Hey guys, AZ here. I have a 55 gallon with one oscar and a few silver dollars (all young) and I decided they'll get a bigger home. I found a great deal on an old 125 gallon. I'm re-sealing it now and refinishing the stand and hardwiring the outlets. I'm still deciding which filtration to use but I am mainly posting because the tank didn't come with a lid. I'm making a DIY canopy and I was wondering whether I needed something in between the lights and the water. It's an old 125 so no center brace. Maybe netting or something to keep the fish from jumping out? The LFS had 3-piece tops for a 125 but they fit around the braces and for $30x3 I was hoping there was a more cost effective option. Open to any input about the canopy as well. Thanks, -JD
First Post: 125 Gallon
- Thread starter innieTT
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Home depot carries Plexiglas (get a thickness that won't sag), go with a 3 piece top, just cut to fit (snugly) and either put a finger hole or a knob to lift with.
It will keep the lamps clean and critters in the tank should they get spooked or think the floor looks better.
Dr Joe
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It will keep the lamps clean and critters in the tank should they get spooked or think the floor looks better.
Dr Joe
.
Dr Joe;1314962; said:
and i might warn you that even thought he plexi might not sag in the store it will once its on your tank after time, especially with lights heating it up. i have 1/4" plexi and it sags like theres no tommorow, get atleast 1/2" thick, or even better go to a glass shop and have them cut you some pieces of glass 1/4" thick.
Plexiglass will work for awhile, but will sag over time unless it's crazy thick.
Call the local glass folks and have some cut. Much easier to clean, lasts longer, and probably cheaper than thick plexi.
They can usually drill and champfer finger holes as well.
Don't worry about hinges, just butt them to the each other for easy removal of the panes if needed.
If it's a 6 foot 125 with no center brace, I would use 1/4" instead of the standard 3/16".
As far as filtration, it's up to you and what you plan for the future.
Mine currently has 4 Emp. 400's, 2 XP2's, and a recently added 304 Fluval.
All for 20 "smallish" fish.
Call the local glass folks and have some cut. Much easier to clean, lasts longer, and probably cheaper than thick plexi.
They can usually drill and champfer finger holes as well.
Don't worry about hinges, just butt them to the each other for easy removal of the panes if needed.
If it's a 6 foot 125 with no center brace, I would use 1/4" instead of the standard 3/16".
As far as filtration, it's up to you and what you plan for the future.
Mine currently has 4 Emp. 400's, 2 XP2's, and a recently added 304 Fluval.
All for 20 "smallish" fish.
For filtration you will get as many answers as people who answer your post. For the tops Plexiglass will sag I know from experience. I would go to a glass shop and get two pieces cut. one larger to cover the majority of the tank and the other to use as a feeding port. then you can add a handle to lift the fron piece for ease of use.
Welcome to the forum!
yeah, you need something between the lights and water because that oscar will splash water when feeding and you'll blow your bulbs. Some thick acrylic like everyone suggested would work great (or glass)--and drill a fingerhole to lift it out. For filtration (those oscars are messy eaters and poopers) get an fx5 on there.. i have 2 on 2 different tanks and its great. Or a wetdry works (i have a fx5 AND wetdry on a 180 gallon)
Hope you love it here, youll get alot of good info here on this site..
post us some pics when you get it set up!
yeah, you need something between the lights and water because that oscar will splash water when feeding and you'll blow your bulbs. Some thick acrylic like everyone suggested would work great (or glass)--and drill a fingerhole to lift it out. For filtration (those oscars are messy eaters and poopers) get an fx5 on there.. i have 2 on 2 different tanks and its great. Or a wetdry works (i have a fx5 AND wetdry on a 180 gallon)
Hope you love it here, youll get alot of good info here on this site..
post us some pics when you get it set up!
thanks guys, I had never thought of the fingerhole idea, or making one large piece and another smaller. I imagine I would also need to cut out a bit if I add a couple HOBs. And as far as lighting, I'm wondering whether fluorescents or a few spot lights would best satisfy the "south american biotope?"