Glass cover or acrylic cover?

CyberGuy · Feb 2, 2021

I have a small 20 gallon acrylic tank from Seaclear that has a eurobrace with an opening in the top center of about 17" X 6". I just have an acrylic panel cut to the size of 18" X 7" and just cover the opening so fish would not jump out. I also placed my Radion XR30 Gen 4 on top of the acrylic cover for lighting.

Well, I have noticed that there is a slight warping to the acrylic cover even if it is about 4 mm thick.

So my question is: Should I replace the acrylic cover with a glass cover to prevent the slight warping of the acrylic cover?

Also, can the glass crack due to condensation from the water and heat from the Radion light? The Radion is propped up on 4 legs made out of 1/2 inch pvc pipe cut to about 1.5 inch to provide underside ventilation for the Radion.

Aussiemarine · Feb 2, 2021

Put a mesh cover on instead - better light penetration and allows for better gas exchange

CyberGuy · Feb 2, 2021

I have a sump for this 20 gallon so gas exchange is sufficient fron the skimmer and return pump. I also have 2 power heads and there is a 2 inch opening in the back left Eurobrace area.

Also, the water level to the Radion fan is only about 6 inches. Using a mesh cover would allow vapor to be sucked into the Radion fan since it is a Gen 4 Pro version.

ca1ore · Feb 2, 2021

Acrylic warps which is why most competent vendors use polycarbonate for their plastic covers.

Palytoxin · Feb 20, 2021

Aussiemarine said:
Put a mesh cover on instead - better light penetration and allows for better gas exchange

May not be the best idea, I've used the mesh ones made as reptile lids, The mesh tends to rust extremely quick.

Jekyl · Feb 20, 2021

Just use egg crate. Cheap and effective

mike550 · Mar 1, 2021

I have glass lids.

fade2black · Mar 1, 2021

Palytoxin said:
May not be the best idea, I've used the mesh ones made as reptile lids, The mesh tends to rust extremely quick.

Not a metal mesh, the plastic filament mesh. Several people make these. One of them is Kraken lids, made from polycarb and a plastic mesh. Look them up, it's a veterans owned business.