40 Gallon Breeder Lid ideas

[H.garza10]

Anyone have any good lid ideas?? Just added some fish and would hate for them to jump out. Looking for an easy DIY lid to help with evaporation, fish jumping, and not block any light.

 

[SDK]

Welcome to R2R!

DIY screen lid

Hey guys I know a lot of you have made your own tops for reefs. I know brs sells kits and what not but they seem kind of pricey. Anyone ever use alternate materials. I know window screening is usually aluminum wasnt sure if you can spray paint it black to use over a tank or if you'd be...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

Welcome to R2R! You can get DIY screen kits on BRS.

 

[Peace River]

The two ideas above would be my first two recommendations. Depending on the size of your fish you may also consider egg crate lighting material.

 

[Tennyson]

If you have a dremel you can custom cut some clear plastic to size.

I personally use cut plastic and glass that I salvage from old fish tanks. For my 40 breeders I take apart old 29's and it covers most of the top. I cover the remainder with custom cut plastic. I love the clean look of glass and its much cheaper if you want to go all out DIY

 

[Peace River]

If you have a dremel you can custom cut some clear plastic to size.

I personally use cut plastic and glass that I salvage from old fish tanks. For my 40 breeders I take apart old 29's and it covers most of the top. I cover the remainder with custom cut plastic. I love the clean look of glass and its much cheaper if you want to go all out DIY

Good feedback! What Dremel tip/tool do you use to cut plastic?

 

[Tennyson]

Good feedback! What Dremel tip/tool do you use to cut plastic?

Dremel cut-off wheel. Any kind will work (sanding, metal), but it looks like they have bits specifically for cutting plastic too.

 

[Biokabe]

You can also use a router to cut down acrylic or polycarbonate, that's what I usually do. For a 40 breeder, you should be able to just get some of the cheap sheets from Home Depot or Lowes, or if there's a place like Tap Plastics nearby you can have them cut it to size. You don't have to use terribly thick sheets - 1/8" should be plenty if you're just using it for a lid. Also worth it to get some little knobs and glue them on with acrylic glue; knobs aren't necessary, but they make it easier.

Also, word from the wise - if you do decide to use plastic, use polycarbonate (Lexan) instead of acrylic (Plexiglass). Acrylic absorbs water, so over time it'll become bowed.