I feel lied to

[Uberhoust]

30 X 12 is just like lumber. In the US and Canada you can buy 2" by 4" (2x4s) but in reality they are 1.75" x 3.5". The tops are designed to fit the inner space on the tanks, unfortunately each manufacturer is different. Also some manufacturers tops don't fit their tanks. For example I have a top fin 37 gallon tank which is supposed to fit a top fin 12 x 30 tank yet in top fin's case the top is actually 0.125" too wide. Cutting a wide strip of glass is pretty easy, cutting an 1/8" off is pretty hard without a diamond saw.

 

[TwoTankAmin]

I realize this is an old thread but I think this is important for folks to know.

When glass for tops is cut to side all of the edges are sharp. They can easily cut one. So, what glass places do is they sand/grind the edges to remove the sharpness. I learned this when I broke one the the glass sheets on a top and went to a local glass place to get a replacement cut to site. Thy cut is pretty quick but then I had to wait for them to smooth the edges. They had a machine for this but my piece had to wait for its turn as other orders came before mine.

When I have a glass lid break off a piece I usually can super glue it back together. In tome case when it is the front glass splitting front to back it is near the handle. This allows me not only to glue the break but then to use the handled to help hold it together.

Next, I have several different sized tanks which use the exact same size lids. I recently had to glue one of the 3 lids on my 125. I needed a lid for the tank while id did the repair and let it set. I was able too take one of the 2 lids off or an empty 75 and use that. I also have 33Ls, 40Ls and a 55 which all have the same sized lids. The lids on my 25 and my 15 can be swapped as well.

I also learned that the same gal, size tank but made by different makers may use lids that are not identical size. The difference is not great but just enough so it is either to big to fit or else a bit to small. that lid will sit on the frame but if one moves it to far left or right it can fall into the tank when moving it around.

Lastly, I know that there are some lids intentionally designed with unequal sides lid panels, The front one is way shorter (front to back) than the back, This is intentional and was intended to be used for twin bulb light fixtures as opposed to singles. I had a 29 with this sort of lid while my other 29 had a normal equal sized panel lid.. this is great for the double light tanks but then access to the tank bu opening the front glass does not leave a lot of space for being able to work inside the tank.

 

[Back in the fold]

Store bought glass tops are hit or miss . I’ve gotten some that were an almost perfect fit and others that were pretty slack and loose . It really isn’t hard to make your own and that’s what I’ve done on my Killifish aquariums . Killies are great jumpers and will go out of their way to find that one tiny opening they can jump through .

 

[WhistlingBadger]

It's a lot like furnace filters. Ours takes 18 x 24"; at least that's how they're sold. But the actual size is 17.38 x 23.38 x 0.75". And to make it even more fun, there are at least three different actual sizes for 18 x 24" filters, and they are not mutually compatible. So why the heck don't they just sell them as 17.38 x 23.38 x 0.75"? No idea. But it's annoying.

Hey manufacturers: Tell me the actual dimensions. I'm smart enough to handle fractions and decimals. Really.

 

[Back in the fold]

Hey manufacturers: Tell me the actual dimensions. I'm smart enough to handle fractions and decimals. Really.

Yes ! I wish they would too . Sometimes you need a certain fit and it’s maddening to get home and your stuff doesn’t fit .

 

[anewbie]

Store bought glass tops are hit or miss . I’ve gotten some that were an almost perfect fit and others that were pretty slack and loose . It really isn’t hard to make your own and that’s what I’ve done on my Killifish aquariums . Killies are great jumpers and will go out of their way to find that one tiny opening they can jump through .

Sigh. I have never had an aqueon lid not fit an aqueon tank. Likewise i have never a marine-land lid not fit a marine-land tank. However an aqueon lid on a marine land tank - just say no.

 

[GaryE]

I once found a very good deal on a 120 gallon tank, and figured I would make my own top. The store owner, a nice guy running a local shop, looked me right in the eye and told me to buy the top provided. Apparently, the tanks had to be sold at a tiny markup for him to survive in the market, and his profit was in the covers and support equipment. He knew I was a regular, and he wasn't afraid to put his cards on the table with me.

So I bought the cover from him. It cost me twice as much, but having an independent store in business is worth something to me. Does that top fit? Not well. It has a big gap along the back that used to be filled by a clip on piece of plastic. It yellowed and cracked many years ago. So I did a DIY and moved along.

If I were buying from a billionaire, I'd have made my own top. With a Mom and Pop store run by decent people, we're all in this together. What the companies do with sizing is frustrating, but workarounds are possible. Maybe they shouldn't be necessary, but those like us who care are small fish.

My new 30 inch tanks are 28.5 inches along the front...