What To Cover Tanks With

[Just_Another_One]

Im' taking the big bulky lids off my 5 gallon mini bow and 6 gallon eclipse betta tanks but need somethn to keep the fish from juumping as well as keep the cat out.

I was thinking plastic mesh stuff but wouldn't mind other ideas if anyone has any...

 

[ellena]

Aren't the lights in the lids? Is there any kind of lip/shelf inside the tank? If there is you could get a piece of glass cut and rest that on the lip/shelf. Gives a very clean, minimalist look

 

[kizno1]

you could cut some perspex down to size.

 

[Just_Another_One]

Aren't the lights in the lids? Is there any kind of lip/shelf inside the tank? If there is you could get a piece of glass cut and rest that on the lip/shelf. Gives a very clean, minimalist look

I don't really use the lights in these tanks and since there is no live plants I have no use for them. They both have lips around the rim so i wwas looking for something to rest inside the tank on the lips.

The lids are off right now with some paper covering temperarly to keep kitties paws out and i love the clean,minimalist look- way better than the bulky lids.

Anyone know where I can get glass cut to size

you could cut some perspex down to size.

hmmmm whats perspex......

never heard of it before.

 

[pippoodle]

you can get some condensation trays that would cover them (sell them on ebay) - betta tanks need lids wether you have a cat or not cos they will jump out hun

 

[Just_Another_One]

you can get some condensation trays that would cover them (sell them on ebay) - betta tanks need lids wether you have a cat or not cos they will jump out hun

ahahhah oh i know first hand about jumping bettas. Back in Sparkles younger years i had him in a little cup on my dresser while i was cleaning his tank in the bathroom and I came back to him on the hardwood floor He had jumped and fallen 4 feet down but hes still goin strong 3 years later

I'm not sure the condenstation trays would work becuase these tanks are weird shapes and i wouldnt think any would fit...unless your'e able to cut them?

 

[pippoodle]

what shape are the tanks hun ? -- nosey more than anything lol

 

[Honeythorn]

hmmmm whats perspex......

never heard of it before.

....You've never heard of perspex? OK.

It's plastic. You can often buy it in sheets about 1/2 - 1 cm thick, and it comes in many many colours and also CLEAR. Naturally clear is the best choice. You can either buy a big sheet and cut it down to size yourself, or get some cut for you.

Just give the dimensions of the surface area of the tank. You will want the perspex to overhang the edges of the tank by about 1/2 a centimetre so it stays on. You will need to cut or burn gaps into the edges to fit around filter and heater wires.

You could also screw a fancy small doorknob to the perspex to make it easy to remove and also look a bit better. One of those glass/crystal looking ones would look really nice.

 

[tropic_john]

egg crate?

 

[lilacamy931]

Also that plastic canvas stuff that you can do tapestry and sewing on!

 

[Just_Another_One]

hmmmm whats perspex......

never heard of it before.

....You've never heard of perspex? OK.

It's plastic. You can often buy it in sheets about 1/2 - 1 cm thick, and it comes in many many colours and also CLEAR. Naturally clear is the best choice. You can either buy a big sheet and cut it down to size yourself, or get some cut for you.

Just give the dimensions of the surface area of the tank. You will want the perspex to overhang the edges of the tank by about 1/2 a centimetre so it stays on. You will need to cut or burn gaps into the edges to fit around filter and heater wires.

You could also screw a fancy small doorknob to the perspex to make it easy to remove and also look a bit better. One of those glass/crystal looking ones would look really nice.

Yep never heard of perspex before.... Must be a UK thing perhaps

I like the idea of the door knob. tThanks

 

[Tolak]

I believe perspex is the same as plexiglass this side of the pond. The problem I've found with plexiglass is that it will warp when not held in a solid frame. I use cheap styrene light diffuser panels over most of my tanks, available at any DIY shop.

This is the material used in recessed lighting fixtures for suspended ceilings, and comes in the same size as the tiles, 2'x4'. It's found in the same section as the ceiling tiles. All total, if you pieced it together I have about 10 sheets in use ATM. It beats commercially made tops at keeping evaporation to a minimum, as you can cover the entire tank, leaving small cut outs for filters or air lines.

It's easy to cut with a razor knife, and doesn't warp. Don't buy the more expensive acrylic, as it will warp the same as plexiglass.

 

[Just_Another_One]

I believe perspex is the same as plexiglass this side of the pond. The problem I've found with plexiglass is that it will warp when not held in a solid frame. I use cheap styrene light diffuser panels over most of my tanks, available at any DIY shop.

This is the material used in recessed lighting fixtures for suspended ceilings, and comes in the same size as the tiles, 2'x4'. It's found in the same section as the ceiling tiles. All total, if you pieced it together I have about 10 sheets in use ATM. It beats commercially made tops at keeping evaporation to a minimum, as you can cover the entire tank, leaving small cut outs for filters or air lines.

It's easy to cut with a razor knife, and doesn't warp. Don't buy the more expensive acrylic, as it will warp the same as plexiglass.

woh your way sounds kinda complicated.

I think I may just grab some plastic mesh sheetz from the craft store. Seems it could be the easiest way.

Thanks alot everyone for the suggestions though

Someone wanted to see the shape of the tanks- Dont mind the bad pictures I just snapped them super quick. The first one has the make-shift lid on it till i can get to the craft store tomarrow.

 

[Tolak]

It's really easy actually. I'm sure you've seen recessed lights similar to this, they are standard office or school fare; http/www.americantinceilings.com/images/db/large/6371.jpg

It is nothing but a thin sheet of stiff plastic covering a generic fluorescent fixture; http/www.malcolite.com/index.php?id=9,4,0,0,1,0

A 2 foot by 4 foot piece costs a few dollars. Cut to size with a razor knife or pair of heavy shears. Ends up being a dollar per top for the tanks you pictured, maybe less. They sell lots of these, people would rather replace them than clean them.

 

[rdd1952]

Keep in mind that what ever you use, the more open space in the cover (such as a mesh which really isn't a comer except it keeps the fish in and cat out) the more evaporation you will have so the more often you may have to do water changes.