Before I post the final pictures and the video I've decided to post the rest of the build first. Its all about the anticipation.

55 gallon custom canopy process.


4 pieces of glass cut. 23 1/4in x 5 3/8in from Aces Hardware for only $12 w/ tax! (Its says quantity 1, but it was actually 4.)


4 bare pieces laid out before sanding.


Here I have marked where I plan on drilling the holes.


Outlined with Play-Doh to keep water on the hole saw while cutting.
Play-doh: $2


Diamond coated hole saw 7 piece set. 11-25mm. Ebay - $14
I've never drilled glass before so this will be my very first attempt.
I discovered that the 25mm would not be big enough to pass all the wires through so I had to buy a 40mm one as well from Amazon. $5.55
40mm=1.5in. This hole was big enough to allow the Lights in Flights bulky wires to pass through as well as the large water pump plug in.

During the drilling process I very easily drilled the 11mm holes that I'm making to hang the vines from.. BUT the 40mm is a whole other story... I think it was a combination of me drilling to close to the edge of the glass and my pushing too hard that ended up breaking both pieces of glass!! Good thing I had two more left of the exact same size.

So I managed to get all of the holes drilled in the two remaining pieces, thank god. The key is to be slow and steady. I would highly recommend having a hose moving flowing water over the glass holes while they're being cut.
The 2 more glass pieces at Aces cost me $8 this time. I definitely got hooked up the first time.


So I thought of something creative to cover these 1.5in holes in the top glass.
I bought these (3) computer grommets from Aces Hardware. A whopping $4.57 each with the caps.


Grommets inserted in holes.


While the glass is sitting on the top of the tank the background is too high in some places so I had to cut the grommets down to fit.
A Dremel can be a vivarium builders best friend.


Camouflaged with silicone and peat moss.


Front opening lid pieces with 'living hinge' attached. I got the living hinge from USPlastics.com - 6ft for $9


To allow the living hinge to lie flat along the edges of the tank with the glass it is necessary to cut the bottom end portion of each side as shown. One is cut, the other is not. (I kind of butchered the first one, but touched it up with sandpaper.)


Picture of the screws I use for the vines/roots.


Glass top afixed and siliconed in place with aquarium sealant. GE II clear silicone would've worked just as well.


Picture of the grommets in place. Very clean look to the whole top imo.

Final touches and final photos coming very soon.