DIY canopy for 55 gal?

[FishPharmD]

Well, the wife is bugging me about the VHO fluorescence all over the room, so I guess it's time to get a canopy for my 55 long. Too expensive retail, but I can build one for less than 1/2 the price. Does anyone have some good plans for a 55 gal. canopy? I'll need at least 7 in. clearance between water surface and underside of top lid for my VHO fixture, I-T skimmer cup, etc. Does anyone have any blueprints they would email or PM me, or post? That would save me a lot of time, for sure. The tank (from outside edge) is 48" long, 12.5" deep, 20.5" tall. I want the front-door opening style. Thanks!

[new2salt2]

did you ever get any ideas for canopies? i am getting ready to build one for my 50 gal long and was wondering if you could send some blueprints my way as well.

[Drummer]

Here's a link to a DIY hood for a 55 or 75 gal tank. I just might try this myself.

http://saltaquarium.about.com/gi/dyn...2Fdiyhood.html

There's a link on the side of that page that gives you the stand plans as well.

Good luck !

Bill

[FishPharmD]

Never did find any plans....I ended up buying one off of eBay from a custom builder, and it was nice.....but I had to modify it so that my VHO hood would fit. Build this one and save yourself a whole lot of money. Those plans don't seem to tough...just make sure to make some precision cuts.

[Bamm Bamm]

I'm building two canopies for my 55 and my girlfriends 55 I'll post pics when i'm done. There easy to build if you have the tools

[garretts77]

Never did find any plans....I ended up buying one off of eBay from a custom builder, and it was nice.....but I had to modify it so that my VHO hood would fit. Build this one and save yourself a whole lot of money. Those plans don't seem to tough...just make sure to make some precision cuts.

I know this thread is old news but do you (or anybody else) still have plans for a 55 canopy and/or stand? I built one about three years ago with a hand saw and a hand drill and it came out pretty good, but it is really a simple design. The only problem with it is I made it out of a soft wood (pine) and the lid portion is bowed a bit from humidity.

I plan on making a new stand so I can fit a sump, and a new top to match it. I just recently aquired a radial arm saw so this next one will look much more professional, but I wanted something a little more... well... just a little more.

Any help is appreciated.

[Key Of David]

I don't have a lot to add to this thread accept that maybe you could coat the inside of the canopy with some epoxy to seal out the humidity so that the wood isn't affected.