DIY acrylic lid?

[rja]

Hey all,
Doing a 30C pico build:

gonna try to make my own lid: (it wont look like this exactly. Gonna actually be a 1/4” thick 12x12” clear acrylic lid with an orange acrylic (3mm thick) frame around it about an inch in thickness. Also adding a barb for the ATO.

QUESTION: how bad will it warp at 1/4” plus 3mm? Gonna use acrylic cement

 

[T-J]

How are you going to handle heat build up with the top being totally sealed? Also, the acrylic will become covered in salt and water, obstructing some of your lighting.

 

[Top_Lids]

All acrylic will Earp pretty bad unless it's ultra thick. In our testing 1/4" won't be enough. We have an acrylic lid on a tank we're selling at my place and it's ultra thick and doesn't bow. For most people though cutting through and buying a sheet of this thick of acrylic material isn't that realistic. Very cool idea with the barb and orange accent bar though.

(This lid isn't one that we make at Top Lids, just one that came from this tank)

 

[SteveMM62Reef]

Get an 1/8” back strip and 1/8” Hinge. Aquarium Glass Top Clips, to match your tanks glass thickness. Should be able to purchase all from Amazon or eBay. With Measurements in hand, hinge and back strip cut to width. Go to your Locally Owned Glass Shop, and get a proper top made. Also you’ll need a handle. Either Glue a Large Marble on the top, with Silicone Cement, or order an Aqueon Handle. BTW, the idea it will greatly cut down on your Tanks Par, has been proven wrong again and again. Even with a dirty top.

 

[Top_Lids]

Get an 1/8” back strip and 1/8” Hinge. Aquarium Glass Top Clips, to match your tanks glass thickness. Should be able to purchase all from Amazon or eBay. With Measurements in hand, hinge and back strip cut to width. Go to your Locally Owned Glass Shop, and get a proper top made. Also you’ll need a handle. Either Glue a Large Marble on the top, with Silicone Cement, or order an Aqueon Handle. BTW, the idea it will greatly cut down on your Tanks Par, has been proven wrong again and again. Even with a dirty top.

Generally will lose about 10% PAR through a glass top. Most hobbyists nowadays have adjustable LED lights, so turning up the intensity 2-3% usually fixes that