Choosing the Right Aquarium Hood
Having the proper aquarium hood is an important part of creating the ideal environment for your fish. The right hood helps control lighting, maintains proper water parameters, and keeps fish from jumping out. Here's what you need to know when selecting a hood for your freshwater or saltwater aquarium.
Types of Aquarium Hoods
There are three main types of hoods to consider:
- Glass canopy - Made from glass panels that rest directly on the aquarium rim. Pros are excellent light and moisture control. Cons are heavy weight and risk of breakage.
- Acrylic canopy - Constructed from acrylic plastic. Lighter than glass but scratches easily. Often hinged for easy access.
- Mesh top - Made of plastic or metal mesh screen. Allows maximum ventilation and evaporation. Usually combined with an acrylic or plastic frame.
Hood Fit and Size
Hoods are designed to fit standard aquarium sizes like 10 gallon, 20 gallon, and 55 gallon tanks. Measure the exact length and width of your aquarium and get a hood specifically made for that size.
For rimless tanks or unusual sizes, you may need a custom or DIY hood to get an exact fit.
Aquarium Lighting
Many hoods come with built-in lighting, though you can also add lighting separately. Here are some common aquarium light types:
| Light Type | Features |
|---|---|
| LED | Energy efficient, long lasting, intense light |
| Fluorescent | Affordable, moderate light intensity |
| Halogen | Bright directional light, generates heat |
Make sure to get lighting appropriate for the types of fish and plants you want to keep.
Additional Hood Features
Some other features to look for include:
- Hinges - Allow easy access without removing the entire hood.
- Feeding doors - Provide openings to drop food into the tank.
- Splashguards - Prevent water exiting the aquarium if fish jump.
- Moonlight LEDs - Mimic nighttime conditions for fish.
Final Thoughts
Take measurements, factor in lighting needs, and look for convenient features when selecting the perfect aquarium hood. Investing in the right hood will help create a healthy habitat for your underwater pets.
Types of Aquarium Hoods
When setting up a new aquarium, one of the key components is selecting the right type of hood or canopy. The hood helps control lighting, humidity, and access to the tank. The three main options are glass, acrylic, and mesh hoods.
Glass Aquarium Hoods
Glass hoods are made from glass panels that sit directly on the rim of the aquarium. Pros:
- Provides excellent light control by blocking ambient room light
- Keeps heat and moisture from escaping
- Clear view into tank
Potential cons:
- Heavy weight can make access difficult
- Glass can shatter if dropped
- May need to be custom cut for non-standard sizes
Acrylic Aquarium Hoods
Acrylic hoods are constructed from acrylic plastic sheets. Benefits include:
- Lighter weight than glass
- Often hinged for easy lifting
- Available in standard sizes
Watch out for:
- Easily scratched
- Can warp or bend over time
- Not as clear as glass
Mesh Aquarium Hoods
Mesh hoods use a mesh screen material for maximum ventilation. Pros:
- Allows for full evaporation and gas exchange
- Prevents fish from jumping out
- Inexpensive
Cons:
- Little to no insulation from light or moisture loss
- Can corrode from moisture over time
- Minimal splash guarding
Mesh tops are often combined with an acrylic frame to get the benefits of both materials.
Final Thoughts
Glass, acrylic, and mesh hoods all have their own advantages and disadvantages. Consider your tank size, lighting needs, accessibility, and other factors when selecting the right canopy for your freshwater or saltwater aquarium.
Aquarium Hood Size and Fit
Getting an aquarium hood that properly fits your tank is crucial for maintaining the correct environment for fish. An ill-fitting canopy can affect lighting, ventilation, access, and more. Follow these tips for selecting the right size hood or canopy.
Match Hood to Standard Tank Size
Most hoods are designed for standard aquarium dimensions:
- 10 gallon - 20” x 10”
- 20 gallon - 30” x 12”
- 55 gallon - 48” x 13”
When shopping, look for a hood made specifically for your tank's gallons to ensure proper fit. This is much easier than trying to find a custom sized hood.
Measure Non-Standard Tanks
For non-standard sizes like 24 gallon longs or rimless tanks, you'll need to measure and find a custom fit:
- Measure length and width of tank in inches
- Note the exact dimensions
- Look for a hood designed for those specs
- Or have a hood custom made to fit
A tight fitting canopy prevents light leakage, evaporation, and fish jumping out.
Account for Rim Thickness
Factor in rim thickness when measuring:
- Rimless tanks - Hood sits directly on glass edges
- Plastic rimmed tanks - Rim is usually 1/2" thick
- Metal rimmed tanks - Rim can be up to 1" wide
This ensures the hood rests securely on the aquarium frame.
Leave Room for Equipment
Make sure to account for filters, heaters, and other equipment attached inside or hanging off the rear of the tank. A few extra inches can prevent the hood from bumping into equipment.
Test for Proper Fit
Once purchased, test fit the hood without water or fish. It should sit flat on the rims or edges without bowing or sagging in the center.
With an accurately measured and fitted hood, you can maintain proper lighting and other conditions for happy, healthy fish.
Aquarium Lighting Types
Proper lighting is crucial for an aquarium. Fish need light for healthy biological functions and viewing. The three main options for aquarium lighting include LED, fluorescent, and halogen lights.
LED Aquarium Lighting
LED lights use energy efficient LED bulbs. Benefits include:
- Long lasting bulbs up to 50,000 hours
- Intense light from multiple small diodes
- Compact fixtures with adjustable brightness
- Low heat output
LEDs are ideal for planted tanks and reef systems. Look for fixtures specifically designed for aquarium use with adjustable color temperature.
Fluorescent Aquarium Lighting
Fluorescent lights are affordable and come in many styles:
- Standard fluorescent - Inexpensive but bulky
- Compact fluorescent - Smaller size for hoods
- T5 high output - Bright and energy efficient
- T8 and T12 - Older tubes but still effective
Fluorescents emit moderate intensity light. Go for 6500K daylight tubes for best fish viewing.
Halogen Aquarium Lighting
Halogen lights produce bright directional light by heating a tungsten filament. Pros:
- Bright beam to penetrate deep tanks
- Compact spotlight design
- Enhances fish colors
Downsides include high electricity use, heat, and frequent bulb replacements. Use halogens sparingly to highlight focal points.
| Light Type | Wattage | Lifespan | Heat | Intensity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LED | Low | 50,000 hrs | Low | High |
| Fluorescent | Medium | 10,000 hrs | Low | Medium |
| Halogen | High | 2,000 hrs | High | High |
Pick lighting tailored to your aquarium inhabitants and setup for optimal viewing and growth.
Benefits of Amazon Prime for Buying Aquarium Hoods
An aquarium hood is an essential purchase for controlling lighting and access to your tank. When shopping for a new canopy or light fixture, Prime members can take advantage of a number of benefits through Amazon.
Free Two-Day Shipping
One of the biggest perks of an Amazon Prime membership is free two-day shipping on eligible items. This means you can order an aquarium hood on Monday and receive it by Wednesday in most cases.
With quick delivery, you don't have to wait long to get the right hood and lighting for your tank setup. No more dealing with standard 5-7 day shipping times from other retailers.
Free Release-Date Delivery
You can also get free release-date delivery on pre-ordered items with Prime. When that new high-end LED aquarium hood gets released, it can ship the day it launches and arrive at your door just two days later.
This makes it easy to get the latest aquarium gear quickly through Amazon.
Trying Before Buying
Amazon offers an extended return window where Prime members can return items up to 30 days after delivery. This gives you plenty of time to test out that new hinged glass canopy on your tank.
If it doesn't fit right or the lighting isn't quite what you expected, you can return it for free. This takes the stress out of ordering aquarium equipment online.
Access to Exclusive Deals
As a Prime member, you can take advantage of special deals and discounts only available to Prime subscribers. This includes Lightning Deals and Prime Day sales with deep discounts on popular aquarium supplies like hoods and lights.
You may be able to snag that fluorescent aquarium hood you've had your eye on for 20% off or more.
A Prime membership provides plenty of useful benefits when buying your next aquarium hood or lighting fixture. From quick free delivery to extended returns, it makes shopping for aquarium gear much easier.p>
Protect Your Fish With The Right Aquarium Hood
To protect your fish and provide them with a comfortable home, it's essential to choose the right aquarium hood. Here are some key reasons why an aquarium hood is crucial for your fish's well-being:
