Best DIY lid?

BTimms · Feb 28, 2022

Hello all.

I’m trying to cut costs and not buy an expensive kraken lid for my Fluval flex 32.5 gal. Is this a stupid decision? Should I just spend the money?
I’ve looked at polymer sheets, egg crate, making one out of plexi, etc...
What is the best DIY lid? Or should I just pull out my retirement funds and remortgage my home for a professional kid?

Thanks!

blaxsun · Feb 28, 2022

Doesn't the Flex come with a lid?

BTimms · Feb 28, 2022

blaxsun said:
Doesn't the Flex come with a lid?

It does, but it is not very good.
As well, I am using aftermarket lights, which makes the lid obsolete.

monkeyCmonkeyDo · Feb 28, 2022

I use home screen kit with black or clear 1/4" square netting.
D

monkeyCmonkeyDo · Feb 28, 2022

Ull need spline and the spline tool.
Measure tape. And a fine tooth hacksaw
D

BTimms · Feb 28, 2022

monkeyCmonkeyDo said:
I use home screen kit with black or clear 1/4" square netting.
D

Something you got at Home Depot for example?

Sean Clark · Feb 28, 2022

A diy screen from the hardware store will work fine. Maybe $20.

monkeyCmonkeyDo · Feb 28, 2022

Yes corrorect. U will make the frame from this.
D

monkeyCmonkeyDo · Feb 28, 2022

Correct* home depot. Lowes. Mclendons. Ace hardware ect.
D

blaxsun · Feb 28, 2022

BTimms said:
It does, but it is not very good.
As well, I am using aftermarket lights, which makes the lid obsolete.

Gotcha. So it's between ghetto lid or the kids have to attend community college. Well, I'd be inclined to go with some of the cheaper DIY options as the Flex isn't a really expensive tank, and to invest almost as much in a lid...

Jeeperz · Feb 28, 2022

Red Sea makes a screen top kit. A little fancier than the home Depot screen lids, but I've been happy with my home Depot designed lids. The lfs made them for me for like $20 plus materials. Don't forget the plastic holders that fit over the glass if it's rimless like mine

Poochaku · Mar 1, 2022

D+D is the best diy lid imo

trevorhiller · Mar 1, 2022

I had one of the Bulk Reef Supply DIY lids. I bought the framing from them, some neat aquatics corners and the black screen netting.

Then I went to lowes and bought the tool to install it and took it back when I was done to get my money back (shhhh!!).

I later ended up buying the Kraken lid because IMO the WaterBox Peninsula was such a nice tank and the DIY lid just wasn't up to the standard. The Kraken lid is nice, definitely worth it IMO, but I had money to spend on it--if you don't money is definitely spent better elsewhere.

EDIT: I was going to offer to send you some pieces for a DIY lid for cheap, but I just saw you're not in the US. Probably wouldn't be cost effective.

BTimms · Mar 1, 2022

Jeeperz said:
Red Sea makes a screen top kit. A little fancier than the home Depot screen lids, but I've been happy with my home Depot designed lids. The lfs made them for me for like $20 plus materials. Don't forget the plastic holders that fit over the glass if it's rimless like mine

Where did you find the plastic holders?

BTimms · Mar 1, 2022

I really appreciate you even thinking to send the pieces, very kind of you. But yeah I can find them cheap locally.

BTimms · Mar 1, 2022

Poochaku said:
D+D is the best diy lid imo

What is a D+D ?

BTimms · Mar 1, 2022

blaxsun said:
Gotcha. So it's between ghetto lid or the kids have to attend community college. Well, I'd be inclined to go with some of the cheaper DIY options as the Flex isn't a really expensive tank, and to invest almost as much in a lid...

That is exactly it. It was my first reef tank and I plan to upgrade when we move into our new home build next year. Then I will drop the $ on the good stuff.

fishface NJ · Mar 1, 2022

Auqa Gadget Screen Top Suspension Clips

Innovative Marine now offers their screen net top suspension clips separately allowing you to mount a screen net top on a rimless aquarium. Rimless tanks usually require some creative solution for suspending a screen net top without it being an eye sore. When using the clips they will let the...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

SanFernandoValleyAIOReef · Aug 24, 2024

BTimms said:
Hello all.

I’m trying to cut costs and not buy an expensive kraken lid for my Fluval flex 32.5 gal. Is this a stupid decision? Should I just spend the money?
I’ve looked at polymer sheets, egg crate, making one out of plexi, etc...
What is the best DIY lid? Or should I just pull out my retirement funds and remortgage my home for a professional kid?

Thanks!

Check out - Blue Reef tank - on YouTube he makes a nice one from basically window screen , also one my favorite reef YouTubers