DIY hood
There isn't much to making a hood for a tank. This hood is simple to make as you will see.
I made the decision that I was going to use pine because it is very easy to sand and easy to stain to the desired colour. If your decor changes you can just sand it back and restain.
After ringing around a couple of wood merchants I chose to have the wood pre cut as the total price was only £15. However, make sure you ask the depth of the wood. Then go away and calculate the dimensions needed and then ring them back with what you want.
This hood is made from 6 pieces of wood. 2 sides, front panel, rear panel, top fixed panel and flap.
The wood is 20mm depth.
With the dimensions of the tank being 800mm x 350mm I decided to be a little cautious and make the internal fit of the hood 5mm all around the tank. It will be 150mm from water surface to bottom of the top section.
Therefore the front, rear and sides will all be 150mm high. The front and rear lengths will be 810mm (800 tank length plus 5mm at each end), the side lengths will be 400mm (350mm tank width plus 5mm and 20mm at each end to allow for the depth of the wood.)
Mark each of these 4 pieces Front, rear, left and right before continuing. The sides you have written on will be internal so always remember that. For your tank replace my tank dimensions with your own.
Take a ruler and a pencil and on the 2 side pieces measure 10mm from the left and right edge and draw a vertical line at each end. then measure 40mm from top and bottom of the line. With a small drill bit (2-3mm) drill through these 2 marks.
Line the back piece up with the left piece and mark through the 2 holes with a thin nail or bradawl. Using the same bit, drill as straight into these marks as you can about 35mm deep. Using 50mm length screws of a slightly wider diameter than the drill bit you used (If it is a 3mm drill bit then use 4/5mm diameter screws) attach the rear piece to the left piece. Be careful, if you use too wide a screw you risk splitting the wood.
Repeat the procedure for the front panel and finally the right panel. Make sure when marking all the holes that you line up the edges of the sides with the front and rear panels or they will not meet flush when screwed together.
Page [1] [2] [3] [4]