Acrylic tank lids. Handle suggestions.

[DrownedFishonFire]

Found a cheap source of thicker acrylic lid already cut that fit just fine so pulled the trigger and they arrived yesterday! Was using a very thin piece of acrylic to cover the acrylic tank openings and it was curved it was easy to lift with curve

What do people use to lift the thicker piece? The traditional glass fish tank lid handle is the first thing I thought of just thought maybe someone else has a knob/cabinet pull that works better than that traditional tank lid handle we use.

Kind of thought about holes into the lid myself as an option. Just not sure if i wanted to put holes in the lid at all.

 

[FJB]

I m often trying to make do with things that I make myself instead of buying comercial versions. Because I am cheap, and ‘cus I like them better. I made this set of 3 handles for a 125g and am planning doing the same for another. I used willow branches cut to size and silicone. It has been years. No problems.

 

[jjohnwm]

That type of lid always seemed to bow upwards for me, away from the water, so I liked to make it completely symmetrical so that I could periodically flip it over and let it start bending the other way. I just used a dab of solvent glue to hold a small piece of cut-off acrylic as a handle, one on each side, so there was always a handle on top.

I like the wooden handles as shown by F FJB but they would only work on glass if held on by silicone.

Nowadays I mostly use the corrugated clear greenhouse stuff; super lightweight, easy to cut with shears, doesn't absorb water so no bowing, just cut a scallop near the edge for lifting.

 

[wednesday13]

Can get the regular plastic style handles for glass lids with 2 way tape for cheap… even at 3/8”-1/2” those will bow like ur old ones did making the corners easier to grab tho also. Id leave em be so u can flip them around from time to time to combat the bowing. If u do go with a handle put it in the middle so u can still flip em over.

 

[DrownedFishonFire]

Thank you all 3 for giving me feedback-


like you both predicted jjohnwm and wednesday13 its already curving/bowing on day 4-

3/8 thick 24”x12” panels making it easier for me to lift already.

Will leave it alone and flip it over whenever needed

 

[celebrist]

I bought some after market replacement handles and stuck them on my lids, 10 years ago