DIY Polycarbonate Aquarium LidsĪnother great idea for an aquarium lid is to use egg crates. More translucent than transparent as compared to acrylicĪs an insatiable DIYer, below are several designs and methods I’ve used in the past to create my own aquarium lids. More likely to crack during drilling or upon impact 3. Lighter in weight than comparable acrylicġ. Can be exposed to high temperatures and is non-flammable 4. More flexible than acrylic can be shaped at room temperature 3. Can be polished, both for scratches and clean edges 3. Nevertheless, these options do have their own set of pros and cons :ġ. Many DIY aquarium lid kits use these materials thanks to their durability and low cost. Interestingly, acrylic sheets can withstand roughly 17 times the impact of traditional glass, and polycarbonate is even stronger, with impact resistance 250 times that of traditional glass. These synthetic glasses are much cheaper than standard glass but only half the weight of comparably sized glass by volume. Plastic (Acrylic & Polycarbonate) Aquarium LidĪcrylic plexiglass sheets and polycarbonate panels are two types of clear plastic that can also be used for aquarium lids. You can make your own by following this guide from Odin Aquatics. This looks better and allows you to open just one-half of the lid, making it easier to feed your fish or work on your aquarium. Instead, this design uses four clear acrylic hinges in the middle, so there’s no shading over the aquarium. As a result, it creates a noticeable shading in your aquarium. These commercial lids feature a dark plastic hinge around the whole lid. This design is very popular because it’s easy to open and reliable for larger aquariums. Most commercial glass lids come with two thicker, tempered glass panels hinged together. For the handle, a pack of adhesive wall hooks works great and is readily available at any dollar store. In addition, it’s a smart option to ask the seller to polish and sand the edges to prevent an injury. If you’re going to use tempered glass, you’ll need to order it a few days in advance. If you decide to cut the glass by yourself, be careful as you can easily cut yourself. Steve does a great job of explaining how to make these lids step-by-step. This instructional video from Steve Poland Aquatics seems to be the originator of the sliding design. These DIY glass lids are simple enough for anyone to accomplish. If you’re always careful, it shouldn’t be an issue.ĭon’t be intimidated by the glass-cutting process it’s not as difficult as you think. I also have never heard of anyone getting seriously hurt by a glass aquarium lid. I’ve used these lids for years in my different aquariums, and only one was broken because of an overly excited dog that leaped onto the coffee table. In my humble opinion, the long-term benefits definitely outweigh the potential risks.
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