The amount of money that can be saved by taking some initiative and a little time is tremendous. Moreover, there is a great deal of pride is saying that you created that hood, or you build the filter system from scratch. It's a cheap ego boost that everyone could use now and then. Additionally, aside from getting the well deserved pat on the back, you get something that you know you will like, because you built it to your standards. Don't forget though, everything is learning process. You are bound to mess something up sooner or later, so don't get discouraged. All things come to those who wait (so they tell me).
All comments and questions can be E-mailed to sasala-at-itd.nrl.navy.mil. I take full responsiblity for content and blunders that may exist in the body of this text. Also, I apologize to the non-American readers, as all the measurements in the document are in inches. Remember, 1 inch = 2.54 cm.
"Documentation is like sex: when it is good, it is very, very good; and when it is bad, it is better than nothing." - Dick Brandon
Appendix B constains detailed drawings of the hood I constructed as well as dimensions for a 30 gallon tank (36" x 12 1/2"). It is one big drawing of 4 views of the hood and one suggestion for adding lamps to the hood.