If you’ve never had fish before as a pet, and you’ve always had a cat or a dog, chances are that you think that fish are going to be easy to care for. After all, you don’t have to walk them, you don’t have to clean their litter box, and they don’t make a lot of noise. Compared to dogs and cats, and probably smaller furry animals like rats, gerbils, and Guinea pigs, they are easy to care for, right? Well, yes, and no.
Indeed, you don’t have to walk them and they take up less space. However, they’ll need the right kind of equipment to keep them safe and healthy. One of the most important pieces of equipment, besides the tank, of course, is the hood.
If you have never had fish before, we know how it can be hard to find the right hood for your tank, since there are so many from which to choose. That’s why we’ve created this buying guide, to show you our favorites and give you some advice on buying the right one.
When you’re looking for a new hood for your aquarium, this Marineland LED Fish Aquarium Light Hood is the one that gets our top recommendation. This domed hood has a sleek design that will securely hold the mounted light bar. This LED light bathes your fish and aquarium in your choice of a blue or white glow. Available in three sizes, it can fit most aquariums and has cutouts in the hood to accommodate many different filters. Finally, it features a hinged design to make it easy to clean and maintain.
Our favorite aspect of this hood and the main reason we chose it as our #1 pick is its sleek and simple design. It has all the necessary features but simply looks better than the rest.
Pros
Available in 3 sizes to fit most standard aquariums
We realize that not everyone has $60 to spend on a hood for their aquarium, and that is why we have included the H2Pro Glass Canopy Aquarium Hood in our list. We consider this to be the best aquarium hood for the money. This canopy is made from tempered glass of the highest quality and has a very clear appearance. It will greatly reduce evaporation and keep your fish from jumping and getting out of the aquarium.
The H2Pro is compatible with the majority of fish tanks and features a back strip made of vinyl you can trim so it fits your aquarium. It also includes double-sided tape and two handles that make it easy to lift. The main reason it’s not our top pick is that it doesn’t include a light. It also doesn’t look as cool.
Pros
Fits most aquariums
Comes with double-sided tape
Is affordable
Reduces evaporation
Strip can be trimmed to fit your needs
Made from tempered glass
Cons
Does not include light
3. Zoo Med Reptisun Led Uvb Terrarium Hood – Premium Choice
When we were looking for a hood for our terrarium, this is another one that caught our eye. The Zoo Med Reptisun Led UVB Terrarium Hood has a modular design that makes it easy to replace or swap out the LED panels. With adjustable rails, it’s easy to fit them into many different sizes of tanks, which makes them perfect for when you know you’ll be changing between tanks. It also includes a kit so that you can suspend your hood. This hood will provide beautiful, bright light to your amphibian or reptile while helping to promote the growth of plants and the natural behaviors of your pet.
This hood is made more for terrariums rather than aquariums, and it’s a bit more expensive than our top pick, which may be off-putting for some readers.
Pros
Can be suspended using the included kit
Easy to change or replace LED panels
Can be easily fitted into many tank sizes due to adjustable rails.
Promotes growth of plants
Promotes natural behaviors of amphibians and reptiles
We are huge fans of Tetras, and when we decided to purchase some for our home, we started looking for the right hood for our tank. This Tetra LED Aquarium Hood is the one that stood out the most to us. It’s energy-efficient and gives a beautiful shimmery look that our fish love. It’s also very durable and affordable, which was a huge plus for our wallets. With a sleek, hinged design, it makes cleaning quick and simple. Coming with two sets of clips, it can be fitted to tanks of different sizes, and it also has many cutouts, so you can fit just about any filter size in it. finally, it features a feeding hole and a hinged lid for easy and quick access.
When we were looking for a hood for our glass aquarium, this is one that stood out to us. This Aqueon AAG21248 Fluorescent Deluxe Hood. This hood’s custom made so that it sits on your aquarium frame’s’ inside lip, which reduces your evaporation greatly. It also can fit all major aquarium brands, so you don’t have to worry about if it will fit your aquarium or not. Finally, it comes with a reflector made of aluminum and three tubes, 15 watts each.
Pros
Made to fit all major aquarium brands
Comes with 3 15-watt tubes
Comes with a reflector made of aluminum
Made so it fits on your aquarium frame’s inside lip
Cons
May be a bit expensive for some people
Buyer’s Guide – Choosing the Best Aquarium Hood
Why Aquarium Covers are Important
Aquarium covers or lids have a few important purposes. The biggest purpose that they serve is to keep your fish from leaping out of your aquarium. They also stop things from falling in and stops other pets from getting in as well. They reduce evaporation because they seal the aquarium’s top. If you don’t have a lid on your aquarium, you will need to frequently add water to the aquarium. Your room will be a lot more humid. Finally, lids usually will include barriers between the water and its light fixture, which can help keep the fish safe and clean.
Below we are going to look at the different types of aquarium lids and what they offer.
Types of Aquarium Covers
Glass
Lids made of glass are usually the most versatile, effective, and durable kind of cover. They will fit snugly to help prevent evaporation, they’re very easy to clean and they’re much more durable when compared with plastic. They are generally somewhat more costly when compared with a plastic hood. However, their benefits outweigh this expense and make it worth it.
When you are purchasing a lid made of glass, check to see if the back strip lets you make customized cutouts for your accessories like filters and other items. These are generally made of vinyl and you can cut them using your utility knife or scissors.
The majority of glass lids come with two panes of glass that are connected at the center with a hinge made of plastic. They usually don’t come with lighting. Adding some lighting will require a fixture like a strip light that’s compatible with your glass cover.
Hood
The hood is what typically covers your lighting fixture. This also may include a lid made of plastic to cover your aquarium’s stop. A single hood which will cover your aquarium and holds your light usually will be more affordable than buying a separate lighting unit and lid
Lids made of plastic have a few disadvantages. Generally, they don’t fit as well as a glass lid, so the water in your tank evaporates more quickly. They also will often become brittle as time goes by and they’re not as sturdy as glass.
Canopy
Even though some vendors and manufacturers call lids made of glass canopies, the majority of aquarium enthusiasts think of canopies as decorative tops that give their tank a cover and houses at least one light.
A canopy is often made from wood that complements or matches the material on an aquarium stand. They’re not thought to be necessary and they can often be costly. Many times, their cost matches or exceeds the price of the aquarium. However, they can provide a built-in, finished look that will make your aquarium blend in well with your room’s décor or highlight the gorgeous underwater scene behind the aquarium’s glass.
Aquarium Hood FAQs
1. Should I have a plastic or wood hood?
What kind of material you choose for your hood will depend on your aquarium type and whether you wish to have a unit with lighting included. Glass will be more durable, easier to keep clean, and versatile when compared with plastic. However, it’s harder to set up. Lids made of plastic are lighter and simpler to fit. They usually also include lighting, in a fitting that is custom-built, so it’s easier for you to set up.
2. How do I Choose the Right Size of Hood?
When you are choosing your hood, you want to make sure you get the right size. So, you want to carefully measure your tank. You’ll need your tank’s width and length, but it will also be helpful to know your glass’s width. This will help you check it against your hood based on the way it will sit on your aquarium. After you have your measurements, check the dimensions against the instructions of the manufacturer on any hood you’re considering.
3. Can Equipment be Fitted with Hoods?
In general, things like an automatic fish feeder can be fitted with hoods. But it’s important to select a hood that has the right cutouts. So, check the hood carefully before you make a purchase. If worst comes to worst, you can always contact the seller with any questions.
4. If I Have Plants in My Tank, Can I Use a Hood?
Yes, you can use a hood even if you have plants in your tank. But you should also make sure that there is ample light so that they survive. The best choice is to find one that includes LED lighting. You also can choose one that you can add lighting to it.
5. Why is My Hood Heating Up in the Daytime?
Throughout the day, especially during the summer, your aquarium’s temperature can rise. As the heat rises, your hood’s temperature can also rise. Lighting also can make your hood to become hot. If it gets warmer than what’s safe and comfortable for the fish, open your hood’s door or hatch to increase the airflow. This is going to reduce the aquarium’s temperature and let your hood cool down. If there’s no doo in your hood, you can remove it but you should keep an eye on your fish and aquarium when it’s off.
Conclusion
We sincerely hope that our reviews and information that we have provided here has helped you with finding the right hood for your fish tank. In our experience, the Marineland LED Fish Aquarium Light Hood is the best hood overall and will provide your fish what they need to survive and thrive. If you are looking for a more affordable model, the H2Pro Glass Canopy Aquarium Hood will give you the best hood for your money.
Thank you for taking the time to read our guide and please check back for more helpful guides for your fish and your pets and caring for them the best way that you can.
Nicole is the proud mom of 3 rescue fur babies, Baby, a Burmese cat; Rosa, a New Zealand Huntaway; and Mac, a Lab/Mastiff. A Canadian expat, Nicole now lives on a lush forest property with her Kiwi husband and new baby daughter in New Zealand. She has a strong love for all animals of all shapes and sizes (and particularly loves a good interspecies friendship) and wants to share her animal knowledge and other experts' knowledge with pet lovers across the globe....Read more
