Custom lids without spending hundreds?

[nopenotpeter]

Hey everyone!

I have a 29gal Aqueon tank which is my main display, along with a NP K7 v3 light. I had the Aqueon glass lid with the ginormous black hinge which is blocking a decent amount of light directly in the center of the tank. I felt as though not enough light was getting through that lid, as it's nearly impossible to keep clean from the salt water. I like the idea of the mesh lids, though I'm a bit nervous how I'd approach making a custom one.

Only having a 29 gallon tank, I don't have a sump. I have a HOB filter as well as the bracket for my light, and a HOB protein skimmer. While it's not the most visually appealing, it's my first saltwater tank so I'll go a lot more "all out" with the larger one once I have a better hand on what I'm doing.

Due to those various HOB appliances, I'd have to make the lid myself to maintain the cutouts. What would you recommend? I'll need a kit with a decent size cutout. I think I can get away with 6x 90 degree angle frames, though I have no idea where to look for a quality kit that doesn't cost $100+.

Additional note: I tried running lidless as all my fish were out of the tank being treated for ick. I'm putting them back in, so I have to have some form of a lid on it. I also noticed that when I ran it without a lid, the water evaporated so much faster than I had anticipated which caused my salinity to spike sadly killing my crab and shrimp. Will I see that same level of evaporation with more of a mesh/screen lid?

 

[Slocke]

Hey everyone!

I have a 29gal Aqueon tank which is my main display, along with a NP K7 v3 light. I had the Aqueon glass lid with the ginormous black hinge which is blocking a decent amount of light directly in the center of the tank. I felt as though not enough light was getting through that lid, as it's nearly impossible to keep clean from the salt water. I like the idea of the mesh lids, though I'm a bit nervous how I'd approach making a custom one.

Only having a 29 gallon tank, I don't have a sump. I have a HOB filter as well as the bracket for my light, and a HOB protein skimmer. While it's not the most visually appealing, it's my first saltwater tank so I'll go a lot more "all out" with the larger one once I have a better hand on what I'm doing.

Due to those various HOB appliances, I'd have to make the lid myself to maintain the cutouts. What would you recommend? I'll need a kit with a decent size cutout. I think I can get away with 6x 90 degree angle frames, though I have no idea where to look for a quality kit that doesn't cost $100+.

Additional note: I tried running lidless as all my fish were out of the tank being treated for ick. I'm putting them back in, so I have to have some form of a lid on it. I also noticed that when I ran it without a lid, the water evaporated so much faster than I had anticipated which caused my salinity to spike sadly killing my crab and shrimp. Will I see that same level of evaporation with more of a mesh/screen lid?

You can get a DIY kit and then some extra corners from Bulk reef supply though I believe you can get everything you need from a hardware store for much cheaper. All you need is the screen lengths, corners, a plastic mesh, and a roller. https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/sumps-tanks-refugiums/diy-screen-tops.html
I’d guess 50$ from BRS half that from hardware store If you can find everything.

But yes once you switch from glass to mesh you will have to maintain salinity somehow. The evaporation is much higher. Obviously the best solution is an auto top off (ATO).
Though that would add another thing to your tank and they aren’t cheap.

 

[MoshJosh]

I use clear corrugated plastic cut to specific shape, I haven’t noticed a lot of salt buildup, and, at least from what I’ve read, they should actually let more light through than glass.

If you’re looking for a more open lid/breathable lid, I would give egg crate light diffuser a try. Use wire or plastic snips and cut it to shape

 

[nopenotpeter]

Thank you both for your quick replies!

You can get a DIY kit and then some extra corners from Bulk reef supply though I believe you can get everything you need from a hardware store for much cheaper. All you need is the screen lengths, corners, a plastic mesh, and a roller. https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/sumps-tanks-refugiums/diy-screen-tops.html
I’d guess 50$ from BRS half that from hardware store If you can find everything.

But yes once you switch from glass to mesh you will have to maintain salinity somehow. The evaporation is much higher. Obviously the best solution is an auto top off (ATO).
Though that would add another thing to your tank and they aren’t cheap.

Yeah I was looking at those, it's not really that far off price was what MoshJosh recommended. I feel like right now I have HOB everything, and that would be a pretty significant cost because I clearly couldn't manage it when I didn't have a lid.

I use clear corrugated plastic cut to specific shape, I haven’t noticed a lot of salt buildup, and, at least from what I’ve read, they should actually let more light through than glass.

If you’re looking for a more open lid/breathable lid, I would give egg crate light diffuser a try. Use wire or plastic snips and cut it to shape

Do you have an example of what you bought? Seeing all different sizes and it looks like a lot of them are more opaque than they are clear which I just want to make sure I'm getting as much light through as possible.

 

[MoshJosh]

Sorry, not corrugated, twin wall polycarbonate.

can buy sheets at Home Depot but will probably only have 8’ X 4’ sheets, still less than $100. Or can look on Amazon or eBay for sellers offering smaller sheets.

LEXAN Thermoclear 48 in. x 96 in. x 1/4 in. (6mm) Clear Multiwall Polycarbonate Sheet PCTW4896-6MMCL - The Home Depot

Versatile Polycarbonate multi-wall sheet can be relied upon to deliver high quality, low maintenance glazing that is built to last. Easy to use by homeowners and contractors alike this product is a great

www.homedepot.com

Egg crate You can usually buy at Home Depot, but I can’t find it on their website. It’s just that plastic white grid, I think they usually use it in office lights in the ceiling

 

[HB AL]

I bought 4 thin pieces of plexiglass at Ace for Cheap, clear and can be cut easily for cords and such.

 

[jmichaelh7]

Home Depot has the window frame kit. You can buy the mesh on BRS . Easy to cut and modify to your length.

 

[nopenotpeter]

Sorry, not corrugated, twin wall polycarbonate.

can buy sheets at Home Depot but will probably only have 8’ X 4’ sheets, still less than $100. Or can look on Amazon or eBay for sellers offering smaller sheets.

LEXAN Thermoclear 48 in. x 96 in. x 1/4 in. (6mm) Clear Multiwall Polycarbonate Sheet PCTW4896-6MMCL - The Home Depot

Versatile Polycarbonate multi-wall sheet can be relied upon to deliver high quality, low maintenance glazing that is built to last. Easy to use by homeowners and contractors alike this product is a great

www.homedepot.com

Egg crate You can usually buy at Home Depot, but I can’t find it on their website. It’s just that plastic white grid, I think they usually use it in office lights in the ceiling

I found this which looks to be what I'm looking for, right?
What would you use to cut it?

I bought 4 thin pieces of plexiglass at Ace for Cheap, clear and can be cut easily for cords and such.

This is something else I'm looking at. The crappy part is I don't have a jigsaw, though maybe this would be an excuse to buy one.

 

[MoshJosh]

I found this which looks to be what I'm looking for, right?
What would you use to cut it?


This is something else I'm looking at. The crappy part is I don't have a jigsaw, though maybe this would be an excuse to buy one.

Yeah that looks right. For the most accurate cuts possible I like to use a table saw where possible then a razor/exacto knife for the other cuts. You can Make long cuts with a razor easily if going with the lines, just have to cut on both sides/walls. But when using a razor to cut against the lines it’s a bit trickier, as you have to cut both walls and the pieces of plastic in between the sheets. Use a ruler or straight edge, go slow, be careful, and be safe!!!

 

[MoshJosh]

Home Depot has the window frame kit. You can buy the mesh on BRS . Easy to cut and modify to your length.

I’ve heard this is a good route if you want an “open” top! Definitely worth a shot if that’s what you’re going for.

 

[jmichaelh7]

I’ve heard this is a good route if you want an “open” top! Definitely worth a shot if that’s what you’re going for.

$15 vs $500

but more corals with the savings

 

[Chrisv.]

I recently replaced my home Depot window kit + BRS mesh diy lid with a lid from kraken reef and I have to tell you, I REALLY like the new lid. It's much much nicer than the one I made myself.

Hard to justify buying the kraken lid, which was 5 x the cost of the diy-- but they asked what I wanted for father's day and for once I had an answer.

 

[nopenotpeter]

Yeah that looks right. For the most accurate cuts possible I like to use a table saw where possible then a razor/exacto knife for the other cuts. You can Make long cuts with a razor easily if going with the lines, just have to cut on both sides/walls. But when using a razor to cut against the lines it’s a bit trickier, as you have to cut both walls and the pieces of plastic in between the sheets. Use a ruler or straight edge, go slow, be careful, and be safe!!!

Alright I bit the bullet and picked up a sheet off of Amazon. Like 36" x 24" which should be just enough for me. I do have a table saw so I can make my big cuts with that Hopefully it helps out and then I don't have to worry about tons of evaporation.

Thanks to everyone else for your feedback and ideas!

 

[MoshJosh]

Here’s some examples of how I accommodate equipment. Just added the cuts for the skimmer today, took about 15 minutes.

keep in mind the blade height on your tablesaw, mine was pretty low when I made some cuts and you can see the top cuts are a bit shorter than the bottom.

 

[nopenotpeter]

Yeah that looks right. For the most accurate cuts possible I like to use a table saw where possible then a razor/exacto knife for the other cuts. You can Make long cuts with a razor easily if going with the lines, just have to cut on both sides/walls. But when using a razor to cut against the lines it’s a bit trickier, as you have to cut both walls and the pieces of plastic in between the sheets. Use a ruler or straight edge, go slow, be careful, and be safe!!!

Just as an update, this was delivered on Saturday. Got it cut today and it’s working like a charm! Finally no black hinge cutting out the light in the center of the dang tank. I cut it with my table saw, is it pretty? No. But it serves its purpose!

Seriously everyone, thanks so much for your feedback!