Would you rest a diy hood on top of the tank?

[Pondweed]

Like the subject, just wondering if you would rest a hood on top of the tank glass? I've got a case tank so no bracing but it's only 80cm wide so not massive.

I just want a hood to reduce some light spill. I can leave the lights suspended on the rack so it won't be heavy. Can tanks generally handle some weight on the top of the glass or is this a bad move.

Hood would just be some diy out of whatever looks alright and seems light enough

 

[Sean Clark]

I used a thin self adhesive foam on mine to protect the glass but with no brace it would be tricky to set in place.

 

[spsick]

I built a number of bulky wood canopies for metal halides etc years ago on rimmed tanks with no issues.

 

[BanjoBandito]

A buddy and I break down tanks and part em out….I see lots of homemade canopies. Some good, some bad. None seem to have caused any issues with the tank structure though. I would be nervous for a rimless as there’s not much “wiggle” room on that edge.

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

I see no issues with it. Design the canopy light weight. 3/4" plywood is way overkill.

 

[mtraylor]

For sure. That is how we did it in the old days. We all built wooden canopies that rested on the aquarium for our MH and T12 fixtures.

 

[neonreef3d]

I personally don’t like the idea of anything resting on my tank no matter if it is rimless or not, which mine happens to be… I use a 3030 frame and use suspension cable to the ceiling.,,, very easy to install… couple of anchors and eye bolts, along with the suspension cable.. I will attach panels to it soon to keep the light spill in place.

 

[Pondweed]

Yea, I'm not 100% on the idea of resting on top of the tank. I'm in a rental so can't attach to the walls or ceiling (also means I can't take any risks of a leak or the tank being damaged). I have a light rail built off the bank of the stand. The only reason I want a canopy is to reduce some light spill. So maybe I can extend the light rack with a curtain type thing might be better