Making a top.
 

I am a failure for my wrasse. Everyone said wrasses are jumpers. I was sure mine would stay in the tank. I was wrong. Twinkle Tail (a blue streaked cleaner wrasse) went kitchen floor surfing the other day and I just found him last night. I convinced myself he was hiding in a rock. I was wrong. Enough beating myself up. I am going to learn from this.

I have a uniquely shaped bowfront that the arch is deeper on than most common bowfronts. I have to make my own cover since I failed to do so before losing beloved fish. My plan is to make a rectangle screen for the part that is not on the bow and cut a piece of acrylic sheet for the bow and another piece to fit in all the nooks and crannies around the hob skimmer pipes and cords for the equipment in the back.

Does anyone have a better solution or any thing at all to improve on this idea?

I only have a small mimic tang (Ting Tang) and a tangaroa goby (OB1Goby) as far as fish goes in the tank now. Hoping Ting doesn't get bored and decide to follow his buddy to the kitchen floor while I make this.

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This might help. You would need more than 1.
https://www.usplastic.com/catalog/it...x?itemid=39298

Bummer to hear, yes most wrasses are jumpers, much more so than what you have remaining.

I like that piano hinge posted by Vinny, sure you can fab something from that maybe, and don't forget eggcrate for a quick fix, though the others should be less of a jumping issue.

There is a place called artfully acrylic as well that makes really nice tops, though they are not cheap.

how would i attach that to a piece of acrylic sheet?

Weldon, most acrylic suppliers will have it.

I was thinking the same thing! Along with Weldon, if you are attaching it to other material, I would think some nicely drilled holes with some high quality stainless steel nuts and bolts would be acceptable too.

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I would look into Artfully Acrylic for a custom cover. At least get a price from them. They are very nice looking and while a little pricey the cost of DIY adds up and would be nearly as nice.

I will. I just don't know how to measure and communicate the curve/shape of the arch on the bow.. I don't want to spend $ on something that won't fit... Maybe their website has some direction on this. Time for research!

Maggie

They should be able to help you with the measurements.

IF you decide to go with Artfully a simple template could be sent to them for dimensions & the bow.

Yep, just trace onto cardboard or construction paper or something.

That would work too, just gotta be careful not to crack while drilling, and countersinking for screw heads to flush out.
Also keep in mind some stainless is poor quality and can still rust out.

I'm not sure what artfully acrylic uses, despite the name :lol:, but acrylic warps like the devil. Most use polycarbonate sheeting (lexan) where warping is a potential problem.

You could also try clear netting.

I prefer netting over a glass/acrylic top since it allows better gas exchange and does not get covered with salt creep etc.

If you are somewhat crafty, you could cut a pattern of the netting about an inch wider than the rim of your tank and then neatly tie-in/weave-in some weight to keep it sitting nice on the top.

The ones I've seen look like pretty nice quality, and I've not heard of warping issues, for most it just seems like price is the biggest issue, and too easy to DIY a net top, but for a bowfront or specific needs issue they are a good option.

I've often wondered about whether they would warp or not. I have never read anything saying they will long term.

Heck the cover on my overflow would look like a U if I didn't flip it from time to time.

Yeah I tried to make a lid for my nano and in a couple of weeks the acrylic was a complete U lol

Sounds like you guys have not actually seen an artfully acrylic top.
We have a number of people in my local club that have had theirs long term w/out issues.

I think the splice is on the bottom of the lid. That pulling of the netting from the bottom maybe why it doesn't bow in the middle

No, it’s polycarbonate so it won’t bow
Love my AA lid!


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Thanks for clarifying, I knew it was a nice quality build, just did not know exact material it was made from.

I always just make my own out of clear net, but if I had a bowfront or special needs tank, I think these are the prettier and cleaner option.

Yes, that's what I would have thought. I guess 'artfully polycarbonate' just isn't as catchy a name.

They also make tanks which I assume is the reason for the name!


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Here's where I'm at so far. Don't have the hinge yet, I am making the bow part split in the middle. Easier on using up lexan scraps that way. I am using thin stuff right now, but I think I want to switch to the thicker stuff. This will work for now. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...26629d5890.jpg

Maggie

Looking Good !