NEED REALLY NICE LID
- Thread starter TOMACONDA
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That is because acrylic warps under our lighting and conditions. It’s not the best material to use. You need a polycarbonate
ccajigas07
Well-Known Member
interesting to know i will order some i kinda figured it was from the heat coming off the light
That is a valid point
I like to use lids to reduce evaporation and have more stable salinity and to retain heat better. And I like to use lids as a shelf here and there
My kraken mesh doesn’t do those things and always gets terrible salt creep
I believe (and it’s been a while since I researched this) that it’s from the near uv wavelengths given off by our leds
Kraken Reef
Community Member
Polypropylene mesh is the standard.
For the evaporation, you could always use an evaporation cover; https://krakenreef.com/products/kraken-reef-evaporation-cover . This would also protect the mesh from having items layed on top. As for salt creep, that will happen with any piece of equipment where water wicks up then dries out. We design our lids to be the ideal solution for 99% of reefers, but everyones (such as yours) situation has variables and different needs/desires.
Its actually because acrylic is more porous than polycarbonate, so in a humid situation like the lid, it will absorb water causing it to warp.
VP616
Active Member
Another vote for @Kraken Reef.
UtahReefer
Active Member
Within the last week I received my lid from Clearview lids. Really nice lid, very happy with the purchase. Everything showed up exactly as I requested. I have three feed doors (one on each end so I can put in my algae clips without lifting the lid). They were easy to work with and it took about a month.
Thanks. I need to get some quotes too. My new 96x36 peninsula will naturally need sections due to cross bracing. Perfectly timed post.Contact this guy through his website or email
Best Aquarium Lids, Crystal Clear and Durable
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He can make them custom for larger sizes and rimless tanks if you don’t mind it being in sections
Seansea
Valuable Member
I got a clearview. The nice thing about them is it's like a puzzle. If you get new lighting or need a new configuration they can cut a new peice and send it to u to snap into your lid. I like mine alot
72x30 x 24 looking for best custom lids?
Is plexi. Or acrylic a fine option ?
anyone point me in right direction as to where to order a super nice piece
Did the old wire mesh DIY lid which works for now but it’s clunky and not great
Octo aquatics would be my vote. They made my lid perfect.
Octo Aquatics - Custom Acrylic Products - Octo Aquatics
I have been in the saltwater industry since 1996 and have been working with wood and plastics since 2004. Every product I sell has been fabricated by myself, right here in Arizona! I specialize in custom products that nobody else offers. Don’t trust just anyone! Plastic and wood fabrication is...
octoaquatics.com
I used clear view as my first lid and it was an absolute terrible experience with poor customer service. I do not recommend them at all. Use anyone but them and you will probably be fine.
I stand corrected on the causes for acrylic warping. Thank you
I will clarify my statement and opinion on the kraken lid. It fits my Waterbox perfect. It was made and delivered fast. It is a well made product. I do think anyone wanting a mesh lid would be happy with it
My complaints are oversights on my own account and have to do with mesh and not Waterbox. My primary concern was to protect my fish from jumping. I heard good things about kraken. They happened to make a lid for my tank. I bought it without much thought. It serves its purpose.
However my Waterbox evaporates like crazy and I’m refilling my ato every few days. The mesh on the lid collects salt creep. I feel if I was to repeatedly put stuff on the mesh - bottles, food jars, etc it will begin to stretch or sag. It doesn’t prevent pet fur from floating in my water surface. The downsides of a owning a shaggy dog
That’s not the purpose of this design and it’s not really a fault of the product
I do notice that on my 75g tank the polycarbonate lids avoid all of this. And they don’t get salt creep on underside because the constant process of water evaporating collects on the lid. Then drips back in the tank. Then collects again. The bottom never dries out to get salt creep. The top surface will get creep if I spill saltwater on it and don’t wipe it up.
I spent $120 on the lid for a 15g Waterbox tank
The dual polycarbonate lids for my 48” 75g tank ran me 90$ and address the issues I have with the mesh.
Some people like mesh. A lot of people do. But personally owning both style of lid, I find I like the solid lid better, and I have a few rows of holes for ventilation in the rear, and I put wet tools on them to drain back into the tank as they dry
Kraken does offer an optional solid top add on piece which would address all my issues, but it’s $80 which means I’m now all in for $200 on a lid for a nano tank. Compared to 90$ I spent for a solid lid for a tank over 4x the size
I am having the Walter lid company make a replacement right side lid to have a custom cutout hole for a plank I bought. I’m only being charged 40$.
So now I just have buyers regret but it’s my own fault for not researching options ahead of time and thinking out what I want from a lid. For my own needs and preferences I could have covered this Waterbox, prevented fish from jumping, prevented dust and pet fur from getting in the tank, reduced evap, and had my usable temp shelf, for $70. It now will cost me 80$ to solve the complaints I have with the lid I already spent $120 on
70$ Waterbox 15 polycarbonate lid - which also covers the rear filtration section and has a few cord notches
80$ kraken cover
So now my dilemma is no matter what, it seems this will cost me about the same to “fix”. I hesitate to say fix, because it’s not broken. Maybe a better term is “correct my oversight”
Do I spend 70$ and just get a polycarb lid or do I spend 80$ and get the kraken add on
I might buy the polycarbonate lid and try to sell the kraken lid at a nice discount to help out someone that wants one and recoup some of my costs of covering this tank
80$ kraken cover
So now my dilemma is no matter what, it seems this will cost me about the same to “fix”. I hesitate to say fix, because it’s not broken. Maybe a better term is “correct my oversight”
Do I spend 70$ and just get a polycarb lid or do I spend 80$ and get the kraken add on
I might buy the polycarbonate lid and try to sell the kraken lid at a nice discount to help out someone that wants one and recoup some of my costs of covering this tank
I have to say I am extremely happy with Top Lids (yeah they’re expensive but so beautiful and sturdy). I’ve had one on my DT (240 gal) for almost a year and recently got one for my 50gal. QT. They do take a long time to receive but so worth it IMO.
Kraken (Octo) is amazing!! Great product amazing quality. Clear communications.
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