy and run the wires through for the tube ends, get some spring clips and screw them onto the back to hold the tube in place and it's done.
I didn't mention the way the wiring should run either. the best way is to drill holes through the back panel and run the wiring externally from fitting to fitting. It is easier to waterproof and much tidier. The switch can be a surface mounted light switch or an inline toggle switch similar to most table lamps. the latter is easier to fit, since it just runs straight from the first light.
If the canopy is very long, you may need to put some corner blocks along the back-to-top panel joint to ensure that it all stays secure. you may also need a reinforcing batten inside the front panel to avoid any warping.
The design is basic and can be adapted, altered and changed to suit almost any tank. It's up to the individual to work out what is best for their own use.
It is also possible to split the lid in half, making two access panels rather than one, but this is where the job gets more complicated, so that's something you can ask about if you want to make it work that way.
do you know if i can get those little corkscrew style fluorescent lights (shaped like light bulbs with the screw-in connection) that will grow plants or should i just used normal tube lights to have a planted tank under a DIY hood? Lee
I have several types of lighting on my tanks and I have built canopies with both standard and florescent lights. Plants will grow best with strong light, but a lightly planted tank will work very well with standard lighting. The rule of thumb is 2 watts per gallon for heavily planted and light-demanding plants, one watt per gallon for low light and lightly planted.
One of the advantages of the new generation low energy bulbs is the output far exceeds the traditional style bulb. An 18w LE will give 100w of light! It is also close to natural light, which plants love.
The corkscrew bulbs you refer to are a variation on the ones I use and give the same type of light, so I see no reason for them not to function perfectly.
Now; I know absolutely nothing about lighting (wattage, fixings, volts, kelvins etc.). I have no idea how to wire everything, though I'm sure my dad will be able to help...
So it'd be great if you could tell me the exact sort of light fittings and bulbs etc. (using your low-cost method ) you would recommend for my 160L lightly planted tank, and maybe show me a photo of the inside of one of your hoods, with fittings etc.? My dad wants to know what sort of light fittings we'd need. Also, how do you seal the light fittings with silicone, ie. which parts? The coffee jar sounds like an awesome idea Do you think I could just use coffee jars and save the cost of silicone sealant?
here is a picture of the fitting I use. They are about £2.50 each in the local hardware stores. I could go into lengthy details as to how to wire them up, but I'm sure your dad will be able to do that for you.
The bulbs I use are low energy phillips bulbs, available from netto, Lidl and Aldi for less than £1 each. You have the choice of 14w or 18w, which is 60watt or 100watt equivelent.
the second picture shows the light itself.
The coffee jar is a very effective way of protecting your lights and yes, it can be used instead of sealant. Just be sure to find a glass jar that is big enough to take the fitting and bulb. The fitting I use fits into the lid of a 300 gramme coffee jar, not a problem, since I drink a lot of coffee! (Your dad might be able to come up with an alternative light fitting that will fit into a 200 gramme jar instead.)
Point to note: I don't use this method myself, since all of my canopies are built into a long run and I have used removable splash guards to diffuse and protect the wiring above. I offer this suggestion because I have used it in the past with great success.
ahhh I'm so glad you let me in on this secret someone said you couldn't use the corkscrew lights to grow plants i just want some anacharis for my different little buddies to feed on at random Ive got a 14w bulb and a fixture like you show wirings no problem will it still pass its growing effects thru glass could i make this light into a lamp at one end of my tank? thanks Lee
Is this possible to do if the tank has hang on back power filters? I'm not looking to add lights, just a canopy. I've got a 55 gallon tank with 2 lights/tops and 2 power filters going, and I was thinking of adding a canopy to dress up the tank a little. Would these plans work for it?
Is this possible to do if the tank has hang on back power filters? I'm not looking to add lights, just a canopy. I've got a 55 gallon tank with 2 lights/tops and 2 power filters going, and I was thinking of adding a canopy to dress up the tank a little. Would these plans work for it?
He mentioned that this would work with a HOB filter, you just need to cut a opening in the back for it. You might have to make the top taller at the least to be able to fit the lights under it.
I'm going to try and make a hood like this for my 55 gal and will post pictures once I finish it.
He mentioned that this would work with a HOB filter, you just need to cut a opening in the back for it. You might have to make the top taller at the least to be able to fit the lights under it.
I'm going to try and make a hood like this for my 55 gal and will post pictures once I finish it.
Well, here it is. I just finished one the other day for my 55 gal. When I got the 55 gal it came with two smaller tank hoods that sat on screens to provide lighting. It was pretty bad looking so I built this. Thanks for the design timandkaren.
All in all the cost was pretty low:
About 3/4 of a sheet of plywood - $0 - Got it for free from a friend.
Couple feet of 2X4 - $0 - Free from the same friend.
21 Screws to connect the wood - $0 - Left overs from a previous project.
4 Hinges - $8
Box of 100 Screws for hinges - $4 - Used 24, 6 in each hinge.
Gallon of Oops paint - $5 - Only need a quart of it.
2 double sided Light sockets - $0 - Used from hoods that came with tank.
4 CFL 14watt - $9
Total Spent - $26
If I had to buy everything I would guess that the plywood would cost $20 a sheet, a 2x4 $6, longer screws $6, and light sockets and wires $20, totaling $78. This is a high estimate and leaves you with leftover paint, screws and some wood.
i am doing something similar but with pine ( going to make a pine stand also) for my 55 gallon.i am putting two 4 foot ,two 2 foot and 2 blue led lights .the 4" lights are aquarium and plant lights the 2" are white lights the blue for night time on three timers.will post apic when completed.( i bit cold right now to work in the garage to stain and clear coat it dont want to do it in the house)
Well, here it is. I just finished one the other day for my 55 gal. When I got the 55 gal it came with two smaller tank hoods that sat on screens to provide lighting. It was pretty bad looking so I built this. Thanks for the design timandkaren.
All in all the cost was pretty low:
About 3/4 of a sheet of plywood - $0 - Got it for free from a friend.
Couple feet of 2X4 - $0 - Free from the same friend.
21 Screws to connect the wood - $0 - Left overs from a previous project.
4 Hinges - $8
Box of 100 Screws for hinges - $4 - Used 24, 6 in each hinge.
Gallon of Oops paint - $5 - Only need a quart of it.
2 double sided Light sockets - $0 - Used from hoods that came with tank.
4 CFL 14watt - $9
Total Spent - $26
If I had to buy everything I would guess that the plywood would cost $20 a sheet, a 2x4 $6, longer screws $6, and light sockets and wires $20, totaling $78. This is a high estimate and leaves you with leftover paint, screws and some wood.
Was it as easy to make as it looks? I've been wanting to make one, but I don't want to get into something that I wouldn't be able to do myself.
It looks great by the way!
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) you would recommend for my 160L lightly planted tank, and maybe show me a photo of the inside of one of your hoods, with fittings etc.? 
My dad wants to know what sort of light fittings we'd need. Also, how do you seal the light fittings with silicone, ie. which parts? The coffee jar sounds like an awesome idea 
Do you think I could just use coffee jars and save the cost of silicone sealant?
Very nicely done! 
