Does anyone here use Polycarbonate for tank lids?

[SauceyReef]

Does anyone here use Polycarbonate for tank lids? Wondering the best way to cut it, and if I can just get a sheet from lowes for the tank.

 

[Kfactor]

i think it would not let light though to good

 

[Llyod276]

I have a plexiglass cover for the sump. Lessons learned: rib it. Take piecies of wood and glue them to the top. Otherwise it'll bow. Cut with anything sharp. The duller the blade the more it burns, messier. Drill it before installation if required. Lowes carries them but it's pricey.

 

[Cell]

Yes and score with razor really good and snap and yes.

 

[kados]

I do have polycarbonate lids. It's an acrylic tank. No impact on lights.

 

[SauceyReef]

Our LFS uses polycarbonate lids which is why I am asking. Their tanks are beautiful so it is clearly not affecting the corals. It must be a cheap/alternative way to cover the tank.

 

[Cell]

They definitely lower par, so adjust your light settings accordingly. Depending on ambient room temp they can also develop quite a bit of moisture on them.

 

[SauceyReef]

The reason I am considering polycarbonate is that I want to get some nannofish like neon striped gobies, little fire gobies, clown gobies, etc. Some of these fish are literally less than a half inch in total length, and could easily jump through my netted lid I got from Kraken Reefs.

 

[Malcontent]

Yes. Went to local plastics store and had them cut the pieces.

 

[tharbin]

A lot of custom lid makers use Polycarbonate. It does not bow like acrylic sheet (plexiglass et. al.).

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Acrylic. Lexan. Look for a local supplier. Stuff is too thin at hardware stores.
D

 

[Sean Clark]

I have them on an acrylic tank. They do get dirty and need to be cleaned, but I like them.

 

[SauceyReef]

So plexiglass is acrylic, and that is different than polycarbonate?
Sounds like I should be sticking with polycarbonate..

 

[Wasabiroot]

Yes, I do for my basement eurobraced 240g.

You will need either extremely thick plexiglass (on the order of 3/8 or thicker) or the plexi will warp from the temperature and moisture and not sit. You can get polycarbonate sheets at home depot if you're looking for a budget build, but they aren't the sturdiest.

 

[Conchman]

I used ballistic grade poly (like 1/2") to make a piece that went on the top of the tank, fitted around the light mounts so it would cover the over flow. Then, when I made the screen cover, I did not have to do any weird cuts with the mesh frame. Also used some to cover the fuge section, then put the light on top. Was scraps from work, so I got it for free...

 

[Malcontent]

So plexiglass is acrylic, and that is different than polycarbonate?
Sounds like I should be sticking with polycarbonate..

Plexiglass is a name brand of acrylic. Lexan is a name brand of polycarbonate.

I got fairly thin polycarbonate--I think 1/16"--and it's been fine. It's for a conventional acrylic aquarium with relatively small openings. Eurobraced or rimless would obviously require bigger pieces and then I'd favor thicker material.

 

[mindme]

So plexiglass is acrylic, and that is different than polycarbonate?
Sounds like I should be sticking with polycarbonate..

Plexiglass will bend under lights and should be avoided, while polycarbonate shouldn't - however I have never tried it myself, I ended up just going glass after experiencing warping with the plexiglass. Didn't find out about polycarbonate until after.

 

[SauceyReef]

This is just for a nano tank, so I think I will stick with a polycarbonate at a hardware store as opposed to glass to save a lot of expense. I could try making a mesh lid with extremely small holes but I feel like that would cut off more light. Next question is how to cut the polycarbonate seamlessly.

 

[lori32laugh]

I have them on an acrylic tank. They do get dirty and need to be cleaned, but I like them.

Does the algae permanently stain the polycarbonate? How easy/hard is it to clean? Thanks, Lori C

 

[Sean Clark]

Does the algae permanently stain the polycarbonate? How easy/hard is it to clean? Thanks, Lori C

Not from my experience. They do collect condensation and develop white mineral deposits. Regular cleaning keeps them looking nice.