DIY Temp Lid
- Thread starter Shnetts
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AlyciaMarie
Where's my anemone?
I DIY-ed a lid. I went to the hardware store and picked up an aluminum screen frame kit (pictured below) and a roll of fiber mesh (also pictured below). I measured the tank and sawed the aluminum to the right size. After I got the right size, I just followed the instructions that came with the frame kit. Then, I added the mesh and cut away the access. It looks exactly like the screen on a window, but it works well, especially for a cheap, temporary fix. Altogether I spent maybe $30 putting it together.
Has anyone ever made a make shift temporary lid? Or have any suggestions to do so? I’m leaving for a few days so I set up a plank auto feeder but it doesn’t work with my current lid. I heard somewhere that plastic wrap will get the job done in a pinch. Anyone have any experience with this?
Is that plastic wrap on top? My concern is it will prevent gas exchange. How will the tank get oxygen?
OP
OP
Yes it’s plastic wrap. There’s a million holes I poked on top tho
OP
OP
I thought of that but I have a kraken lid being custom cut so this is really just for 3-4 days.I DIY-ed a lid. I went to the hardware store and picked up an aluminum screen frame kit (pictured below) and a roll of fiber mesh (also pictured below). I measured the tank and sawed the aluminum to the right size. After I got the right size, I just followed the instructions that came with the frame kit. Then, I added the mesh and cut away the access. It looks exactly like the screen on a window, but it works well, especially for a cheap, temporary fix. Altogether I spent maybe $30 putting it together.
SteveMM62Reef
Valuable Member
What is your Current lid made of? If it’s Glass, you could pull it forward, leaving a gap in the back. Fill it in with a piece of Acrylic, with a small opening, for the feeder. This is to prevent jumpers. Problem with thin food wrap, is it could fall in the tank, and block filter or overflow. Adding a Screen top, and you’ll need more makeup water.
OP
OP
It’s a poly lid similar to the kraken lids. I’m not to worried about it falling in. There will be someone to look after the tank. If course they won’t pay as much attention to it as I normally do. And I have a dragonet that loves to carpet surf so I just want to make sure he’s good
Gumbies R Us
Certified Noob
That will be nice to have one of those lids!
OP
OP
I know I’m excited for it. Unfortunately it just didn’t make it on time
OP
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All the glass tops seems to do the same thing. Does it make a difference if it’s plastic?
OP
OP
I wish I could make something like that work but my snails would 100% get out of the tankI have a glass top on a 15 gallon with a 1/4 inch space. It vents nicely.
Here’s a picture. Maybe try something like this:
What do you think about it?
Zelly
Community Member
Just an FYI, I was doing a PAR test on my tank for some new coral and I found out that the mesh for window screens (the mesh you show here, I had the same one) actually decreases the PAR significantly. I just changed it to the 1/4" spacing mesh most people use and have almost no PAR loss now.I DIY-ed a lid. I went to the hardware store and picked up an aluminum screen frame kit (pictured below) and a roll of fiber mesh (also pictured below). I measured the tank and sawed the aluminum to the right size. After I got the right size, I just followed the instructions that came with the frame kit. Then, I added the mesh and cut away the access. It looks exactly like the screen on a window, but it works well, especially for a cheap, temporary fix. Altogether I spent maybe $30 putting it together.
OP
OP
Mine love to. before I had my first lid I found them on the outside of the glass a few times lol
AlyciaMarie
Where's my anemone?
Oh wow I didn’t know that. Would you suggest changing the material all together, or adjusting light settings?
Zelly
Community Member
Im using AI prime 16hds (3 on an aqueon 40 breeder) I try not to bring my lights above 75-80% due to the lens burning issue but they are still great lights at that level for this size tank. Easiest and cheapest solution is to increase your light intensity but for the previous reasons I chose not to do this and just spend the 12$ on 1/4" mesh on amazon. I noticed roughly a 50 PAR decrease or more depending where you are taking measurements with my setup. TBH its only 12$ for the mesh so I recommend just getting that
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