Need acrylic lids made quickly.. Recommendations?

Mike N · Oct 17, 2017

So, we're getting real close to finished with our 450g office build.
One of the final things on the list (which should have been initiated weeks ago) is ordering acrylic lids for the tank.
I am absolutely blown away by the look of the artfully acrylic lids, but there are so many threads of people saying they don't communicate well and delivery takes months.
I was wondering if there was a vendor someone could recommend that will do a good job and have a quick turnaround time.

Thanks in advance!

Reefrookie220 · Oct 17, 2017

@cromag08 make some great ones.

FugeTown · Oct 17, 2017

Personally I like topless ;Woot

nautical_nathaniel · Oct 17, 2017

You're likely going to need to find someone with a big enough laser cutter than can handle making the larger panels a 450 gallon would need. Honestly though it may be cheaper to get the material yourself and shape and cut it to the dimensions you need and then add things like screens or feeding holes. It gives you a lot of flexibility in the manufacturing process too in case you figure out that you need holes or something in a certain place after the fact. Acrylic is fairly manageable and you can use basic saws and drill bits to cut it into the shapes you want.

Tyler Caviness · Oct 17, 2017

Reefrookie220 said:
@cromag08 make some great ones.

The one he made me arrives Thursday. Great communication. I emailed for a quote 9/24 (a Sunday). Heard back almost immediately. I Paid him that day. So a little over three weeks total time

Rick Krejci · Oct 17, 2017

Tyler Caviness said:
The one he made me arrives Thursday. Great communication. I emailed for a quote 9/24 (a Sunday). Heard back almost immediately. I Paid him that day. So a little over three weeks total time

Ordered mine from him on 9/17, supposed to arrive on 10/20, so a little over a month. Still faster (and much better communication) than artfully acrylic, although I'm not sure what size either can handle.

Mike N · Oct 17, 2017

Thanks a lot for the recommendations guys.
Since we need to get this done quickly, DIY might be the best option.
Probably won't be pretty, but will not be seen, so no worries lol

cracker · Oct 17, 2017

how about a temporary egg crate until You can take time & find what you want ?

cromag27 · Oct 17, 2017

I quote 3-4 weeks, but I've had a few take just over four weeks if I run out of netting. On the flipside, if someone orders at the right time I can produce a two week turnaround.

pdxmonkeyboy · Oct 18, 2017

this is a very simple DIY project really. I would advise against acrylic and use polycarbonate instead. acrylic really likes to bend out of shape when placed between lights and water.

Katrina71 · Oct 18, 2017

+1 on @cromag08 work. You will be amazed at the quality!

ca1ore · Oct 18, 2017

pdxmonkeyboy said:
this is a very simple DIY project really. I would advise against acrylic and use polycarbonate instead. acrylic really likes to bend out of shape when placed between lights and water.

Fully agree. All my acrylic lids end up looking like boomarangs; PC ones stay nice and flat.

cromag27 · Oct 18, 2017

Acrylic absorbs too much water.

BigHildy53 · Oct 18, 2017

Is there a type of polycarbonate better than another for aquarium use? Is the stuff at HD/Lowe's good enough?

cromag27 · Oct 18, 2017

Yes, and no.

BigHildy53 said:
Is there a type of polycarbonate better than another for aquarium use? Is the stuff at HD/Lowe's good enough?

pdxmonkeyboy · Oct 19, 2017

cromag08 said:
Yes, and no.

call tapp plastics and ask then for help. then buy the material somewhere else because tapp is RIDICULOUSLY over priced.

Ftrain576 · Oct 19, 2017

Hey cromag08 what a coincidence. After placing my order with you I come here to check out this thread. Was just about to recommend you guys and post your info. Thanks for your timely response. (Rtay96).
SCA 66.