55 Gallon Tank Glass Lid DIY

I recently purchased a new 55 gallon aquarium and wanted to make a glass lid for the tank but I can't seem to find good information on how to address the gaps/holes needed in the back for the canister filter hoses and heater power line. Are there any good recommendations? My plan was to go to a local glass hop and have them make the 4 panels I need (hinged top, left/right on the tank) but I don't have the plastic piece I have used on other tanks to cut the exact size gaps I need along the back. Any advice is appreciated!

 

I built mine sliding using f channel. The back corners that needed it I just cut a 45 degree triangle off the corner

 

24" Aqueon Versa tops should fit if its an Aqueon tank. They come with a plastic that slides on the back of the glass to make cutouts for hoses, wires,etc...

 

I built mine sliding using f channel. The back corners that needed it I just cut a 45 degree triangle off the corner

Thanks! I have debated a sliding lid, does it work well for you? What thickness glass did you use?

 

Thanks! I have debated a sliding lid, does it work well for you? What thickness glass did you use?

Great point, I wasn't thinking about the option to buy (2) 24" pieces. Thank you!

 

I used 1/8" from home Depot. It was available locally in 30"x36" sheets. Doing sliding tops for 20 longs I cut it to about 11-1/4x18" if I remember correctly, this gave me a 3" overlap sliding side to side. The f channel was pretty snug so the bottom piece is locked inside the f channel. I cut the channel the full length of the tank so the right side slides back and forth over the left piece freely. This works well for me because I'm running a spray bar on the right side and a weir on the left. I feed the fish from the right side. To service it I lift the right peice out, buff it clean, then lift the left piece out attached to the f channel and buff It clean. Then I have full access to vacuum the tanks etc.

The alternative style diy sliders is to buy a loose fitting f channel, then dab some silicone on the ends of it to hold it in the rims of the tank. Then both pieces can slide freely over/under each other. This makes accessing the left or right casually more easy, but it's harder to remove the lower piece of glass to get full access.

 

I used 1/8" from home Depot. It was available locally in 30"x36" sheets. Doing sliding tops for 20 longs I cut it to about 11-1/4x18" if I remember correctly, this gave me a 3" overlap sliding side to side. The f channel was pretty snug so the bottom piece is locked inside the f channel. I cut the channel the full length of the tank so the right side slides back and forth over the left piece freely. This works well for me because I'm running a spray bar on the right side and a weir on the left. I feed the fish from the right side. To service it I lift the right peice out, buff it clean, then lift the left piece out attached to the f channel and buff It clean. Then I have full access to vacuum the tanks etc.

The alternative style diy sliders is to buy a loose fitting f channel, then dab some silicone on the ends of it to hold it in the rims of the tank. Then both pieces can slide freely over/under each other. This makes accessing the left or right casually more easy, but it's harder to remove the lower piece of glass to get full access.View attachment 659711

Thank you, that looks awesome. I think I will try something like that!