How to Modify Aquarium Hoods
Aquarium hoods are designed to force light into the water, prevent rapid evaporation by recirculating the water back into the tank and keep the tank inhabitants where they belong: in the tank. When you purchase a tank, it usually comes with a hood designed to do all three. Often these tanks must be modified to allow for room additional filters and plumbing needs.
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Things You'll Need
- 12-inch ruler
- Marker
- Coping saw or reciprocating saw
- Cardboard
- Scissors
- Medium file
Instructions
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1
Place your tank hood onto a piece of cardboard and trace it with a marker. Cut the shape of the hood out with a pair of scissors and test fit the cardboard template to the top of the tank. It should lay on top of the tank just as the hood would.
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2
Hang all of the filters and plumbing on the back of the tank in the location it will be once the hood is modified. It's important to make sure everything is in place because the modifications on the hood cannot be corrected once cut.
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3
Trace an outline in the cardboard that will allow for about one-eight of an inch of clearance around each object hanging off of the tank. Cut the outline out. You will be keeping the portion of the template that would be in the back of the tank.
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4
Place the template on top of the base of the hood and trace it with a marker. With a coping saw or a reciprocating saw, cut the plastic base of the hood. Carefully follow the line that you drew to ensure the cut is as close to the edge as possible
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5
Lightly smooth the plastic on the hood with a medium file. Test-fit the hood and make any clearance adjustments as needed.
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