Just wanted to share my DIY Lids!

[CierraBeckwith]

I used polycarbonate sheets and polycarbonate netting, acrylic screws, and a jigsaw! And super happy with how they turned out

 

[ryanjohn1]

Look as good as the company’s making them! Well done!

 

[CierraBeckwith]

Look as good as the company’s making them! Well done!

Thank you!!! That's what I was trying to do! It's definitely not perfect but I'm happy with them

 

[ryanjohn1]

Thank you!!! That's what I was trying to do! It's definitely not perfect but I'm happy with them

Looks better than my kraken honestly

 

[ShakeyGizzard]

Awesome, you just fixed one of my questions on that topic

 

[Srfnhooker]

DOPE. I may try. detailed instructions, pics? How much did it cost for materials? What kind of blade for jig saw?

 

[CierraBeckwith]

DOPE. I may try. detailed instructions, pics? How much did it cost for materials? What kind of blade for jig saw?

It was my first time ever doing anything like this so I was nervous but it was way easier than I thought. Also my first time using a jigsaw haha ‍ but I got most of the stuff off Amazon, I used 1/4 inch thick polycarbonate, and the one I bought had a grid with lines on the back for easier cutting. I can post a link if you want. And the netting was also from Amazon too! I used a hand tap for the holes for the screws and then acrylic screws! I used a T101B blade with the jigsaw, and as far as materials cost wise, the screws were under 6 bucks, and the polycarbonate was 39 (the brand I bought is Robosource from Amazon) and I was able to get all three lids out of the 24x24 sheet, but cost wise that will vary depending on how big someone's tank is. For my 40 gal lids I also bought some acrylic clips (12.99) because there's no lip for the lid to sit on, like there is on my biocube. I did lots of research on what to use, and I can come back and report in a few months if I see any bowing but from my understanding the polycarbonate at 1/4 inch thick should hold up against that. Oh and I used a hand sander to soften the edges so like overall for the three lids I spent like about 60 bucks, give or take

 

[fishguy242]

@rmorris_14

 

[CasperOe]

You've done very well indeed, you could start selling these

 

[mfinn]

Very nice.
I love diy projects that turn out well.

 

[OutColdCRNA]

Did you attaché the netting to the lid with the screws? Just screw through the mesh?

 

[JTP424]

Very solid, highly recommend writing up a thorough "how to" for us who wish to replicate this awesomeness!

 

[Troylee]

Great job! I make tons of these.. I’d invest in a router if you wanna make it really fast and super clean! They’re simple to do and takes about a hour. I encourage everyone to diy I love it! Haha..

 

[msloan21]

Very nice!!

 

[OutColdCRNA]

Great job! I make tons of these.. I’d invest in a router if you wanna make it really fast and super clean! They’re simple to do and takes about a hour. I encourage everyone to diy I love it! Haha..

What router bit do you use to cut?

 

[Troylee]

What router bit do you use to cut?

These work perfect for cutting and grooving out the splines.

 

[exnisstech]

I wonder if a small router bit could be used to cut a groove then use screen spline to hold the mesh in place? I may need to try making one of these for my reefer 300. I have a router table but need to look into a guide like @Troylee has.
EDIT @Troylee appears to be reading my mind lol

 

[Troylee]

I wonder if a small router bit could be used to cut a groove then use screen spline to hold the mesh in place? I may need to try making one of these for my reefer 300. I have a router table but need to look into a guide like @Troylee has.
EDIT @Troylee appears to be reading my mind lol

1/8” bit above and 3/32 window spline works perfect. I like to drag a razor blade or knife down the groove to take the sharp edges off “or a piece of sand paper” it helps when installing the mesh and keeps it from cutting the mesh when installing it.

 

[bradreef]

Where is the diy video on this? These look great.

 

[exnisstech]

1/8” bit above and 3/32 window spline works perfect. I like to drag a razor blade or knife down the groove to take the sharp edges off “or a piece of sand paper” it helps when installing the mesh and keeps it from cutting the mesh when installing it.

It looks like you machine /cut the edges so the lids rests on the tank and doesn't slide off. Can you share the bit you use for that purpose?