Preventing Carpet Divers - Cover on 29g Tank

[AquaStudent]

I've got my DIY LED fixture up on my 29g tank and everything is getting settled. I'd really like to get some pencilfish but from what I've heard they like to carpet-dive.

Requirements for my "cover"
1) Prevent fish from jumping out
2) Not significantly reduce the amount of light coming into the tank.
3) Be easily removed (or opened) to allow for easy feeding, water changes, and maintenance
4) Modifiable to fit the canister filter inlet/outlet, wires, and DIY c02.
5) Fit within/under my light fixture

Here's a look at the tank from a couple of weeks ago to get an idea of what I have set up for the light canopy.



Some solutions I've thought of are as follows and I'd like to hear your stories and opinions.

1) Egg Crate/Light Diffuser - This stuff is pretty inexpensive but I don't want to be cutting down on the light too much into the tank. Plus, I'd rather not see it protruding out from the top of the tank.

2) Acrylic Sheeting - cut to size. This will be a bit more expensive but it will be hidden by the trim. I used acrylic sheeting on my 55g which worked out well but the pannels on that would be smaller. I'd probably have to go with around .25" thick acrylic to prevent a lot of warping. It will help cut down on the amount of evaporation from the tank.

3) Wire Top (Reptile Top) - This seems like an easy commercial product to cover the tank. It may be trickier to cut the openings for the filter inserts, especially still allowing the top to be removed.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[Hannibal]

I would just go with the acrylic. You have already used it before and were successful, plus like you listed, it will cut down on the evaporation where the others will not. If I remember correctly pencil fish are pretty small, they could probably still fit between the egg crate if they tried hard enough.

 

[jonclark96]

Why not use glass tops and trim the plastic piece that fits on the back to accommodate your hardware?

 

[Jmty]

i use acrylic and cut to fit in the tank rim,cutting openings for accessories,if you want pics let me know.

 

[Tony]

Why not use glass tops and trim the plastic piece that fits on the back to accommodate your hardware?

+1 for glass tops.

They will do the best job at minimizing evaporation as well.

 

[Becca]

+1 for glass tops.

They will do the best job at minimizing evaporation as well.

+1

And they're easy to clean.

In a pinch, I've used glad press n' seal wrap to make sure the back of a tank is tightly sealed... I had to, those Betta potati are escape artists!!!

 

[AquaStudent]

Update with options

Sounds good. I'll see what the marketplace here has to offer.

Just to record this the dimensions of the lid will fit an opening 29-1/4"x11-3/4" with a maximum thickness of 3/8".

Right now it looks like Drs Foster and Smith have a 1 month backorder on my size so that's not an option.

Glass Cages will run at about $20 and use translucent plastic for the hinge (which is a nice touch)
http://www.glasscages.com/?sAction=ViewCat&lCatID=27

It looks like Petco doesn't carry anything larger than a 10g/20XH top. I'll be running over to the local store anyway to get some bags so I'll see what they have (although I'd rather not buy there).

I may also take a trip over to Annandale Superpets to see if they have anything viable. I wish they'd set up their fish room too...but that's another story

For DIY options these are the materials from the Lowes Website.
2'4"x2'6" Clear Acrylic Sheet ~$15. However it is .08" thick and I don't think that will be sturdy enough to support it's own weight over the span. The thickness I used before was a larger sheet of 3/32" thick. That was expensive...very expensive

The other "option" is the Lexan product, .093"x28"x30" running $34.
http://www.lowes.com/pd_60407-1638-...uctId=3143411&Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1

I think this is not a DIY worthy project.

Thanks for the help guys

 

[Owens]

House of tropicals Carries universal hoods, I had one in the 55g I just sold. I'm sure they have small sizes.

Sent from my VS840 4G using MonsterAquariaNetwork App

 

[AquaStudent]

I ended up picking up a glass top at Petco for $22. It has an opaque brown hinge that I'm not a huge fan of but the effect is only noticeable if looking from the side at the floating plants or when the fish passes through the small shadow.

I may try and plan out a DIY hinge using the glass but we will see...

I do like the rigidness of glass over thin acrylic though.