Plexi glass or Mesh cover for tank, many variables many questions..

[Washburn82]

So I don't have a sump so glass lid is out of the question. I have a plexi glass lid I made last year . With many holes drilled for chords and gas exchange and such. Heard though that it reduces a lot of the light from getting in. Any truth in this? Also I recently made a mesh cover with fibreglass mesh and aluminum framing. I have an HOB protein skimmer so notching an area out for that was no biggy. However, the chords on the other hand are giving me a headache. Any suggestions on how to keep the chords from getting in the way of the lid fitting snug? I thought about cutting little holes in the mesh and feeding the chords through but then I have to unplug and do that every time I feed or do a waterchange or have to adjust the temp. Also to me it looks like it reduced the led lights quite a bit. I got the fly mesh small enough to prevent flies from getting through. Is it maybe too small. Also can fibreglass melt from LEDs? I only ask cause this morning my wrasse jumped out, luckily I was there put him right back in and he's fine. Should I stick with plexi glass or the mesh based on what I've told you. Thanks any and all info is greatly appreciated.

 

[monique]

I use the plastic egg crate panels from floresent lights and plexiglass. cut your egg crate to fit each section of your tank. Then cut out the centre leaving about a 4" frame all around the outside. Cut your plexiglass about 1/2 inch smaller then the egg crate. Its easy to make spots for electric cords. You end up with a nice frame to hold up the plexiglass. {plexiglass does NOT block as much light as glass} And its cheap. I drilled holes along the edge in a few places ang used small zip tyes to hold it together. I had a problem with my zebra dart fish jumping out. Lost 3 before i did this. Slows down evaporation too. I use leds though so i don't have to worry about trapping heat to much.

 

[Washburn82]

Thanks very much Monique. Only downfall to plexi glass I've found is the constant cleaning of salt creep. At the moment I'm using the new Mesh top I built yesterday it works great just looks like a sore thumb because it can't sit down snug. Gonna see if maybe I can somehow dent the aluminum in the spots where the chords are allowing it to sit a little better. If all else fails I may switch back to the plexi glass. I cut it all out perfect for chords, skimmer and like 50 1/4 inch gas exchange holes. I just read yesterday about the reduction of uv rays (ithink) that get penetrated through glass and plexi glass. Had me a little worried.

 

[monique]

ya, you are right about the salt creep, but I only get it where my bubble stone is. Where I live its hard to get any thing unless it comes from the hardware store or you order it though the mail, so I jerryrigged this before I lost all my zebra darts. Cost my about 40 $, Mine sits right inside the lip of the tank. 3 sections 27 by 23. You dont even see it unless you stand at the tank. I like it because you can sculpt the eggcrate for all your hoses, pumps, cords etc. then I just fit the plexi as close as I can while still keeping it square. No more jumpers. And I dont get nearly as much dust, bugs,[attracted to the light], or evaporation loss. I have 2 rotties and i live in northern ontario- blackfly country.Try to keep THEM out of your house. I read that plexi doesn't block as much light as glass. When I do my reg water change and clean my filter i just stick them in the shower one at a time to rinse the salt off. I probably have 2" at the ends of the tank and a 1/2 to 3/4 space around the outside that is just mesh so i get good gas exchange and airflow. Until I get something better this is doing the job and the price was right.