72 gallon bow front hood with Nova Extreme Pro lights (DIY under $25)

[NitroViper]

First off I'm very new at big saltwater aquariums. Ive had a 55g before but never a bowfront with a raised light fixture.

Well I looked high and low for a canopy hood for my 72 bow front. I couldn't stand seeing underneath the lights, while they blind me and friends sitting on the couch looking at the tank. Especially at night when It lights up the whole living room.

I decided to look for ways to make a temporary hood, or enclosure to stop the lights from blinding everyone.

I actually came up with something that looks very decent for under $25

I went to the local home improvement store and was looking around for plastic to match the lights. I noticed some floor molding that was made from black rubber. It was flexible and easy to work with. Easy to cut and mold. I bought 15 feet at 59 cents a foot. About $9. I bought super 3M weather proof double sided tape $10 from Walmart. to attach the molding together by the rounded edges like the pic below. It worked very well. Its easy to lift the front piece to feed.

I did not cover the back for better air flow. My temps seem fine day and night.


Basically you can tell by the pictures its very easy to make.

Let me know what you guys think, good or bad :)

http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p400/n0gamez/fish/molding.jpg
http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p400/n0gamez/fish/100_3475.jpg
http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p400/n0gamez/fish/100_3506.jpg
http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p400/n0gamez/fish/100_3508.jpghttp://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p400/n0gamez/fish/100_3504.jpg
http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p400/n0gamez/fish/100_3513.jpg

[1st timer]

Welcome and not too bad. Bummer they didn't have it in brown..my trim/stand is black so will look even better on mine :)

[UnoZeus]

That is fairly impressive. I have a 36 gallon bowfront and suffer from the same problem. Luckily I found a way to fabricate a cover that works. Your looks nice, especially for 9 bucks.

[DeLucs414]

thats very impressive, i might actually do that for mine. good idea. thanks!

[NitroViper]

It still works good, It doesnt collect salt which I was worried about.

[Mr. Ice]

Ha. I made my temp enclosure from a box top that just happened to be the right size. Yours looks way nicer...