RE: Tank Covers

["Tranquility Base" <TranquilityBase at NetZero_Net>]

Hi Folks:

I'm just tossing in an opinion here.

For those really gifted people, used to working with glass, 1/4" glass makes
a durable and useful cover especially when you add an injection molded
hinge.

On the other hand window pane is very thin and likely to break leaving
shards of glass all over the place. This compounded with the fact that most
people use it without a hinge and remove and replace the cover to access the
fish makes it down right hazardous around children pets and spouses that do
not expect sharp breakable obstacles that they can not see.

The next indictment against glass is that few of us can cut neatly around
the heaters and airlines. Most people just slice off the corners leaving
lots of room for fish to escape. Then the wind up reducing the water level
to 50% anyway.

If you really must make covers out of glass I recommend 1/4 plate glass.
Hinge material and the plastic material that can be cut to allow for
airlines and heaters is available at your LFS. It requires that you use 1/4"
glass though. Door handles can be easily fabricated and siliconed to the
hatch. The final cost will not be too much more than a commercially
available glass canopy, but you can make covers that will be useful for
tanks set up on end in racks.

If you want to save money I recommend styrene. I also have refurbished
several stainless steel hoods.  If you want to make glass canopies, do it
right. Use 1/4" plate hinges and cut out material. It will cost more but it
will last for many years. I know too many people that have at one time or
another made cheap window pane canopies. A year later X percent were dropped
or broken. X number of fish jumped out and there were X number of injuries
involving broken glass.

peace,

~RJ~



-----Original Message-----
From: owner-killietalk at aka_org [mailto:owner-killietalk at aka_org]On
Behalf Of George & Melanie Caruso
Sent: Saturday, December 28, 2002 1:45 PM
To: killietalk at aka_org
Subject: Tank Covers


I have been reading the last comments on tank covers and the various
materials everyone is using. Back in the late 60's and early 70's I had
used the plastic sheeting that was used for flourescent light covers,
but it was nothing like the styrene stuff that is on the market now. It
was much heavier and very ridgid. There was a small cutter that was
available for cutting the material so I had purchased some for our
flourescent lighting in the basement and found it made a great tank
cover. I still have some of those covers in use today but unfortunately
I don't have enough and don't have any more of the material available.
So.... I have had the same problem many of you are having. I tried the
stryrene as well as the acrylic stuff and have found it to be too
flimsey and flexible to suit me. I have used the plastic grid material
found in craft shops, but I had to use a plastic channel as a frame
around the edges to keep the grid stiff enough. The plastic channel is
the material sold at Home Depot, etc. for plastic or acrylic window
material. I cut it to length and cut the ends at a 45 degree angle then
place it along the edges of the plastic grid material and use a hot glue
gun to connect the pieces. This has worked fairly well and I am using
these now for my   2 1/2 gal. tanks. The drawback is that it does not
slow the evaporation of tank water.
I have found this method not too suitable for larger tanks. After trying
these various methods I have decide that the only real option left for
me is to bite the bullet and purchase single strength glass for the
covers. I am not sure if I will be able to find some used glass and cut
the sizes I need myself or just go to the local glass shop and purchase
sizes I need as I can afford to do so. Yes, I know it is a lot of money
especially if you have many tanks like many of us do, but I think it is
well worth it and provides as close to an ideal tank cover as you will
find.
George


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