|
-
DIY Sliding Glass Lids
3
After while searching for new lids, everywhere I looked people were complaining about the plastic hinges on "hinged" lids breaking after a few years. I decided to make my own glass lids.
First, I knew I wanted them to slide front to back (back to front in my case) so after measuring the width and length I added 3/4" to the length to allow for an overlap. I picked up the glass at my local Lowes and had them cut the 4 pieces to size. I then went to the wall board area and found "outside corner moulding" for wall board. It has a groove to place one pane of glass in that won't be the "slider".
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Sequentia-0...ulding/4768283
The one thing Lowe's doesn't do is smooth the VERY sharp edges of the cut glass for you. I just took a block of wood and regular sand paper (200 grit I believe, but 100 would work as well) and sanding the edges until they weren't sharp. Don't forget the corners also! Take one pane and place each side into the channel on the moulding, then set it on the tank. The other pane (the slider) is placed on top of the moulding. I decided to add handles to the "sliders" and picked up a pair at my LFS as well as 4ft of clear back edging. I decided to silicone the back edging to the "sliders".
In total I think this project cost me around $20 for both sides of the tank and about 2hrs total time, including the trip to Lowes.
* 100gal show
- planted w/ Crypts, Vals, Java Fern, Staurogyne repens and Amazon Swords
- Neons, 4 Angelfish, Sunset Honey Gourami, BN Pleco, Spotted Sailfin
Pleco, Odessa Barbs, Corydoras schwartzi, Serpae Tetras, Silver tip tetras
* Fluval Spec V
- Dwarf Gourami, , 1 Kuhli loach, 2 Black Phantom Tetras
- planted w/ Crypts
-
2
Nice DIY thread, thanks for taking the time to share.
10 Gallon Beginner Tank... Journal
40 Gallon Breeder: ... Journal
29 Gallon: ... Journal
“If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went” - Will Rogers
-
2
I agree, thanks for sharing. I want to do this to most of our 10 gallon tanks. We tried to cut the glass ourselves but had a massive failure. Getting them cut at the hardware store is much smarter. Hope you can upload some photos of your project soon.
-
2
 Originally Posted by Boundava
I agree, thanks for sharing. I want to do this to most of our 10 gallon tanks. We tried to cut the glass ourselves but had a massive failure. Getting them cut at the hardware store is much smarter. Hope you can upload some photos of your project soon.
The first 3 cuts by Lowes is free. I can't remember how much it was for each additional cut but it wasn't a big amount.
I'll try to get some pics uploaded later today after work!
* 100gal show
- planted w/ Crypts, Vals, Java Fern, Staurogyne repens and Amazon Swords
- Neons, 4 Angelfish, Sunset Honey Gourami, BN Pleco, Spotted Sailfin
Pleco, Odessa Barbs, Corydoras schwartzi, Serpae Tetras, Silver tip tetras
* Fluval Spec V
- Dwarf Gourami, , 1 Kuhli loach, 2 Black Phantom Tetras
- planted w/ Crypts
-
0
Sorry for the delay, but here's a photo of the lids.....
20190119_142504a.jpg
20190103_172012a.jpg
I should've taken pics along the way but once I start a project I very rarely remember to stop and take pics along the way. They are VERY good at keeping evaporation to a minimum. I use to have about 7-10 gallons evaporate in the winter months between WC's (every 2 weeks) but now it's down to maybe 1 gallon (if that) as they fit much tighter that the hinge lids.
If anyone has any questions feel free to ask. This was pretty straight forward as Lowes had the edging and glass. The handles and silicone were from my LFS.
Last edited by Law Dog; 03-04-2019 at 08:24 PM.
* 100gal show
- planted w/ Crypts, Vals, Java Fern, Staurogyne repens and Amazon Swords
- Neons, 4 Angelfish, Sunset Honey Gourami, BN Pleco, Spotted Sailfin
Pleco, Odessa Barbs, Corydoras schwartzi, Serpae Tetras, Silver tip tetras
* Fluval Spec V
- Dwarf Gourami, , 1 Kuhli loach, 2 Black Phantom Tetras
- planted w/ Crypts
-
0
So you used the same back plastic trim(s), from a store-bought glass aquarium lids?
10 Gallon Beginner Tank... Journal
40 Gallon Breeder: ... Journal
29 Gallon: ... Journal
“If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went” - Will Rogers
-
0
 Originally Posted by Slaphppy7
So you used the same back plastic trim(s), from a store-bought glass aquarium lids?
No, sorry I should've mentioned that I bought new back trim pieces from myLFS also. The black ones from my old hinge lids were cut up from my old set up and I wanted to make this as tight as possible to keep evaporation to a minimum. Plus, these are translucent which should allow more light to seep through.
* 100gal show
- planted w/ Crypts, Vals, Java Fern, Staurogyne repens and Amazon Swords
- Neons, 4 Angelfish, Sunset Honey Gourami, BN Pleco, Spotted Sailfin
Pleco, Odessa Barbs, Corydoras schwartzi, Serpae Tetras, Silver tip tetras
* Fluval Spec V
- Dwarf Gourami, , 1 Kuhli loach, 2 Black Phantom Tetras
- planted w/ Crypts
-
1
All of the back trim pieces I've ever had (with glass lid kits) have been translucent, no experience with the black ones
Maybe a "brand" thing with the type you get in the kit
10 Gallon Beginner Tank... Journal
40 Gallon Breeder: ... Journal
29 Gallon: ... Journal
“If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went” - Will Rogers
-
1
 Originally Posted by Slaphppy7
All of the back trim pieces I've ever had (with glass lid kits) have been translucent, no experience with the black ones
Maybe a "brand" thing with the type you get in the kit
I've only had black ones, lol. I agree that it must be a "brand" thing.
After making these, I will never have another store bought lid. Not only are they easy to make with standard tools and materials, they're a lot easier to clean because they're each a seperate piece. No more dealing with 2 pieces of glass connected by a hinge made of plastic. Plus, there's no plastic to break unless you take the rails off and abuse them.
* 100gal show
- planted w/ Crypts, Vals, Java Fern, Staurogyne repens and Amazon Swords
- Neons, 4 Angelfish, Sunset Honey Gourami, BN Pleco, Spotted Sailfin
Pleco, Odessa Barbs, Corydoras schwartzi, Serpae Tetras, Silver tip tetras
* Fluval Spec V
- Dwarf Gourami, , 1 Kuhli loach, 2 Black Phantom Tetras
- planted w/ Crypts
-
0
I'm sure the DIY lid is much less expensive, as well
10 Gallon Beginner Tank... Journal
40 Gallon Breeder: ... Journal
29 Gallon: ... Journal
“If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went” - Will Rogers
Posting Permissions
- You may not post new threads
- You may not post replies
- You may not post attachments
- You may not edit your posts
-
Forum Rules
|
|