Glass lid

HI all, I recently got a 75 gallon tank given to me, its a 2004 model tank, I found a sticker on the bottom with a build date beforre I filled it. It did not come with a lid so I went to the hardware store and bought some thin plexiglass and some hinge material and built a lid myself but over time the plexI has started to sag in the middle and is almost to the point of touching the water. I have gone to several aquarium stores to find a glass lid but they all have told me due to the tanks age they don't carry a lid to fit anymore. All of the lids I can find are about 3/8" of an inch too small. I can buy glass at the hardware store to make my own glass lid but it is un tempered glass which I am leary of using in the event it shatters it will fill the tank with glass shards. Any ideas on where to find a lid for an older tank? The glass pieces need to be 16 5/8" x 22 3/4"

 

Depending on what make your tank is you could make sliding glass covers for it, something like this may be possible

 

What are your tank dimensions? I have a 75 gallon that is 48"x18" (the footprint).

 

Amazon has the All Glass Versa Top glass lids (which is owned by Aqueon). I have purchased two of them, and they fit well on non-Aqueon tanks. If you search for Versa Top 48 it brings up a listing for two of their 24x18 lids. However, if you look at the Q & A section, the exact dimensions of each lid is 22 1/8" x 14 1/2". The depth of 14 1/2 is supplemented with a 2 inch plastic edging that can be cut to make it fit better. So this sounds like it is sort of close to what you need.

 

Yea I had those Versa Tops from Amazon in mind as well... I had 2 separate glass lid panels that came with my tank. Unfortunately, one broke so I need to get a replacement also..

 

Honestly those are the best lids I have ever used. Light weight but not flimsy.

 

thanks for the replies, the sliding top idea looks great and easy enough to make

 

How thick should a glass lid for an aquarium be? My tank is a 20 gal long and I want the lid to be roughly 30in x 12in, not fitting inside the lip. I will have to cut a hole for the heater wire and HOB filter. I will have a finnex stingray razor LED light laying diagonally on the lid.
So....how thick should it be? I plan on going to Lowe's so it can be cut there as well.

 

1/8" should be fine honestly. You don't need anything too terribly stout. You could go 1/4" but as long as its just a lid then you won't have any weight on it. Plexiglass is cheaper and might work better for you.

 

Never thought about plexiglass...must research that now!

 

If I were to go with glass, would a 3/32 inch be okay? I haven't seen anything in store, trying to get an idea online, so there might be thicker pieces but just as a precuation.

 

I agree with NavyChief20. I use 1/8” cut glass and it works perfectly. It’s cheaper than plexI too. I tried plexI at first, actually, but it wasn’t thick enough, and it would eventually warp and bow in the middle, touching the water’s surface. I don’t recall the thickness of it, but it was quite flexible.

 

How do you plan on cutting the glass for your heater wire and HOB filter?

 

Be sure to run emery cloth over the cut edges. They will be very sharp.

 

I use 1/4”. but I also have cats and a jumping goldfish.

 

Be sure to run emery cloth over the cut edges. They will be very sharp.

Thunder is absolutely right, Emory cloth (basically cloth backed sandpaper). Those edges will be really sharp.

If you go the plexiglas route you want 1/4" cause it will blow over time. Since it's a 20 gallon you aren't talking about a huge run of plexiglas so you should be ok. Cutting the glass for your filter and heater wire could be tricky.

If you do get glass my recommendation after you Emory the edges is tape off the glass except for a 1/8-1/4" border all the way around. Then get some plastidip from lowes and shoot the glass with that. Nice good edge coverage. This will give you a rubberized edge for your lip and minimize future issues with cut fingers or cords or on your filter.

 

How do you plan on cutting the glass for your heater wire and HOB filter?

This might help.
Diamond Coated Glass Drill Bits

 

I know Lowe's cuts glass at their store, was planning on doing it there.
Lots of responses by the way! Like jeez, thank you everyone! Never knew there was so much information about glass lids lol

 

I’ve bought all of mine on-line, about $30 for a 30X12. Why I like them is the 3-4” plastic back that can be cut with an exacto knife for filter, power cords, air lines. And are hinged in the middle.

But cut glass from Lowe’s is probably cheaper.

 

Found this at Lowes, it's got the exact width, 12in, I would just need to take off 6in on length. As for the holes in the lid, it will be a 2in x 8in rectangle in the corner. I moved the heater next to the filter so there wouldn't be two holes. It's just the feeding hole I need to think about.
I will probably be doing the lid this weekend so any input would be fantastic.
The thickness is my main worry, is it good to go or no?

 

that's about 1/16 in. pretty thin and it would be a royal pain to cut and not break.

 

That's what I was scared of lol. I wonder if I could find a thicker piece of glass somewhere else and have Lowe's cut it...wonder how much they would charge. I say that because the other pieces of glass were the same thickness except for the mirrored kind.

 

have you looked at Ocala Glass and mirror or at Sun Glass and Mirror?

 

Never heard of those stores, gonna have to look them up now. Thank you!

 

they might have something or might be able to point you in the right direction. I know my glass stores are super friendly and helpful here up north....especially when they hear the southern drawl

 

I emailed the Ocala glass and mirror about my lid and the dimensions of it, hopefully I will get a response tomorrow.

 

Sweet! Like I said they may be able to hook you up or they might charge a lot but I bet they know some good glass places. In the end its a networking win cause you learn what's available.

 

Have you ever thought of ordering a glass lid? dr Foster and Smith sells them for aquariums, they are cheap and decent quality. They even come with a plastic lip that can cut for spaces for filters, heater etc. That way you don't have to actually cut glass, so it's probably easier and safer.

 

I did look at those but with how my light is on my tank, I would have to move it every time I open it. I don't plan on doing any of the cutting myself if I can, and I will smooth out the edges or hot glue them to keep them safe.

 

I guess it depends on the top of light that you have. I have some strip light thing that I just placed over the glass so it want that wide and didn’t Obstruct the opening of the tank.

 

Good news! I found this fluorescent lid in my dad's garage made for ceiling lights. He cut it down to size and made the lip on it smaller so it would fit good. The only downside is that it's 14in width wise instead of 12in, but I can live with that lol

 

that my dear is winning

 

Honestly, didn't think it would fit this well! Thank everyone for the glass lid info too, if I ever do decide to get a glass lid for another tank I will come back to this thread!

 

Sorry for kinda reviving an old thread buuuut....the lid cracked on me a few days ago. Guess it was really brittle. I went to a hardware store and got some glass. All the glass stores were closed and the one company I emailed never got back to me. The store said it was 1/8 but when I got home I measured 3/32. It was able to withstand my dad sanding it on the sides, so I think it will be okay. I really like the look though, always wanted a glass lid.
If this doesn't work (glass shatters, too much hassle, etc.) then I will go back to my original greenhouse lid.

 

Does anyone have a trick to get the plastic on the glass? Without slicing your hand open or breaking the glass?

 

You can try and wet the glass a bit, get started on one side and work your way along the glass.
Did that with my two 2 24" panes without issues, and do it every time I need to de-calcify the plastic/glass contact.
Glass is still original and no breakage (knock on wood)

 

It was wet because I was running it under hot water and it still wont go on there. Tried soap too

 

The ones with the plastic edging along the back? I usually clip one corner on, then move downwards bit by bit, almost pushing the plastic down in a lever motion if that makes sense.

 

The ones with the plastic edging along the back? I usually clip one corner on, then move downwards bit by bit, almost pushing the plastic down in a lever motion if that makes sense.

It wont even go on one corner....lol Well it does but like a 1/2 inch and no more. Wont slide at all.

 

Try warming it up with a hair dryer- this was the only way I could get mine malleable enough to slip it on without hurting my hands