View Full Version : Glass hoods don't fit
mcps95
03-07-2005, 12:52 PM
I just purchased some 24" glass hoods for my 55 gal over the weekend, and they are about 1/4" too long to fit in the plastic frame of my tank.
Anyone else ever have this issue? (I figure I could probably get a local glass shop to trim them.)
reiverix
03-07-2005, 12:58 PM
Happened to me. I got my 75g real cheap because the glass covers were missing. The tank sat in my garage for a month while I got the other equipment. Eventually I bought a glass cover and it was too small. The tank is a Perfecto I think, and the cover glass was AGA. I ended up getting the correct size cover glass only to leave them on the floor and standing on them :thud:
To cut a long story short, I went to Lowes and they cut me some new glass.
Each tank brand will be slightly different in dimensions. An All Glass and Hagen are quite different, as I found out. So ideally you need to find the glass that is the same brand as your tank or else it is time to get creative.
mcps95
03-07-2005, 1:09 PM
Unfortunately, mine is a Top-Fin (Petsmart) brand tank, and this store brand doesn't make glass hoods. I've heard these tanks are made by one of the big name-brand manufacturers, but I've tried both All-Glass versa-tops and Perfecto (Marineland) glass hoods and both were about 1/4" too big.
What about Hagen tops? Can you find those?
mcps95
03-07-2005, 3:11 PM
I wasn't aware that Hagen actually made glass hoods. I checked on their website and don't see any mention of them.
spinjector
03-15-2005, 3:57 AM
Yea I bought an All-Glass glass lid for my All-Glass 10 gallon tank and the dumb thing was 1/4" too short and fell into the tank. I returned it.
You need to buy a boxed set for a 55 gallon. They are 23 7/8 inches or something like that. The dimensions for a 55 are slightly smaller because of the center brace. If you buy a 48" inch glass canopy, it will actually contain 2 23 7/8 inch canopies.
cbster
03-15-2005, 5:54 PM
when I bought my glass tops they were 1/4 inch to long so I took them to a glass shop and they cut them down for 5-10 bucks. HTH
spinjector
03-16-2005, 2:24 PM
If you want to make your own glass lids, or replace the worn plastic parts on your existing ones, you can buy the plastic parts separately. This includes the flexible plastic hinge, that plastic strip along the back that you cut shapes in to let hoses and cords into the tank, and the handles.
I found them at "Drs. Foster & Smith" (I hate that name, it's so pretentious!) (formerly Pet Warehouse); you can see them here - it's the last four items listed on the page:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=3790&N=2004+113082
debrab1954
07-18-2005, 1:22 PM
where would i find a glass canopy to fit a 55 gal.48x 12 with a brace i tried drfoster&smith but they were not sure of the size i would need i dont know why it is just a standard 55 gal.would a 48" compact fluorescent 110 watt light fit on it thanks
Mykayel
07-18-2005, 3:46 PM
If you want, you could just go to a local glass supplier (i.e. Miller Glass or someone similar who does windows, Lowe's will be over priced) and have them cut a piece or two to the exact dimensions you want. Just get two pieces that slightly overlap and then instead of having a hinge you just slide one on top of the other when you go to feed your fish. The only think you will need is a handle. That's what I was going to do but instead I built the glass into my custom made hood to enclose the lights instead of the glass sitting right on the top of the tank.
maaltan
07-18-2005, 4:25 PM
If you want, you could just go to a local glass supplier (i.e. Miller Glass or someone similar who does windows, Lowe's will be over priced) and have them cut a piece or two to the exact dimensions you want. Just get two pieces that slightly overlap and then instead of having a hinge you just slide one on top of the other when you go to feed your fish. The only think you will need is a handle. That's what I was going to do but instead I built the glass into my custom made hood to enclose the lights instead of the glass sitting right on the top of the tank.
hmm. Sorry, but I don't like that idea. Maybe for small tanks or something. glass will flex. over a larger gallon tank the tiny lip that most hoods rest on is insignificant. gravity itself may be enough to make the glass sag enough to fall in or worse snap. A half of sheet will put a good possibility that the glass will only be on the 2 end lips. a full sheet or hinged would be better since you cant accedently pull it off a lip. use a plastic sheet, easy to drill and install a hinge.
i hate glass myself. detest it with a passion. even if someone in the room is handling the glass i end up finding small cuts all over me. I prefer the thicker lexan (polycarbonate). I have 3/8" on my 20g. It is harder to cut. I have snap cut it but its edge needs a lot of work. Cut it with a fine toothed jigsaw while spraying the blade with water (a second person is handy) if you start smelling burnt plastic pull the blade out before you stop or it will freeze in the molten plastic and you might never get it out. key is go slowly and keep blade wet. blade not saw .. dont want to zap yorself.
Acrylic (plexiglass) seems to absorb moisture and warp significantly pretty quickly .. plus it runs. if you accedently crack it or bump it will run like glass. not as quickly mind you but will eventually snap.
Just my 2c :)
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oops forgot something. you can get glass/plastic sheets CHEAP if you have good timing or are willing to wait. I got the 3/8 lexan for my 20 for about $3 and had enough left over to make a 10g and 5g hood. Just ask them if they have any scraps. This works at lowes too probably better because the price isnt fixed. I got a 18"x48" piece of plexi for a $1. if you can flirt probably get it cheaper
Mykayel
07-18-2005, 7:36 PM
hmm. Sorry, but I don't like that idea. Maybe for small tanks or something. glass will flex. over a larger gallon tank the tiny lip that most hoods rest on is insignificant. gravity itself may be enough to make the glass sag enough to fall in or worse snap. A half of sheet will put a good possibility that the glass will only be on the 2 end lips. a full sheet or hinged would be better since you cant accedently pull it off a lip. use a plastic sheet, easy to drill and install a hinge.
i hate glass myself. detest it with a passion.
It sounds as if you are just scared of glass. Plastics are a fine alternative, but even if you were trying to span 48" as I did when making my hood with 1/4" glass, it will sag but its not going to break. If you are worried about it breaking just buy a little bit thicker glass. But what I was suggesting, it would always be supported on at least three sides so you will never have an issue with sagging. And yes the lips are "small", but you can have them cut it whatever side you want, tell them within a 1/16" and I'm sure they will do it.
Shawna
07-18-2005, 7:48 PM
Thought id share an interesting cover suggestion i saw on a tank. Ever see that plastic mesh stuff that you do needle work on, and you can cut it to form boxes and stuff?? Well I saw someone with it made to fit there tank, wool stiching to hold the "box" sides together, and it just neetly sat ontop of the tank. I thought that idea was unique, but I think id want to completely stich it to cover the white plastic in black yarn or something. Just an idea. ;)