Versa-tops - So Annoyed!!!!

So last week I ordered what I thought was for my 40G breeder tank from Drs.Foster&Smith. Great prices they have. Anywho, it comes and it is in 2 pieces. I guess many breeders have a bar across the top for bracing? Mine does not. So, my fault because I did not read it properly I guess, I go and order the one that says 36" one piece. It came 2 days ago but left it in the box because I knew today was water change day and I was moving the tank. When I put it all back together, I opened the box and right away noticed it would not be wide enough 18", but went to put it on anyway thinking there was another clear panel in the box. There wasn't. Anyway, it is like a smidgen too small and if I put it on, the front piece does not open or close. Trying to see if I put it on wrong, the gosh darn thing broke, luckily no glass in the tank. I emailed them but doubt they will do anything, but what am I doing wrong? What size Aqueon do I need? It is a 36" x 18" tank, so lid probably has to be 35 and change. I can leave tank w/o it but then there are 6 inches open in the back that fish can jump out, snails can climb out, etc. I am now down 46 or so dollars because I cannot use either one.

 

It should be the 36 by 18 one. It also should come with an extension piece.

 

Bummer!
You will need to get the 36 inch glass top, and put the clear back strip on to cover the back, and cut slots for filters and cords.
Here's the link.

 

Is this the one you ordered?


That should work, it comes with a plastic strip that you attached to the glass in the back. You can do cutouts for your heater and filter.

Not sure about why it broke. It seems a fragile item to ship.

 

I bought those for my 125 and they are GREAT!!! You attach the plastic strips on the back and they fit perfect on your tank.

 

First I ordered the one that says 36" x 18" (Mfg# 29051)
Was: $34.20Now: $28.99 and it came in 2 pieces.

Then I ordered the one that says 36" (Mfg# 29036)
Was: $26.99Now: $22.99 and it did not fit and was too short depth wise.

 

First I ordered the one that says 36" x 18" (Mfg# 29051)
Was: $34.20Now: $28.99 and it came in 2 pieces.

Then I ordered the one that says 36" (Mfg# 29036)
Was: $26.99Now: $22.99 and it did not fit and was too short depth wise.

 

Ugh, so sorry I do not know why it posted 3 times. Yes, I swear I ordered the right one, but it does not fit. It is like a piece of rice too wide and me trying to put it on cracked it, and it was not 18 inches wide. It is 12 with a small plastic panel like 3 inches wide so made it 15 ish. I notice under the 36" one it does not list 40G breeder tank.

None of them say 40-G breeder in the chart they have:

The plain old 36 inch one says this:
36" Item #930832 30, 38, 45 gallon 35-1/8" x 4-1/2" 35-1/8" x 4-1/2" - Does not list the 40G Breeder.

The 2-piece one says this:
36" x 18" Item #930845 50brdr, 65 16-7/8" x 5" (2x) panels 16-7/8" x 9-7/16" (2x) panels - Also does not list the 40G breeder.


I do not think they have the 40G breeder one. According to their chart, none of them say 40G Breeder. I was trying to avoid Amazon because they want 60ish bucks for this lid. DrsFosterSmith were so much cheaper.

So this is the hood I bought when I first got the 40G breeder tank. It fits great and works wonderfully but you will see it is 6 inches too short, depth wise, leaving a 6 inch strip on the back or front, that fish can jump out, cats can put their paws in, etc. I had made a cheap plastic piece to put back there but it always fell in the tank. Thank I spent 3 hours making one with plastic canvas and ice cream sticks and zip ties, still fell in the tank. The back of the hood is too wide for those plastic slide on pieces that the Aqueons come with. Can anybody recommend something else to go back there?

 

Oops, you are right. F&S doesn't offer the versatop for 40 breeders.
I got mine at my local Petco, the lid was almost as expensive as the tank on sale.

 

DrsFostersSmith refunded me for the cracked one. They say they do not currently have one for the 40G breeder so I guess I will have to go with Amazon or somewhere else but I am afraid now I will order the wrong one.

 

DFS doesn't carry the top for a 40 gallon breeder. If you have a PetCo, they usually carry the right VersaTop for a 40 gallon breeder and it's $35. If they don't have one in stock, they should be able to order one for you. I have about 10 PetCos near me and most of them carry the top regularly. When I needed one, I ordered a marineland version for $50 shipped and it's too short. I only found out about PetCo carrying the right one AFTER I got one.

 

So, Ugh, also bought 3 for my new 5.5 gallon tanks. Bought the
16" Item #930780 5-1/2 gallon 15-17/32" x 2-7/8" 15-17/32" x 2-7/8" ones seeing as they say 5.5 gallons and my tanks are 16 inches long, but they don't fit either. Grrrrr. They are just a smidge too wide. Maybe when the tank is full of water they will fit better. So annoyed. Honestly, this is frustrating.

 

I found that tops and tanks don't mix so I try to stick with Aqueon brand. If you buy from PetCo, they will price match DFS and Pet Supplies Plus. I got a 5.5g Aqueon and VersaTop for $23 after price matching.

 

So, Ugh, also bought 3 for my new 5.5 gallon tanks. Bought the
16" Item #930780 5-1/2 gallon 15-17/32" x 2-7/8" 15-17/32" x 2-7/8" ones seeing as they say 5.5 gallons and my tanks are 16 inches long, but they don't fit either. Grrrrr. They are just a smidge too wide. Maybe when the tank is full of water they will fit better. So annoyed. Honestly, this is frustrating.

Have the same problem with the five gallon lid as well. Bought two, thinking the first one was defective. Second one was the same. Now it just rests on the top of the tank.

 

I found that tops and tanks don't mix so I try to stick with Aqueon brand. If you buy from PetCo, they will price match DFS and Pet Supplies Plus. I got a 5.5g Aqueon and VersaTop for $23 after price matching.

Not all Petco’s will price match. It’s really against their policies. Only Petco online does. If you got one to do it, your lucky.

“Petco and Unleashed by Petco stores will also match regular and sale prices (excluding Repeat Delivery* pricing) found onpetco. However, we do not match other online sellers and/or websites.”

 

I found the opposite. They will price match competitiors' pricing. Pet Supplies Plus is a local store so they price match in my area (eastern US). DFS is owned by PetCo so they price match PetCo online and DFS at their stores.

I have 10 PetCos within 10 miles of me and never had an issue with them price matching online prices from PetCo, DFS or PSP. They won't price match amazon or chewy though.


Price Matching
The Petco Price Match - Retail Stores
We're committed to providing the highest quality products at the best prices. If you find a lower price for an identical item at any competitor's store, we'll gladly match it. Petco and Unleashed by Petco stores will also match regular and sale prices (excluding Repeat Delivery* pricing) found onpetco. However, we do not match other online sellers and/or websites.

*Customers can take full advantage of Repeat Delivery pricing by setting up a Repeat Delivery subscription for the desired product.

Petco Price Match Policy
Petco will match regular and sale prices found at Petco and Unleashed by Petco stores. We do match prices at the following select online retailers (amazon.com, chewy, jet.com,petsmart, walmart, wag.com, target.com). We do not match prices at other retailers that are not previously listed.

 

Have the same problem with the five gallon lid as well. Bought two, thinking the first one was defective. Second one was the same. Now it just rests on the top of the tank.

I don't know. Right now there is nothing on my 5.5 gallons. I have to figure something out because do not like having a not covered tank or three.

 

I don't know. Right now there is nothing on my 5.5 gallons. I have to figure something out because do not like having a not covered tank or three.

What brand of tanks do you have? Most tops have actual measurements so you can find the right top that fits if it's not the same brand.

You could also get glass cut at Home Depot or Lowes and make a sliding glass top. You could also get plastic canvas from a crafts and hobby shop if you just want to block fish from jumping/escaping. You might need to reinforce it though. Acrylic is another option but it's not cheap and you need to get extruded and not cast acrylic. Cast will warp when humid or wet.

Yep, I went thru the same with my 20 gallon tall, 40 gallon breeder, 20 gallon longs and 10g. I was worried when I got my 75 gallon and ordered the Versatop lid but it fit perfectly (both Aqueon).

 

What brand of tanks do you have? Most tops have actual measurements so you can find the right top that fits if it's not the same brand.

You could also get glass cut at Home Depot or Lowes and make a sliding glass top. You could also get plastic canvas from a crafts and hobby shop if you just want to block fish from jumping/escaping. You might need to reinforce it though. Acrylic is another option but it's not cheap and you need to get extruded and not cast acrylic. Cast will warp when humid or wet.

Yep, I went thru the same with my 20 gallon tall, 40 gallon breeder, 20 gallon longs and 10g. I was worried when I got my 75 gallon and ordered the Versatop lid but it fit perfectly (both Aqueon).

I bought them based off the measurements from the tanks. Dimensions: 16 × 8 × 10" H. Bought the 16" Versa-Lids. Too tight. I can probably force it in there but it will break and even if it does not break, the part you open with the handle they supply will not open. Just a pain in the butt. Now that I have the tanks set up, they really won't work for me. I have to find something else because I have my tanks one by one on a shelf with the 8" up front, so have to find something about 12 or so inches long and 8 inches wide, probably cut plastic or something.