Glass lid thickness
- Thread starter Miller Aquatic
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eliaslikesfish
Kinda Addicted to Anemone’s and Clowns.
I would advise against a glass top.
The glass will become covered in condensation and salt, lessening your light intensity.
It will also trap heat and reduce evaporation, allowing the tank to heat up.
Finally, it can reduce oxygen levels.
I strongly suggest a mesh top.
however, if you do decide to go with glass, 1/8 inch thickness will suffice
The glass will become covered in condensation and salt, lessening your light intensity.
It will also trap heat and reduce evaporation, allowing the tank to heat up.
Finally, it can reduce oxygen levels.
I strongly suggest a mesh top.
however, if you do decide to go with glass, 1/8 inch thickness will suffice
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Got pets that sit on top of stuff or children?
So tempered or not?
3/16" glass is standard for "Versa Top" glass hoods.
Personally I'd feel better w/ 1/4".
Glass,dirty or not (within reason) cuts about 10-15% of your light.
Dispelling the myths about glass lids on reef aquariums.
People in the hobby often repeat what they hear others say- - “Glass lids Are bad. They get dirty and block a lot of light” - “Clean glass drops PAR 10-20%. On top of that, the dirt, salt creep and humidity drops cut par an another 10-15% so you have to increase your lights every week to...
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Miller Aquatic
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I will still be having the back part of it open because it’s an Aio with skimmer and so on. I will be drilling a hole in it for a feeding cage because I thought it’d be cool. Right now I upgraded lights and I like controlling evaporation and in general I like the glass look because I clean It every other day. Would lowering my ai prime a little help with par? I’m not too worried ab par because I have mostly lps and softies.
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Miller Aquatic
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Yes i have a lot of younger siblings and a lot of pets. Which would you recommend for tempered or not ?Got pets that sit on top of stuff or children?
So tempered or not?
3/16" glass is standard for "Versa Top" glass hoods.
Personally I'd feel better w/ 1/4".
Glass,dirty or not (within reason) cuts about 10-15% of your light.
Dispelling the myths about glass lids on reef aquariums.
People in the hobby often repeat what they hear others say- - “Glass lids Are bad. They get dirty and block a lot of light” - “Clean glass drops PAR 10-20%. On top of that, the dirt, salt creep and humidity drops cut par an another 10-15% so you have to increase your lights every week to...
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Are you actually using it at 100%?
Anyways sure lowing will add par to make up for any decrease.
Changes the spread a bit..
Keep in mind 10% of 150 par leaves you 135par.
You could just as easily increase the photoperiod by 10%..(DLI)
Well first that would eliminate 1/8 glass..
For one small piece I'd have it tempered.
I will tell you it isn't a common thing done though.
Your call.
Of course it needs to be fully cut and drilled prior to tempering.
Another option that isn't exactly pretty is multi-wall polycarbonate.
More for fun..
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Malum Argenteum
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Tempered glass is stronger, allowing for a thinner piece to be used. It also doesn't send people to the hospital when it breaks. I personally would use 3/16" tempered. Keep in mind that any holes need to be drilled before it is tempered.
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Miller Aquatic
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I don’t think my glass shop would cut a specific hole for the feeding cage so I guess I will have to go with normal glass just a bit thicker. I shouldn’t have to take it off too much since I want to have a feeding hole so I think it won’t have to be too durable, but at the same time if I have to cut a hole in it I don’t have it to be flimsy. Should I try 3/16” or 1/4” or something else?
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Not much of a glass shop then....
Out of curiosity I called our glass place.
They would farm it out.
I did ask for quote but wont hear for a day or so.
So it can be done.
On line I could get a 18x18" sq piece 1/4" thick 3" hole tempered for $215
It's about $100 just for the hole.
No..AFAICT
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The problem with a solid lid is that it significantly reduces gas exchange (skimmer or not) no matter if it glass, acrylic or polycarbonate.
The reduced PAR is also something to consider but often overlooked is that that the lid will likely be covered on the underside with condensation, salt creep and eventually become extremely etched/mineral stained.
A mesh lid resolves most of these issues and if going with a custom manufacturer you may be able to request extra strength if cats or some other pets are a real issue.
Polycarbonate is not going to get soft unless you have a halide smashed up against it.
All things considered glass has better light transmittance properties than polycarbonate, but there are many factors that come into play. In any case, I would not (for reasons mentioned above) use either to cover the aquarium.
The reduced PAR is also something to consider but often overlooked is that that the lid will likely be covered on the underside with condensation, salt creep and eventually become extremely etched/mineral stained.
A mesh lid resolves most of these issues and if going with a custom manufacturer you may be able to request extra strength if cats or some other pets are a real issue.
Polycarbonate is not going to get soft unless you have a halide smashed up against it.
All things considered glass has better light transmittance properties than polycarbonate, but there are many factors that come into play. In any case, I would not (for reasons mentioned above) use either to cover the aquarium.
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Think this fits ..BUT verify.
Saving $'s wasn't part of the orig equation..
...Get clips ..add what you want. .
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Malum Argenteum
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Where did you get that quote?
One Day Glass will do an 18 x 18 tempered in 3/16" or 1/4" with a 3" hole for $67 shipped to my house. That's no edgework; add $15 for a flat polish.
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Random search..yea I knew they were over- priced.
Did not know ira Luke 3.5x more expensive than others.
3" hole btw.
Kind of odd weight
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