DIY : Hood

[Projekt107]

hi guys its me again.  8)

for my 20 gallon tank, i've been posting on what to do for better lighting. well it all comes down to this. i plan on making my own wooden hood so i can put a PC fixture on it.  

does anyone have any ideas on how to make a hood for my 20 gallon? plans.. sketches\drawings.. etc?

is there any alternatives i should look into before making this hood?   i've had suggestions on getting those glass covers and putting some type of fixture over it.... but then again how will that work?  will the lighting fixture just sit on top of the glass?? hehe im sorry guys, im the type of person that wont see the whole picture.. until the WHOLE picture is shown to me  :-X ;D  

im doing all this so i can get at least 55+watts for my planted tank. i currently only have 18watts  n2*  any ideas? suggestions? thanks  

[dattack]

Get retro fit PCs.  All you have to do is screw the reflector to the hood and you are set.  Takes a total of 5 minutes.  Don't use a glass cover or your tank could get really hot.

Get your retrofit power compacts at www.hellolights.com and just screw it on to your wood canopy.



http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2197&highlight= hood

http://www.saltreef.com/projects/aqhood.htm

http://www.ahsupply.com/diy.htm

[Projekt107]

will that work on my current hood? i have those plastic hoods.



thats the hood i have.. and so far i dont know what i can fit on there... thats y i wanted to make a wooden hood =\ but if i can find something i can use to add on to my current hood... that would be so much better

[aznpanther98]

the retrofit lights might fit into ur plastic hood but from what i know they might be limited to small pc lights but good thing abot a diy hood is several u can make it open back and that'll help with the heat problem in pc bulbs, looks nicer (if u know what ur doing) and always a good project to do i made a canopy or my 20 gal and it looks prety good wish i could show ya some pics but no digi cam or scanner but what i did was make it open back with the front of the canopy hinged so i can open the front for feeding and watnot and the top is just a couple of boards spaced 1" apart looks pretty good i used wood screws and patched the screws up with wood putty i had leftover when we installed hardwood floors now i just need to get it stained, right now it's just got a 18" lightstrip attached in the canopy but if i plan to turn it into a plant tank i can always add lots of lights just make sure u make the canopy tall enough so if u need to reach ur hand into the tank for work makes it easier to do

[Projekt107]

ya.. im going to make my own hood... it does sound like a good project.... anyone have any other tips they'd like to share bout this project? thnx u guys