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Unread 11/11/2018, 09:09 PM   #1
FishNDip
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Question Fish tank top?

Looking to get a fish tank top for my 36 gal bow tank. Glass or acrylic?


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Unread 11/12/2018, 05:56 AM   #2
mcgyvr
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Glass because it rhymes with grass


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Unread 11/12/2018, 06:31 AM   #3
alton
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You could always try Lexan


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Unread 11/12/2018, 07:15 AM   #4
mcgyvr
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Quote:
Originally Posted by alton View Post
You could always try Lexan
Acrylic in general is a better choice vs Lexan for our applications..
Acrylic is less likely to scratch, more rigid, better light transmission, basically immune to yellowing over time,etc...


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Unread 11/12/2018, 08:33 AM   #5
alton
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mcgyvr you are one of the most informative members on here but you have this one reversed? Acrylic is plexiglass, Lexan is a brand of Polycarbonate. Polycarbonate is twice as strong, doesn't yellow, warp, or scratch as easily. I have been using it on my 65 for three years with no issues.


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Unread 11/12/2018, 04:21 PM   #6
jbfloor
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Quote:
Originally Posted by alton View Post
mcgyvr you are one of the most informative members on here but you have this one reversed? Acrylic is plexiglass, Lexan is a brand of Polycarbonate. Polycarbonate is twice as strong, doesn't yellow, warp, or scratch as easily. I have been using it on my 65 for three years with no issues.
This site has a good overview.
https://www.acplasticsinc.com/inform...xan-vs-acrylic

The biggest issue I ran in to is that one of the two sags over time. I cannot remember which, but from the above site I suspect it was the polycarb one.

Now, another big issue is that these plates are impossible to clean without scratching them and salt buildup will inevitably damage them. I only keep a plexi plate over my QT tank, but the loss in light intensity is way too much to ever do this over my display tank.


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Unread 11/12/2018, 05:12 PM   #7
FishNDip
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Would plexi glass do fine also?


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Unread 11/12/2018, 06:05 PM   #8
alton
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Plexiglass will sag in time. The top I have posted is 1/8” x 20” x 36” and has not sagged in three years and still Crystal clear. If you cut plexiglass and then polycarbonate you will learn very fast that the polycarbonate is much harder. I tried 1/4” x 12” x 12” plexiglass once for the top of my wetdry and it sagged.


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Unread 11/12/2018, 08:00 PM   #9
BeachVacationer
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You probably know already but covering your tank may raise the temp.


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Unread 11/12/2018, 08:08 PM   #10
mcgyvr
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Quote:
Originally Posted by alton View Post
mcgyvr you are one of the most informative members on here but you have this one reversed? Acrylic is plexiglass, Lexan is a brand of Polycarbonate. Polycarbonate is twice as strong, doesn't yellow, warp, or scratch as easily. I have been using it on my 65 for three years with no issues.
No..I don't have it reversed.
Check your facts


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Unread 11/13/2018, 06:54 AM   #11
alton
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Here is a picture I took this morning of my top on my plan table. You will notice after three years there is no yellowing and it is still clear. Which is amazing since I clean with paper towels and glass cleaner. Am I the only one in this post that has a acrylic or polycarbonate top on their tank? I also included a couple sumps I built over the years with acrylic except for the cover over the drip tray which is polycarbonate because it doesn't warp.


Attached Images
File Type: jpg top 2.jpg (76.6 KB, 16 views)
File Type: jpg TOP.jpg (37.9 KB, 14 views)
File Type: jpg sump 8-8-18r.jpg (50.5 KB, 18 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_1461.jpg (43.2 KB, 12 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_1463 (2).jpg (43.3 KB, 10 views)
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Unread 11/13/2018, 07:04 AM   #12
NikonN8
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What's the chance you can cut out the rectangular portion and install a section of nylon mesh for ventilation?


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Unread 11/13/2018, 09:47 AM   #13
mcgyvr
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Quote:
Originally Posted by alton View Post
Here is a picture I took this morning of my top on my plan table. You will notice after three years there is no yellowing and it is still clear. Which is amazing since I clean with paper towels and glass cleaner. Am I the only one in this post that has a acrylic or polycarbonate top on their tank? I also included a couple sumps I built over the years with acrylic except for the cover over the drip tray which is polycarbonate because it doesn't warp.
I should have been a bit more specific.. I'll clarify a bit..
I stated that "in general" acrylic is better for our applications because of the reasons I stated..
Thats not to say that polycarbonate cannot be used..
In applications where MH lighting may be used.. It can/will yellow from UV exposure..
It does scratch slightly easier due to its slightly "softer" properties (which is what helps it be far more impact resistant vs acrylic.. but we don't need bulletproof properties here)..
Its cost is also higher..

Cast acrylic is a much better choice for sump construction and basically all other things aquarium related..
With one potential exception....
When just a single thin sheet is going to be used it can be a good option for a tank cover due to its lower moisture absorption which can help prevent it bowing like unbraced acrylic will..
Adding some bracing to an acrylic sheet will also yield a good cover that won't warp and likely be cheaper,etc... too.

So yeah. For this specific application PC may be a good choice if the "cons" of it aren't a "con" to you...My generalizations were still correct and not reversed though


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Unread 11/13/2018, 10:02 AM   #14
Uncle99
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My tank has never run better until I took that stupid top off.
PH went up, ease of access up, coral growth up, cleaning down, light longevity up.
Since the tank is peaceful and I have no jumpers, never again will I put on a top.


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Unread 11/13/2018, 10:24 AM   #15
mcgyvr
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Uncle99 View Post
My tank has never run better until I took that stupid top off.
PH went up, ease of access up, coral growth up, cleaning down, light longevity up.
Since the tank is peaceful and I have no jumpers, never again will I put on a top.
That is certainly good info to put in a topic about adding a top..
It most certainly has potential "cons" to it..

Besides helping with evaporation, keeping jumpers in the tank and salt spray mitigation it serves no purpose and can certainly trap heat/prevent gas exchange,etc...


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Unread 11/13/2018, 10:37 AM   #16
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For jumpers, just use netting. I've lost more fish to jumping than anything else. Even with netting they managed to find little gaps. Wrasses are obvious notorious jumpers, but I once had to save my blue tang who got spooked and jumped behind the tank. It took me three minutes to find him and he looked awful for a couple of weeks, but has since fully recovered.


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Unread 11/13/2018, 11:43 AM   #17
dkevink
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Glass/acrylic for jumpers or evaporation control?


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Unread 11/13/2018, 11:46 AM   #18
mcgyvr
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dkevink View Post
Glass/acrylic for jumpers or evaporation control?
Glass/Acrylic for evaporation/splash control.. (but remember it blocks gas exchange which can be quite important..(Carbon dioxide/Oxygen/Nitrogen,etc...)
Netting is all you need for jumper protection..


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Unread 11/13/2018, 01:13 PM   #19
dkevink
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I always just use egg crate. Cheap doesn’t block air flow.


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Unread 11/13/2018, 10:49 PM   #20
WVfishguy
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dkevink View Post
I always just use egg crate. Cheap doesn’t block air flow.
I was wondering why no one suggested this. I want as much O2 exchange as possible, so I never use solid tops on salt water tanks.

Aside from restricting gas exchange, any solid covering - glass or plastic - will get salt creep, scratches, cracks/breakage and raises temps considerably. Egg crate is super easy to work with, does not block light, and keeps jumpers in the tank.


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Unread 11/14/2018, 06:07 AM   #21
alton
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I found this old video which I thought was funny
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hsls...ature=youtu.be


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Unread 11/14/2018, 06:26 AM   #22
homer1475
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dkevink View Post
I always just use egg crate. Cheap doesn’t block air flow.

Eggcrate or more specifically light diffuser will block light(hence the name), and the holes are large enough for fish to jump through. Thats why no one ever suggests it for tank tops.


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Unread 11/14/2018, 09:10 AM   #23
NaasReefer
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I have an acrylic top on my 120gal tank. The main reason is to reduce evaporation which it does very well. It also reduces the amount of dust etc that gets into the tank. I run my LEDs a bit higher as it reduces light intensity. I'm not worried about gas exchange as the sump is uncovered with good flow through it and the skimmer also allows for gas exchange. The tank being warmer is a pro for me as I live in a colder climate so this reduces the amount of time my heater is on. (On average I only worry about high temperature for a week every year)


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Unread 11/14/2018, 12:13 PM   #24
WVfishguy
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Quote:
Originally Posted by homer1475 View Post
Eggcrate or more specifically light diffuser will block light(hence the name), and the holes are large enough for fish to jump through. Thats why no one ever suggests it for tank tops.
I don't know what you're calling egg crate, but mine does not block light - it may diffuse it, I can't tell. And I've never had a saltwater fish small enough to jump through it. The fish would have to be the size of a small guppy, and a darned athletic little bugger.


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Unread 11/14/2018, 01:49 PM   #25
homer1475
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Light diffuser/eggcrate exactly what it is. Go to lowes or HD and look for it, it's in the lighting section and labeled light diffuser. It's meant to go on industial lighting fixtures, and it is large enough for fish to jump through. Believe me or not, just do a search on here.



https://www.eplastics.com/Plastic/li...iABEgKwaPD_BwE


5/16" X 23 5/8" x 47 5/8" White Egg Crate Ceiling Lighting Panel. Eggcrate Louvers are appropriate for areas where brightness control is not critical. Large areas of ceiling can economically be covered to provide a sense of lightness and space. Different styles of Eggcrate Louvers are available to meet your particular needs and budget.


Google search for Light diffuser panels



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