Smithjm5 Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 Alright so here's the deal I need a top for my tank because I've had fish jump out and I don't wan to keep losing fish this way... The problem is I have no idea how to make a top for this tank, it's rimless and on top of that I have lily pipes and an auto top off all sticking out of it. I've tried acrylic but within a few hours it's bowing and in the water so that's out. I've tried making one out of the brs screen kit but You cant make cutouts for the ato and lily pipes, and I emailed pico aquariums to see if they could cut me out a glass lid with the cutouts for everything but Chris said that he wouldn't be able to because the cutouts would weaken the glass and it would break. So I'm completely lost on how to do this. I know i'm going to need something custom but I don't know where to go with this. So basically I'm asking for help, if anyone out there wants to attempt to make me a custom lid for this thing i'm more than willing to pay for it! Or if you have any ideas that could help me out i'd really appreciate it! Thanks! I forgot, heres a pic if it helps.. Link to comment
Dramad1 Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 How about using some egg crate. ?just an idea? You could cut it to fit around your ato and lily pipes, may cut down your lighting. Link to comment
Admonition Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 Have you tried egg crate? You could cut it out where you'd need to for the stuff sticking out. Link to comment
Smithjm5 Posted June 10, 2014 Author Share Posted June 10, 2014 How about using some egg crate. ?just an idea? You could cut it to fit around your ato and lily pipes, may cut down your lighting. That's not a bad idea, but i'd prefer something a little more appealing looking and i'm not sure how much light it would cut out. That would be a good last resort though, i'll definitely keep it in mind! Thanks! Anymore ideas? Link to comment
Dramad1 Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 Thicker acrylic to prevent bowing. I also have the lid that came off my cad 34g tank, not sure how big your tank is but you could have it if you want to pay the shipping. Its glass so not sure how well it would ship. Dimensions are 29"x10 3/4" with the front corners cut at an angle about 2". Or you could just get a piece of glass cut just a lil bigger than tank top and let it over hang, not sure how you would get it around the lily pipes or ato. Link to comment
Smithjm5 Posted June 10, 2014 Author Share Posted June 10, 2014 Thicker acrylic to prevent bowing. I also have the lid that came off my cad 34g tank, not sure how big your tank is but you could have it if you want to pay the shipping. Its glass so not sure how well it would ship. Dimensions are 29"x10 3/4" with the front corners cut at an angle about 2". Or you could just get a piece of glass cut just a lil bigger than tank top and let it over hang, not sure how you would get it around the lily pipes or ato. I've used 1/4" acrylic to make one before and it still bowed within the hour. Thanks for the offer but it wouldn't fit, and like you said i'd still have to find away around the ato and lily pipes. Link to comment
paulrw Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 egg crate, paint it black with Krylon fusion, call it a day. Link to comment
Smithjm5 Posted June 10, 2014 Author Share Posted June 10, 2014 Like I said the egg crates gonna be a last resort, but for now I think I found an idea that might work, I still have the acrylic lid I tried before that I already made cut outs for the pipes and ato, So i'm gonna attempt to cut out the center of that and leave a 1 1/2" lip all the way around and then attach netting to the center, kinda like this but with netting, I found it on an old post here. I just drew up an outline for it and will give it a shot in the morning and let you guys know how it goes, thanks for the ideas. Link to comment
Dramad1 Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 Great idea plus you will still have the open top. Link to comment
Smithjm5 Posted June 10, 2014 Author Share Posted June 10, 2014 Alright so I just finished up... and let me tell you cutting acrylic with a jigsaw is a pain in the a$$$$$$! haha anyway it's not nearly as nice as the one above but it's functional and I like it haha. Link to comment
jamesck_00 Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 Looks good to me. All that matters is that you are happy with it. Link to comment
Smithjm5 Posted June 11, 2014 Author Share Posted June 11, 2014 Looks good to me. All that matters is that you are happy with it. Yep that's all that matters at the end of the day. I can tell you I was not happy when I was cutting that thing out haha! Link to comment
Admonition Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 Where did you get the sheet of acrylic? I'm looking to make minor alterations to my own tank and need a little bit Link to comment
Smithjm5 Posted June 11, 2014 Author Share Posted June 11, 2014 Where did you get the sheet of acrylic? I'm looking to make minor alterations to my own tank and need a little bit I think I ordered it from tap plastics online. The hardware store has it too, but they have real flimsy thin pieces Link to comment
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