Wow I am surprised to hear the plexiglass warps all the time. Are your tanks especially hot, like 80 or above? I don't like the idea of it warping so I may end up replacing it with glass, we'll have to see.
DIY Cover Question
- Thread starter Captain Hook
- Start date
I think it's more the fact that the plexiglass isn't in a frame and only supported on 3 sides, it actually sags. 74-82 temp doesn't seem to matter. Try it, you can change later if you want.
Look into reflective acrylic. Home Depot sells sheets of acrylic that are mirrored on one side. Easy to cut to size, easy to attach, not too expensive. Run a bead of silicone around the perimeter to prevent water from getting behind it, and you're set. It will be used in my next canopy--much easier than glass!
My LFS sells those glass tops fairly inexpensive and they do not have a black strip in them. But be careful. I bought one for a 5 gallon. It fits my 5 gallon hagen but not the 5 gallon All Glass.
Plexi will actually block more UV than regular glass, so you loose some of the important part of the light.
Plexi will actually block more UV than regular glass, so you loose some of the important part of the light.
Well I have bought some acrylic from Home Depot but am starting to get really confused by what I am hearing. OG I didn't see reflective acylic when I was there but also wasn't looking for it (read this too late). If you were looking from above into the tank it will be clear but from underneath it is mirrored?
TKOS you think the acylic will block some light from entering the tank? That's what I really don't want. I know Home Depot is good about returns so I might check out the lfs and see if they have any glass covers with clear strips. I don't think they do though.
TKOS you think the acylic will block some light from entering the tank? That's what I really don't want. I know Home Depot is good about returns so I might check out the lfs and see if they have any glass covers with clear strips. I don't think they do though.
All plastics have the ability to block some levels of light, and this is in the uv range. Of course there are also acrylics that are have extra uv blockers built into them as well. If the light output is high enough then regular acrylic shouldn't be too much of a bother, but if your light levels are borderline then it might be a bit too much.
Oh I see OG thanks for clearing that up. What I really need to worry about is a reflector for the light I think. Tomorrow I will go and check a hydroponics store near me, I heard they have stuff called reflective mylar that is really good.
TKOS the plastic appears clear enough, but I guess that really doesn't mean much. I don't think it will block much light though.
With 2 watts per gallon I'm planning on growing plants like egeria densa, dwarf sag, asian ambulia, and hydrocotlye leucophelia. I will need all the light I can get but am not that worried about the acylic after what I have heard. Also, it will be supported on all 4 sides and will only be 12" wide so I think it won't bend or warp much either.
TKOS the plastic appears clear enough, but I guess that really doesn't mean much. I don't think it will block much light though.
With 2 watts per gallon I'm planning on growing plants like egeria densa, dwarf sag, asian ambulia, and hydrocotlye leucophelia. I will need all the light I can get but am not that worried about the acylic after what I have heard. Also, it will be supported on all 4 sides and will only be 12" wide so I think it won't bend or warp much either.
