|
02/24/2018, 12:25 PM | #1 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 187
|
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. Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk |
02/24/2018, 02:48 PM | #2 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Miller Place, NY
Posts: 7,206
|
__________________
250 gallon mixed reef, 2 Reefbreeder's Photon V 2, Deepwater BLDC 12, DAS EX-3 Skimmer, MTC mini cal, 2-3/4" Sea Swirls, Aquacontroller & 6 Tunze pumps. |
02/24/2018, 04:39 PM | #3 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 14,655
|
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.
__________________
There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD |
02/24/2018, 05:06 PM | #4 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 682
|
Quote:
__________________
diana |
|
02/24/2018, 06:13 PM | #5 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 14,655
|
Weldon, most acrylic suppliers will have it.
__________________
There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD |
02/24/2018, 09:49 PM | #6 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 187
|
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.
Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk |
02/25/2018, 09:52 AM | #7 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Venice Island, FL
Posts: 2,532
|
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.
__________________
John 100 gallon DT and 50 gallon sump with refugium. Reefbreeders Photon V2+. |
02/25/2018, 09:57 AM | #8 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 187
|
Quote:
Maggie |
|
02/25/2018, 10:43 AM | #9 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Venice Island, FL
Posts: 2,532
|
Quote:
__________________
John 100 gallon DT and 50 gallon sump with refugium. Reefbreeders Photon V2+. |
|
02/25/2018, 11:58 AM | #10 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Miller Place, NY
Posts: 7,206
|
IF you decide to go with Artfully a simple template could be sent to them for dimensions & the bow.
__________________
250 gallon mixed reef, 2 Reefbreeder's Photon V 2, Deepwater BLDC 12, DAS EX-3 Skimmer, MTC mini cal, 2-3/4" Sea Swirls, Aquacontroller & 6 Tunze pumps. |
02/25/2018, 01:04 PM | #11 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 14,655
|
Yep, just trace onto cardboard or construction paper or something.
__________________
There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD |
02/25/2018, 01:07 PM | #12 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 14,655
|
Quote:
Also keep in mind some stainless is poor quality and can still rust out.
__________________
There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD |
|
02/26/2018, 04:01 PM | #13 |
Grizzled & Cynical
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Stamford, CT
Posts: 17,319
|
I'm not sure what artfully acrylic uses, despite the name , but acrylic warps like the devil. Most use polycarbonate sheeting (lexan) where warping is a potential problem.
__________________
Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs |
02/26/2018, 06:28 PM | #14 |
My reef tanks my wallet
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Portland
Posts: 571
|
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.
__________________
300g custom acrylic from James 72x36x27, 4 Mitras Lx7 &6 a360, 2 Stream 3s, C2C beananimal. 100g sump, Jebao DCP- 8000 (Vectra M1 died) -> 114w aquauv -> SRO 5000ext , varios8 return Current Tank Info: Me v Dinos - I'm winning for now... |
02/26/2018, 08:10 PM | #15 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 14,655
|
Quote:
__________________
There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD |
|
02/27/2018, 04:21 AM | #16 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Upstate NY
Posts: 5,313
|
Quote:
Heck the cover on my overflow would look like a U if I didn't flip it from time to time.
__________________
80G SCA Build: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2560256 Originally posted by der_wille_zur_macht: "He's just taking his lunch to work" |
|
02/27/2018, 02:13 PM | #17 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 120
|
Yeah I tried to make a lid for my nano and in a couple of weeks the acrylic was a complete U lol
|
02/27/2018, 05:19 PM | #18 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 14,655
|
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.
__________________
There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD |
02/27/2018, 05:52 PM | #19 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 682
|
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
__________________
diana |
02/27/2018, 06:12 PM | #20 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 594
|
|
02/27/2018, 06:36 PM | #21 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 14,655
|
Quote:
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.
__________________
There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD |
|
02/28/2018, 08:28 AM | #22 |
Grizzled & Cynical
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Stamford, CT
Posts: 17,319
|
Yes, that's what I would have thought. I guess 'artfully polycarbonate' just isn't as catchy a name.
__________________
Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs |
03/01/2018, 06:07 PM | #23 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 594
|
They also make tanks which I assume is the reason for the name!
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk |
03/05/2018, 07:58 AM | #24 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 187
|
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.
Maggie |
03/05/2018, 08:52 AM | #25 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Miller Place, NY
Posts: 7,206
|
Looking Good !
__________________
250 gallon mixed reef, 2 Reefbreeder's Photon V 2, Deepwater BLDC 12, DAS EX-3 Skimmer, MTC mini cal, 2-3/4" Sea Swirls, Aquacontroller & 6 Tunze pumps. |
|
|