Glass vs Acrylic for aquarium lid

[rfarson]

I have a 55 gallon aquarium and the glass lid is kind of a hassle. It is a Fish only with live rock aquarium. I've seen a few acrylic lids - does acrylic allow better light penetration and offer any other benefits?

 

[Gitsoe]

I remember hearing somewhere that glass is like 80 something percent clear while acrylic is 97 or 98 percent clear. or something like that!

 

[mainereefer]

acrylic is great until it gets dirty. with the calcium that is going to stick to the lid it is easier to clean glass. once the acrylic gets scratched from cleaning it has a haze and wont let light threw as well
personally I like glass so much easier to just scrape with a razor blade and it wont warp

 

[gar732]

I vote neither, get the clear mesh from BRS and make a screen lid. It's easy to make and the best option IMHO.

 

[cdness]

Yeah if you need a lid, go with the screen lid from BRS. It will allow much more light to get through and still allow for the O2 exchange with the surface agitation.

 

[WrasseSandwich]

Another vote for the screen, easy to make, doesn't get as dirty as the glass or acrylic and easy to spray off with the hose to clean

 

[Troylee]

Screen all the way... Glass is heavy and bulky and acrylic will warp like who dun it!! Both block light and gasses like mentioned.... Mesh is the only way to go..

 

[rfarson]

Brs?

I vote neither, get the clear mesh from BRS and make a screen lid. It's easy to make and the best option IMHO.

Thanks! Who is BRS? (I'm new)

 

[boehm742]

It is a vendor Bulk Reef Supply. I have there mesh over my tank as well.

 

[Troylee]

Here is the link to bulk reef supply "brs" you need that mesh... You will need to go to home depot or lowes etc and buy a window screen frame with the 4 corner pieces ad make a frame to fit your tank... Once you done that you put the mesh in there instead of window screen and your golden... I'm sure there is YouTube videos and plenty of threads showing how to make one if you need help... Or just ask here I'll be more than glad to help....
Clear 1/4" Screen Netting 6.5' x 2.5' - English

 

[Troylee]

Oh I forgot search diy mesh aquarium lid or covers... Diy = do it yourself..

 

[rfarson]

thanks, i'll try that!

Thanks I'll give that a try!