mother ship complete lol with pics^^

I want to build a canopy for my 72g bow front I just dont know what to start tho im not really good at wood working

 

In my opinion, if you're not very good at wood working or experienced with it, a bow front is not where you want to get experience. I would recommend buying one to save the frustration and the time---there will be a lot of both. I have built two canopies in the last 6 months for a 20 and 55 gallon and they were both very time consuming and full of errors (that I have now learned from).

Getting the radius on the frame (assuming you go with one) and skin will be a PITA, imo. The biggest question when starting one is what design you want. Do you want a door? One that lifts open from above? One that doesn't open at all? Then you have to ask, whar dimensions are you looking for- high profile? Low profile? What thickness and type of wood you want to work with, keeping in mind that you will need to form a radius. Or, do you want to go with a more boxy look and have the front look like one side of a stop sign?

After construction you will want to do a nice sanding, stain/paint/epoxy coat.

 

Ik but it seems they dont make them any more and I cant find any for sell.

 

True. Well any ideas on what you're looking for?

 

Search youtube for "building a bow front canopy". There is a series there by a 3reefer for a 46g BF canopy build. It takes some doing, but with patience and motivation, you can do it!

 

Any DIY is possible with the proper tools. You won't need a fully equipped wood-shop but there are some necessities.

Here's a link I found for you to check out..
http://www.3reef.com/forums/i-made/72-gallong-bow-front-canopy-131765.html

 

Wow, not very good with wood & you gotta make a complicated one too. Double check your measurements before you cut. Deff check YouTube videos. Good luck.

 

I have built a few canopies. They came out beautiful, but they were rectangle. I tried to help my neighbor build one for her 46 bow. As stated above, whole different ball game. I think that from what you have said, purchasing one would be the right option. Just keep looking on craigslist and such. You will find the right one eventually.

 

I'm going to try but I will do a cheap one first then if it comes out good ill do a nicer one

 

Some advice:

Plan everything first. i.e. design and measurements. Make drawings.

Measure twice, cut once. Don't move too quickly, take your time and think through to the next step before nailing. Make sure you're cutting on the correct side of the line, otherwise you'll come out a 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch short.

If your staining, use a high quality wood and make sure you sand with a very fine grit to finish, otherwise you'll see the sanding scratches under thew stain.

Wipe glue off the of wood immediately, it won't stain well. Use a stainable and matching wood putty to patch holes, otherwise you see the contrast through the stain.

Good luck.