Glass covers for 210 tank being cut at Lowes for $15

I use 3/16" glass cut to size at the local glass shop and buy the hinge and clear backsplash onlibe from Dr. F&S. Drawer pulls and epoxy for handles.
Lowe's sells a dirt-cheap plastic channel that works well for sliding tops. I made one for my 30 long a couple years ago, then eventually went to a regular versa-top because I had used 1/8" glass and it sagged in the middle.
I tried gluing 2 1/8" pieces together with superglue to keep it from sagging. Works, but over time algae actually grows between the sheets of glass... :shakehead:
 
I don't think those electrically conducting gutter guards are for me and I would be careful touching them with electric lights on top,
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Huh? And water isn't electrically conducting? Don't see the issue, the lights never touch the gutter guards, I dont think you understand the setup. I use glass panels like you with the hinged gutter guards on the front of the glass panels, they are ony about 5 " wide. The lights sit on the glass not the gutter guards.

And if you want to do-it-yourself a hood for a light fixture, plastic gutters work great as well and cheap too.

Picture one of those plastic and glass cover setups with the glass where the lights sits and the hinged black plastic covers that you open up to feed your fish etc. The gutter guard materail takes place of the plastic covers.
 
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I tried gluing 2 1/8" pieces together with superglue to keep it from sagging. Works, but over time algae actually grows between the sheets of glass... :shakehead:
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Silicone the edges and then put on plastic U channel around the edges,I had my glass cut at ACE for my 125 for under 25 bucks from there scrap pieces.
 
Hey your right without a photo of the setup its hard to imagine an aluminum gutter guard over a tank. I just assumed you would have light fixtures sitting atop an aluminum metal grate that you would have to repeatedly touch by hand just to see what was going on:eek3:. But if I got it wrong and it works Id like to see a photo cause I love new innovative ideas. Maybe the stuff can be used over a pound where glass is not practical.

Im going to Walmart to do some shopping and plan to pick up some of those adhesive towl hooks, maybe Ill spray them black.
 
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CWO4GUNNER said:
I tried 1/4" Poly covers on my 120 tank and when the edges are warping up like old plywood they are falling in the tank. Suffice it to say Ill never use Poly as covers on any tank again. I do hawer admit that a tank made of Poly is very light weight, durable, and strong.
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Works good for smaller tanks, most of mine are 20 Longs...

I have some 1/2" that i am going to cut up for lids on the 125
 
1/2" should be allot stiffer but pricey unless you got it free. I also like the weight of glass also as plexi seems to be on the light side when sliding around. One great thing about Poly is that minerals just wipe off clean with no deposits. I just think the stuff goes to better use making overflow boxes or light housing covers.
 
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You can see the two clips above, these clip onto the plate glass.

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I couldn't get all three sections of the 125 in the photo, but this kinda gives you an idea.....
 
Oh Ok, so you able to easily custom cut the stuff and perhaps it even lets in light. can also see where it might be a good alternative to the clear plastic back-splash plastic that has to be custom cut for hoses and HOBs. For me the only problem would be evaporation but if its string enough one could still lay a layer of clear plastic painters canvass on top. I might try that stuff, what should I ask for at the hardware store?
 
Just ask for semi round gutter covers. Evaporation is not too much a concern of mine as its a discus tank getting a 50% water change every other day if not more. I just cut the stuff with snips/wire cutters. Its only about 5" wide so you just cut your glass panels that much shorter. Makes great doors for the top covers.......
 
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