Need ideas for lid

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T

TRD_Power

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Mar 16, 2010
182
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Washington
I have a 75g that needs a new lid since I picked up a HOB filter and the old glass one won't do since it covers the top 100%. Just wondering what some of you guys would recommend to use since I have a light that will be resting only a couple inches away. I was thinking about making my own out of plexiglass from home depot and cutting an opening for the filter's waterfall, but would the light's UV rays or heat mess with the plexiglass? Any input would be great! Oh and the tank has a plastic support bar down the center of the top, if that helps at all...

Thanks!
 
I'm not sure about plexiglass and it's resistance to heat, but (as a Home Depot cashier) I know that Home Depot also sells acrylic which is more heat resistant. Also depends on how many watts of lighting you have.

Other ideas are that you could also find a glass cutting shop in your area and have a place for the filter cut out of it. I'm not familiar with the pricing for this, but a piece of the plexiglass for that size of tank will run you a decent amount as well.
Cheaper ideas are flourescent light covers, you know the hard plastic that goes right up next to flourescent bulbs in old school apartment kitchens. Home Depot has that for around 10 bucks a pop. Keep in mind it goes right up next to anywhere from one to 3 or 4, 20 to 60 watt flourescent bulbs so it wont melt on you. However, it is not completely transparent so if you grow plants it's not going to let all the light through. Also, if you have a fish that hits the lid a lot and is an aggressive jumper the stuff might break.

 
1. Buy a piece of the plastic backstrip used on glass tops. Costs like $5
2. Buy a glass cutter. About $3
3. Cut a strip off the back of your current top.
4. Replace the strip with the plastic backstrip.
5. Cut out opening for filter.
6. Profit.
 
bob965;4128143; said:
1. Buy a piece of the plastic backstrip used on glass tops. Costs like $5
2. Buy a glass cutter. About $3
3. Cut a strip off the back of your current top.
4. Replace the strip with the plastic backstrip.
5. Cut out opening for filter.
6. Profit.
Click to expand...

As long as the glass isn't tempered.

A glass shop or hardware store will cut it for you for a few bucks.

You can do it your self you may want get some scraps to practice cutting first.
You need to lube the cutting wheel and wipe a line down the area to cut, wd/40 works good. After scoring the glass lay it on a flat surface and tap along the score line with a hammer. Be gentle and keep the hammer flat. The score line will walk through the glass. If you try to snap it off like cutting sheet rock you will likely break the glass in the wrong area.
 
Agree get the glass cut, keeping in mind if you cut it yourself and fail a $20 cut could become a $100+ job.
 
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