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

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

 

Great idea I have not seen that before.

Have you thought about putting any reflection material on the molding. I guess it might creep out of the seams, not sure though.

Sure can not beat the cost.

Thank you for sharing.

 

Only one person likes my hood idea! lol

 

i have a 72 bow front and hate the wood canopys but also hate the light that sneaks out from a raised light ! wow this is a great idea! i think im going to jack your idea on this one!

 

Very creative and it looks great to me!! ;D

 

I have 80 gallon bowfront, I will try your idea..very good work !!

 

I think I will have to still your idea as well. I am setting up a 40 breeder, and I don't fill like building a hood for it right now lol. Thanks for sharing. I'm big on diy projects.

 

Is something wrong with this thread? I have tried both online and through the Taptalk app and the pictures aren't loading.

 

I dont see any pictures