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Old 01-25-2014, 11:51 PM
SpateD SpateD is offline
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Default Clean lid for aquariums

So I have a breeding system in place... and to help keep the humidity down in the room, and less top off water, I'm looking to place a hood/lid on the tanks.

I currently have spare acrylic I had lying around, which has warped and how hardly serves it's purpose.

The thing that makes this a difficult one is that it has to be clear so the lights can still go into the tank, and my return plumbing flows overtop of the back of the tank and in. So it has to be able to cut a hole out of it.

I'd also like to have a little spot I can use for a feeding hole so I don't have to lift the entire lid every feeding.

There are 2 tanks. 20G long's. 30x12x12 I think.

I've read about clear Lexan... and was thinking about trying it, but for the price of it, I'm sceptical. It's been known to warp with heat also.

Does anyone have any other ideas?

Last edited by SpateD; 01-25-2014 at 11:57 PM.
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Old 01-26-2014, 12:23 AM
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Coasting Coasting is offline
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I have 1/4" lexan as a lid on top of mine, and yes it does bend/warp. But only mildly. More has to do with the thickness im assuming. Super easy to just take it off, give it a quick clean and just put it on upside down and let it flatten itself out.
No issues with lack of light getting through as I let mine get dirty as heck with salt, dust, pet hair, etc.
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Old 01-26-2014, 12:26 AM
SpateD SpateD is offline
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That's my current problem... I can't just flip the panel, as the holes are in certain spots for the plumbing.
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Old 01-26-2014, 12:35 AM
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my overflow runs over the top as well just as you described. Its really not the end of the world when you flip it over and the holes don't line up.
You could potentially cut another piece that fills the holes in when the piece is flipped.
I haven't actually had to flip my lexan yet, and its been on there for a few months, it does have a bit of a sag to it, but it still sits in place just fine.
When I used thinner Acrylic ( 1/8" i think) I would flip the pieces for a day, once a week, then put them back.
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Old 01-26-2014, 12:38 AM
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Heres my acrylic lids.
This is while it was flipped to get it to un sag. so you can see the return line on the right side of the tank, and the acrylic with the hole cut for it is right in the bottom left corner of the photo.

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Old 01-26-2014, 12:43 AM
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That makes sense. I may have to try Lexan first. Thank you!
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