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Tank Cover

Claire

Claire

Member
Joined
18 Apr 2013
Messages
333
Location
Cumbernauld
I have finally conceeded and accept that I'm probably going to need to put a cover on my tank after finding one of my prized crystal shrimp crispy on the carpet this morning. I have had a couple of chilli rasbora jump previously and put it down to them being new, but the shrimp have been in a while now. I'm disappointed as I really didn't think I'd have a problem with them jumping. So I've put a plastic condensation tray over it for now till I sort something better.
I was looking at perspex on clips, as it would be really difficult to cut glass to the right shape around the filter inlet/outlet pipes. Have had a quick look at the mesh and not sure. Dunno how difficult the perspex would be to do neatly though?
Any ideas?
Cheers :)
 
Most specialist places that sell perspex/acrylic would probably cut it for you, and likely flame polish the edges too. You could probably get it done via online outlets if you sent the measurements. Getting the inlet/outlet pipes in/out doesn't have to be complicated - just cut off a triangle section of the corner(s) as needed.
 
If you have a jig saw and the right type of blade then you can put the jig saw on a medium to low setting and cut through perspex like butter, just be careful not to scratch it, putting card, paper or better yet masking tape works fine. Go slow and cut near to the line but not over it. You can then finish the edges with some sand paper on a block to get a nice straight line. The finish really depends on how patient you are. You can also cut smaller sections with a dremel put this can be messy. Charterhouse aquatics has some DIY mesh covers that look nice and easy to construct (there's a video) but I don't know how fine the mesh is. You could always get the set and then by some finer mesh from you local garden center and super glue that over the coarse mesh.
 
Hi Claire, It would be easier if you didn't need cut outs for the pipes etc, don't people just have the lid an inch or two shorter to accomodate the pipework? If you did this you could just go to your local glass supplier and get a panel cut fairly cheaply or if you preferred acrylic try something like this..... (It's where I work BTW, other suppliers are available ;)) I don't know the size of your tank but I'd suggest 4mm minimum.

I was thinking of asking if anyone wants the clips that came with my ADA 60P but I didn't get round to it....you can have them if you like.

Cheers
 
Hi, I had the same problem with my Japonica shrimp jumping out of the tank. My fish didnt act weird at all but in the end it was the Co2 level being to high. After i adjusted my Co2 the shrimp didnt jump out anymore. My tank is 120cm long. I had 2 glass panels cut to cover the tank up (not using it now).

I got these from ebay, Acrylic clip there are different ones on ebay to fit your aquarium glass thickness. I had the glass panels cut so that i have 1 cm of space from the aquarium glass. Having this space will also help against the condensation of the glass panels. on the right side i have more space for my inlet/outlet from the filter.

Looking back at my own problem i would suggest to check your co2 levels first. Shrimp jumping out can be due to high co2.

I hope this was a bit helpfull.

BTW If you want i can take a pic tonight with the glass cover + acrylic clips attached.

Arjan.
 
The tank is about 300x500mm so pretty small, but I thought probably 5 or 6mm would be best to help stop it bowing. I could flip it too I suppose if it was just corners cut off for pipework. Your work prices seem pretty good James, would you guys be able to take the back corners off for me too for pipes to save me fannying around with tools that I don't know how to work LOL.

The thing that I was confused about is that the shrimp have been in there 3 weeks with no change in co2 level and were fine, now one jumper? Dunno if it's just bad luck but I'd rather it not happen again![DOUBLEPOST=1395664773][/DOUBLEPOST]I just thought, I dosed some easycarbo last night for a bit of bba - could that have caused the jumper? Will still get a cover anyways like coz I was gutted to find the wee crispy.
 
If you can do a quick sketch I can do you a drawing which we can use on our laser cutter and you can have any cut outs you want. I work in the design department so I couldn't give you a quote but if you then sent my drawing to my boss he'd quote it for you, I doubt it'd be too expensive. 5mm would probably be best.
 
Cool thanks for that. I'll draw one up once I've got the new light fitted which will let me see how much room the brackets for it take up. That'll prob be wednesday or thursday.
 
Ed, I've just been out to the factory and found a bit of 5mm acrylic 600mm square and supported it on three sides - it did sag but less than I thought, only about 1 or 2mm in the very middle so you might get away with it. If you put some sort of strut on it it might help as well.
 
Hi Rob, yeah we do frosted acrylic as well.

Apologies for turning this thread into some sort of advert for where I work, it wasn't my intention.
 
Omegatron said:
Hi, I had the same problem with my Japonica shrimp jumping out of the tank. My fish didnt act weird at all but in the end it was the Co2 level being to high. After i adjusted my Co2 the shrimp didnt jump out anymore. My tank is 120cm long. I had 2 glass panels cut to cover the tank up (not using it now).

I got these from ebay, Acrylic clip there are different ones on ebay to fit your aquarium glass thickness. I had the glass panels cut so that i have 1 cm of space from the aquarium glass. Having this space will also help against the condensation of the glass panels. on the right side i have more space for my inlet/outlet from the filter.

Looking back at my own problem i would suggest to check your co2 levels first. Shrimp jumping out can be due to high co2.

I hope this was a bit helpfull.

BTW If you want i can take a pic tonight with the glass cover + acrylic clips attached.

Arjan.
Click to expand...
Hi sorry to butt in but where did you get the clips from ? Is there a uk stockist do you know ?


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Omegatron said:
With uk stocklist you mean if its available on ebay.co.uk? If so then I dont know but it doesnt matter you can order order them on .com on the same account you have on .co.uk


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Click to expand...
Sorry what I was meaning is there anywhere sells them here in the uk I have had the same problem as Claire so was wanting to cover my tank quickly . eBay don't rush from across seas :)


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Omegatron said:
Ah ok i get it now. I have no idea because im from the netherlands but i havent found them in stores here nor on dutch webshops. But maybe someone else knows if they sell these in the uk.


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Click to expand...
Thanks for that I have just ordered 8 off amazon so sorted now . Sorry for the hijack


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