Top lids = Top Notch

[NeutronMan]

I tried the diy route and it did not turn out well. Lasted log enough, but working arounf the lights and other wires going into the tank caused a flimsy nightmare. I had to rely on tape and rubberbands to keep the lid flish with the back and not dip into the tank.

Same and it looked like garbage. What a waste of time and money.

Also, I wasn’t about to go to Home Depot and ask them to help me build a fish tank cover…

My skills aren’t mechanical in nature, so I pay for others to do it. I measure 3 times, cut 5 times, and it shows.

 

[FishLvR]

My goal is that enough people realize this top lids business is a scam at worst, and scummy at best. I tell everyone about my crap experience. I will keep telling everyone.

As for the diy route. I needed a lid during the whole top lid garbage. So I ordered this DD lid. I know how to measure unlike toplids who are garbage so it was a 20min job for me.

I highly recommend.

 

[smitten with ocean life]

wow thats nice

 

[FishLvR]

wow thats nice

It's a fancy screen window kit, but with a nice lip to fit over the glass. Cost less that 1/3 of what top lids kept to do nothing.

 

[smitten with ocean life]

so you made it yourself? like a kit?

 

[AquaLogic]

I think the real question is, why do hobbyist feel the need to spend money on esthetics when you can achieve the same goal for a fraction with hardware store aluminum frame for window screens and 1/4" mesh?

A clear case of cognitive dissonance. You want to keep your fish from jumping but don't want to spend a lot to do so.

Another question we should be asking ourselves is, what post, thread, article, event, or video conditioned us to think this was acceptable?

Oh, I think it's a luxury item for sure and not at all necessary. There are even cheap kits on Amazon for making lids with magnetic attachment for like 30$. I got a kraken lid for a nano tank, an only spent something over 100% and it was also because it creates a nice place for a feeding cup and attachment point for an autofeeder.

I would never consider spending 500$ on a lid. For a large tank I would DIY for sure. For my little deskmate.... 100ish was acceptable for the convenience and quality, to me.

 

[FishLvR]

so you made it yourself? like a kit?

DD aquarium solutions.

 

[FishOkay]

Are there any good experiences here? With top lids. I've been talking to them on WhatsApp and thought I'd probably order. But I'm in the uk so if they are no good it'd be harder for me to resolve.

 

[ReefED!]

Yeah my experience was fine

There was an issue on the sizing and they replaced the lids with the correct size on them.

They also accidentally sent me someone elses lid - which I sent back to them.

 

[SpyC]

Are there any good experiences here? With top lids. I've been talking to them on WhatsApp and thought I'd probably order. But I'm in the uk so if they are no good it'd be harder for me to resolve.

I won mine, but had an overall decent experience with them. I had similar lack of communication issue as others during the building phase, but they revamped that and I got weekly updates. I would use them again. I have patience and don't mind them double checking measurements to ensure a good product the firet time around. I have an aquarium they have built lids for previously and they douvle checked the measurements. I rather this over them assuming an aquarium company will never change their glass, overflow, or backwall dimensions.

Are there any builders in the UK? I would look within the UK before going with a company outside of my home country. Makes life much easier if there ever was an issue with any company. Also less time in transit means less of a chance of damage in transit.

 

[BeanAnimal]

Given a lot of the responses here from others, I personally would look elsewhere.

To me - their custom order policies are a large issue. It is not so much the "policy" it is how they are enforced punitively and for the sole benefit of top-lids.

There is no wiggle room even when the error is theirs. No matter what, they stand 100% firm on their interoperation of the policy and keep your money.

I see poor communication, order delays and lots of excuses and combined with their "Tough crap" attitude toward their policies I would not chance it.

 

[FishOkay]

I won mine, but had an overall decent experience with them. I had similar lack of communication issue as others during the building phase, but they revamped that and I got weekly updates. I would use them again. I have patience and don't mind them double checking measurements to ensure a good product the firet time around. I have an aquarium they have built lids for previously and they douvle checked the measurements. I rather this over them assuming an aquarium company will never change their glass, overflow, or backwall dimensions.

Are there any builders in the UK? I would look within the UK before going with a company outside of my home country. Makes life much easier if there ever was an issue with any company. Also less time in transit means less of a chance of damage in transit.

Yeah agree with you on the measurements, I'd say that's more reassuring than an annoyance imo. There's one I found here but they were a bit overpriced. They quoted me £1700! But yeah buying at home would have been my first choice.

 

[SpyC]

Yeah agree with you on the measurements, I'd say that's more reassuring than an annoyance imo. There's one I found here but they were a bit overpriced. They quoted me £1700! But yeah buying at home would have been my first choice.

Ooof that is way too much for a custom lid. Would soon tape mesh to the top of the tank lol. Looking at cost, all of these companies seem on par witch each other. With this thread being 50/50 with experiences and you being in the UK, I would go with a different company.