aquarium topper

[DMBillies]

I don't have a hood for my aquarium and my lighting fixture just "hangs" over the top of the tank. I have a gold headed sleeper goby that would like to jump out and I've been looking for better solutions to top my tank. I am currently using 1/4" acrylic, but the stuff has really bowed (I knew it did some, but not as much as it did). I can't use a glass top because a HOB skimmer I have sticks out too far, plus I'm worried about breaking glass. I have cats, so I would like a top that lets in plenty of light but keeps out cat hair. I would just build a hood, but I'm thinking about upgrading tanks soon and wouldn't want to invest the money. Any suggestions for a cheap topper that would get the job done?

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[dfcjr]

http://defcon200.bizland.com/aquariust/id9.html

 

[dfcjr]

pretty decent hood.Im about to build one for my ten(if i ever get around to it)

 

[foggy54]

Some people use the 1/2" egg crate/ light defusier grid. lets the light in, heat out and blocks jumpers......

 

[Mdwannabe]

Just cut some acrylic about 1" wide by the length of the top you have (the bowed one).
Clamp the top down to a table top so it's flat, and glue the 1" pices on edge. They act as a strut and will not allow the acrylic to bow. 2 or 3 struts should do the job.
About as cheap and fast as I can think of, I have done it, it works. JMTCW

Rick

 

[DMBillies]

Rick,
I thought about trying that, but wasn't sure if the already bowed acrylic would try to pop the glue off once I unclamp them. I guess if I try to bow the acrylic back the other way a little bit before I do it, I might be able to get around that problem.

 

[Mdwannabe]

Assuming you give the glue ample time to dry, it should not happen. Overbowing will only help if you heat the acrylic when in the overbowed position. Heat is what caused the bowing in the first place.