Plexiglass hood
- Thread starter Raetak
- Start date
kevinfleming21;5030561; said:
I will include that in my design. I'm trying to keep the whole deal under $50
Acrylic lids always warp. You would have to go REALLY thick to avoid this. You can weld strips (T joint) of acrylic to the lids to prevent this, they also dub as handles. I have done 1/2"-3/4" wide strips in a frame fashion to provide rigidity to the lid which has worked good for me in the past.
Another option (if you don't have solvent to weld acrylic) is to get aluminum channel and drill holes and bolt the aluminum channel to the lid to make a frame. I have also done that. I got the aluminum channel form Menards. You can get stainless bolts and extruded aluminum channel at most hardware stores.
Or like anther mentioned, you can make them symmetrical and just flip them every now and then.
Another option (if you don't have solvent to weld acrylic) is to get aluminum channel and drill holes and bolt the aluminum channel to the lid to make a frame. I have also done that. I got the aluminum channel form Menards. You can get stainless bolts and extruded aluminum channel at most hardware stores.
Or like anther mentioned, you can make them symmetrical and just flip them every now and then.
I know that I'm nine months behined, but I just subscribed this week. I have a piece of plexi if it is or not on a 20 gallon long. I've had this small sheet for over thirty five years and it is very strong and will not warp. It's about 1/8" thick. I picked it up at the dump when I was a kid. It still had the paper on it. Any way I plan on getting a 125 gallon tank and want to make my own hood. But I am unable to find something that will not warp. I deal with several plastic companies through my place of employment and I will share the information If I come through.
Awesome...
I use plexiglass for the hood of my small 10g and it works great but is starting to warp...it really beats a plastic hood though because there is a lot less evaporation
