jumping fish

I think a good idea would be to combine a wood canopy AND the eggrate idea so that all 4 sides of the tank are covered.

Most people make a canopy that covers three faces of a tank. The front, and the two sides, leaving the back wide open for gas, wires, plumbing, etc. And sometimes they get some cooling fans blowing from the front to the back area as well.

What if you made a 3 faced canopy, meaning just a "normal" canopy, and covered the back open area with eggcrate? You could cut holes for plumbing and any big wiring areas, and not have to worry about the fish jumping out the back. We had a goby go missing, and found him behind our tank 3 days later all dried up and gone. So covering the back area of the tank would be a first priority, because if a fish jumps out the sides or front, at least you can see him and find him easily.

My .02

 

Now it is in a tropical fish forum instead of the DIY forum where it should be. It is a project for the aquarium not about tropical fish in general

 

I would not do egg crate. Been down that road to only have fish jump right through it. Those suckers can be accurate with the jumps if they want. I would do the wall suggestion. I have seen it done with acrylic and it honestly didn't look as cheesy as it sounds.

 

I like the acrilic idea. And if I do make a canopy it would have a back. You couls always remove it and do cutouts for added equipment and wiring.

 

I am planning an acrylic barrier that goes around the tank and is high enough to block light. I plan on putting a 1-2" lip on the top to hold some blue led's. I have a chiller so I dont have to worrry about fans. Who thinks acrylic would look cheesy? LOL

 

most of the hoods I have built have all been open top, with the back side covered, light spilling out the back doesn't look that great. You may have a spot in the ceiling where light spills up, but its usually a lot less noticeable.