DIY Lid for Fluval Flex 32.5

Bear Claw · Feb 3, 2023

I have been using an adjustable window screen for my aquarium, procrastinating getting a real lid. Well, it finally died, and I need a new one. The tank is 32.5 inches x 14 inches. It has a sort of rounded back filter (I'll put a picture below). I was originally going to buy the Red Sea custom lid kit, but I didn't know if it would work with the back sump. If any of you are going to say to go lidless, I'm not going to. I have 2 clowns and a firefish at the moment, which are both jumpers. Any suggestions? I'm also willing to do a glass/acrylic lid if necessary. Thank you!

Cincyreefer513 · Feb 3, 2023

I have the BRS screen kit and it does the trick. I used the extra elbows to allow for the back compartment to stay open for skimmer, ato, etc. Because of the weird design, I'm not able to get the screen 100% tight in the corners, but that's strictly cosmetic.

Btw, nice scape!

Cincyreefer513 · Feb 3, 2023

I guess you might want a full lid shot too. I did add a little painters tape to the sides in the front because there is a slight gap due to the wavemaker wires, but honestly the tape stopped sticking after a while so I haven't bothered with it since. For the back sides, I made the screen a little long and it bridges the gaps fine.

Bear Claw · Feb 3, 2023

Cincyreefer513 said:
I have the BRS screen kit and it does the trick. I used the extra elbows to allow for the back compartment to stay open for skimmer, ato, etc. Because of the weird design, I'm not able to get the screen 100% tight in the corners, but that's strictly cosmetic.

Btw, nice scape!

Thanks! Which one is it specifically on BRS? If you can't remember, that's fine

btw, I like your scape too!!

Kasrift · Feb 3, 2023

I had the same dilemma as you, didn't have a lid for almost a year and my longfin clownfish jumped. They are hard to come by, so I was crushed. I broke down and just bought a Kraken lid after fiddling around with a diy.

Cincyreefer513 · Feb 3, 2023

Bear Claw said:
Thanks! Which one is it specifically on BRS? If you can't remember, that's fine btw, I like your scape too!!

I bought it at the lfs and it wasn't in any sort of packaging however, I believe it to be the rimless in 1/4". Mine also came with 8 corners vs the 4 shown which enabled me to make the back area the way I did. I'm not sure if they come like this normally or if it was an error on the lfs.

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Isiah1820 · Apr 12, 2023

Cincyreefer513 said:
I guess you might want a full lid shot too. I did add a little painters tape to the sides in the front because there is a slight gap due to the wavemaker wires, but honestly the tape stopped sticking after a while so I haven't bothered with it since. For the back sides, I made the screen a little long and it bridges the gaps fine.

I need exactly this. I have black egg crate over mine and I think it’s cutting into the par. And another question what skimmer are you using? And what are you running in your the two over flow areas?

Cincyreefer513 · Apr 20, 2023

Isiah1820 said:
I need exactly this. I have black egg crate over mine and I think it’s cutting into the par. And another question what skimmer are you using? And what are you running in your the two over flow areas?

Sorry for the late reply. I've been working on buying/selling my house and just about to move so I'm not on here much as of late.
JBK SK45 skimmer. It came with the tank. I don't run it often, but it seems to do alright.
I just have a heater, ato, skimmer, carbon, and more rock in the back compartment.

Isiah1820 · Apr 22, 2023

Cincyreefer513 said:
Sorry for the late reply. I've been working on buying/selling my house and just about to move so I'm not on here much as of late.
JBK SK45 skimmer. It came with the tank. I don't run it often, but it seems to do alright.
I just have a heater, ato, skimmer, carbon, and more rock in the back compartment.

I never thought to put rock in the back compartment it is a tight space, so I use matrix. Is the skimmer hood? I use a tunze.