Looking for suggestions on aquarium lids

[bluecheese]

I have a custom built American Aquariums acrylic tank. American Aquariums offers lids, but they're polycarbonate, and I'd like to have some sort of screen instead.

I guess I'm looking for something I can customize so that I can have cut outs for powerhead wires and the automatic feeder. I also don't want to break the bank buying lids.

Some pics of the openings when the tank was first set up:

Any suggestions?

 

[Formulator]

I used the red sea screen kit. It was really easy to assemble and is fully customizable for cut-outs and even a feeding portal if you want it.

 

[bluecheese]

Bulk Reef Supply

Like this?

 

[Formulator]

Bulk Reef Supply

Like this?

Yep, that one exactly. Just make sure you select the right size for your tank.

 

[bluecheese]

So I wouldn’t be able to make them smaller? 24x24 would be too big for the openings on this tank.

 

[Formulator]

So I wouldn’t be able to make them smaller? 24x24 would be too big for the openings on this tank.

Yes, you can absolutely make it smaller. Just not bigger obviously. Its limited by the length of the frame pieces they give you, which need to be cut to fit anyways.

I also bought one of these cut out kits and a feeding portal:

Universal Cut-Out Kit
Feeding Portal

 

[bluecheese]

Thanks

 

[Chrisv.]

The kraken reef lids are works of art. I think they do custom work.

 

[Formulator]

Thanks

Good luck to LSU this season. May the best Tigers of the SEC win

 

[bluecheese]

We’ll take good care of Blake Baker for you

 

[bluecheese]

The kraken reef lids are works of art. I think they do custom work.

I just checked their page. Looks like they’re not doing custom lids at this time

 

[Formulator]

We’ll take good care of Blake Baker for you

It looks like we won’t get the opportunity for a reunion this year unless it’s post-season. Too bad!

 

[bluecheese]

The SEC schedule is such a mess right now.

 

[rpkneumann]

IMHO:
Your tank looks great. I wouldn't go with something self made and then you find out that mesh screens are different qualities and sag after a while.
Spend the money and have custom lids made which fit the beautiful view of your tank.
I would go with: Top Lids or ClearView or KrakenReef. Get yourself a quote.
There are many more. But those I looked at when researching my own solution.
Cost a little more but its worth it.

By the way, in total contradiction to what i just wrote.
I'm working on my revival tank and decided to go 1/4 inch polycarbonate sheets and no nets after I've seen water evaporate at a rate of 10g/week. (Tank is 4 ft x 2 ft, 135 g). Thank god for the ATO.
Don't worry about light loss. Those 5 to 10% are easily covered by turning your lights up a tiny little bit. You not going to blast your tank with 100% of light anyhow.

 

[Chrisv.]

I really don't think the red sea or bulk reef li

IMHO:
Your tank looks great. I wouldn't go with something self made and then you find out that mesh screens are different qualities and sag after a while.
Spend the money and have custom lids made which fit the beautiful view of your tank.
I would go with: Top Lids or ClearView
There are many more. But those I looked at when researching my own solution.
Cost a little more but its worth it.

By the way, in total contradiction to what i just wrote.
I'm working on my revival tank and decided to go 1/4 inch polycarbonate sheets and no nets after I've seen water evaporate at a rate of 10g/week. (Tank is 4 ft x 2 ft, 135 g). Thank god for the ATO.
Don't worry about light loss. Those 5 to 10% are easily covered by turning your lights up a tiny little bit. You not going to blast your tank with 100% of light anyhow.

I really don't think a diy screen lid will even work with this. The red sea/innovative marine/brs diy kits all use 90 degree frames. The openings on this tank have rounded corners.

 

[bluecheese]

IMHO:
Your tank looks great. I wouldn't go with something self made and then you find out that mesh screens are different qualities and sag after a while.
Spend the money and have custom lids made which fit the beautiful view of your tank.
I would go with: Top Lids or ClearView or KrakenReef. Get yourself a quote.
There are many more. But those I looked at when researching my own solution.
Cost a little more but its worth it.

By the way, in total contradiction to what i just wrote.
I'm working on my revival tank and decided to go 1/4 inch polycarbonate sheets and no nets after I've seen water evaporate at a rate of 10g/week. (Tank is 4 ft x 2 ft, 135 g). Thank god for the ATO.
Don't worry about light loss. Those 5 to 10% are easily covered by turning your lights up a tiny little bit. You not going to blast your tank with 100% of light anyhow.

Man, Top Lids are very proud of their product.

 

[Chrisv.]

Man, Top Lids are very proud of their product.

Yeah ..to be fair they are really nice lids but man, they are pricey.

 

[Gribbles]

IMHO:
Your tank looks great. I wouldn't go with something self made and then you find out that mesh screens are different qualities and sag after a while.
Spend the money and have custom lids made which fit the beautiful view of your tank.
I would go with: Top Lids or ClearView or KrakenReef. Get yourself a quote.
There are many more. But those I looked at when researching my own solution.
Cost a little more but its worth it.

By the way, in total contradiction to what i just wrote.
I'm working on my revival tank and decided to go 1/4 inch polycarbonate sheets and no nets after I've seen water evaporate at a rate of 10g/week. (Tank is 4 ft x 2 ft, 135 g). Thank god for the ATO.
Don't worry about light loss. Those 5 to 10% are easily covered by turning your lights up a tiny little bit. You not going to blast your tank with 100% of light anyhow.

I'll second this. Have used a red sea screen in the past. It's definitely a step (or five) down from the others mentioned.

I have a clearview lid. Well worth the upgrade. The design and aesthetic are a+++

 

[Top_Lids]

Man, Top Lids are very proud of their product.

Hey @bluecheese , these acrylic tanks are quite easy to design custom for, and generally don't end up being too much due to the size of the openings being much smaller than he tank itself. If you'd like a quote, feel free to contact us. We've done many similar designs before.

 

[bluecheese]

Hey @bluecheese , these acrylic tanks are quite easy to design custom for, and generally don't end up being too much due to the size of the openings being much smaller than he tank itself. If you'd like a quote, feel free to contact us. We've done many similar designs before.

Thanks for the reply. I sent a quote request through your website.