Need help, lid for rimless with a catch

rajkovich207 · Sep 8, 2015

So on a whim today I bought a rimless tank, dimensions are 36L x 18w. He said everything he has is for sale right as I was lingering on his single radion. I asked and he told me a price I just couldn't refuse, actually I would have been an idiot if I did.

Anyways onto the topic of discussion. I need to find a way to cover the tank opening, the kicker? We have cats that like to sit on top and look at the fish...
So it would have to be able to support about a 7lbs cat.

Some of the colonies he had were huge so I know one radion is enough, but in order to get the spread of the tank he had it about 13" up. I really don't like the look of a tall canopy, and having to support my cat screen is probably out, only other thing I can think of is egg crate maybe? Just worried it would block a good portion of light and make for a weird shadow in the tank.

Any suggestions (other then getting a new tank with a rim lol) would be amazing, there's a ton of smart people on here so I'm sure someone can think of something!

rajkovich207 · Sep 8, 2015

Forgot to add the tank has 3/8" glass

rajkovich207 · Sep 9, 2015

Might be a bit long winded can't figure out how to edit. Need a strong lid for a rimless tank, suggestions?

MTWiley · Sep 9, 2015

Doesn't seem long winded, I'm just not really sure what would support your cat and not be obtrusive or cause strange lighting patterns, egg crate isn't that expensive so it might be worth a try, but aside from a tall canopy (which I agree that a canopy tall enough to keep your lights 13" off the water wouldn't exactly be ideal) I'm not really sure what else to suggest.

ReeferJohn408 · Sep 9, 2015

We have the same tank measurement. We had a custom clear glass lid done from the local window glass seller. It's neat and strong.

rajkovich207 · Sep 9, 2015

Do you just have it sitting on the rim of the tank? Or is it set down in it with some sort of clip?
The cats jump up there so if it could slide off that wouldn't do.

ReeferJohn408 · Sep 9, 2015

rajkovich207 said:
Do you just have it sitting on the rim of the tank? Or is it set down in it with some sort of clip?
The cats jump up there so if it could slide off that wouldn't do.

I have them sitting ON the tank, precisely measured. Let me post a pic.

ReeferJohn408 · Sep 9, 2015

I am doing a daily maintenance today so I have the middle glass panel removed.

ReeferJohn408 · Sep 9, 2015

I have them taped with a clear tape so it won't move. You won't notice the tape. I have at least 8-10 tapes all over the tank.

Very sturdy. We have no cats but minor Earthquake tested.

Even your 7lb cat wouldn't budge this one.

rajkovich207 · Sep 9, 2015

That's not a bad idea, maybe a but annoying any time I need to get into the tank.
http://aquariaguru.com/product/repl...-rimless-frameless-glass-aquarium-top-1-pack/
Found these so I might just get a bunch.
Also thinking about the plastic strip on the back of aqueon glass canopies. I found just that for sale so I could even get a standard top and get a few extra of those and cut them down to be used instead of the clips

ReeferJohn408 · Sep 9, 2015

rajkovich207 said:
That's not a bad idea, maybe a but annoying any time I need to get into the tank.
http://aquariaguru.com/product/repl...-rimless-frameless-glass-aquarium-top-1-pack/
Found these so I might just get a bunch.
Also thinking about the plastic strip on the back of aqueon glass canopies. I found just that for sale so I could even get a standard top and get a few extra of those and cut them down to be used instead of the clips