72 gallong Bow Front Canopy

Discussion in 'I made this!' started by fishy62, Mar 13, 2012.

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  1. fishy62

    fishy62 Plankton

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2012
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    Just wanted to post a thread on how to make a canopy for a 72 gallon bow front.

    I only have pictures of the finished product.

    1.) Run to home depot and buy 2 sheets of 1/2" or 3/4 thick plywood preferably a nicer wood. I used birch.

    2.) Measure the tank and cut pieces accordingly.
    - (2) Legs 13"x12"
    - (2) Shelving 48 1/4"L x 11.5" W
    - (2) 1"x2"x6"
    *Additional Step
    - I used to shelves to attach my AI lights. I router cut pockets for the lights to sit in.

    3) I glued and used trim nails to attached each piece together.

    4.) 1 1/4" x 48 1/4" piece for curve. Trace the curve on your tank and use a jig saw to cut it out.

    5.) Cut three pieces of 1"x2" at 11 1/4" length.

    6.) attached each piece of the 1x2 to the cut out curve. 1 at each corner and one in the middle. make sure you align the word with the curve or when you go bend the plywood over it you won't get a clean look.

    Thats it for now i will be bending a piece of birch 1 ply today after work and reinforce everything that might be a little loose.
     

    Attached Files:

  2. Click Here!

  3. fishy62

    fishy62 Plankton

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    Sorry i don't know why my pictures go rotated around. Also, notice the bottom of Purple up and my kids book holding up the one shelve. I am going to add a support strip either between the shelves or add a leg.
     
  4. dowtish

    dowtish Horrid Stonefish

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Nashville TN
    Do you have to build a mold in order to "curve" it?
     
  5. fishy62

    fishy62 Plankton

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    Im going to take the front end of the pieces with the curve plywood and the three legs and apply glue to the edge. Then i will take the 1 ply or whatever i decided will work and look nice and start bending it around it . I will take a clamp strap and use that to tighten the plywood.

    I might be wrong on the "clamp strap" i forgot what its called. But i will upload more picture today.
     
  6. fishy62

    fishy62 Plankton

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    Here are the latest pictures i took yesterday. If you have any questions PM me.
     

    Attached Files:

  7. fishy62

    fishy62 Plankton

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    Newest Picture and finished product.
     

    Attached Files:

  8. Click Here!

  9. tattoolew

    tattoolew Sea Dragon

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    Bluefield, VA
    Looks great really good job
     
  10. SeminoleB

    SeminoleB Coral Banded Shrimp

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2011
    Messages:
    377
    Location:
    Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
    Nice build! I'm doing a hood for my 36gal bow. I just got the LED kit and doing the diy this weekend. I plan on using 1/4" luan on a bend then adding vertical runs of pine slat that I will stain to match the stand I built.
     
  11. fishy62

    fishy62 Plankton

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    Mar 1, 2012
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    The hardest part about this build was the bottom left corner and bottom right corner of the front. They just would not bend. I am trying to come up with an idea to keep them bend with the shape of the tank. I will let you know how this goes.