New reef tops

[drew9393]

I just made two reef tops out of acrylic to replace the glass tops cuz one broke. But now I'm wondering about heat being trapped in-between the acrylic and water surface. I have a fan on my sump to help cool but nothing else. Should I make holes in the tops or just leave it alone ??

 

[acroholic]

I would make some holes in the acrylic if you decide to keep them. You will definitely retain heat in the water if you don't. Here is a DIY for mesh tops I made, and that a lot of ARC members have made.

 

[presteige]

ooo yeah... why not just use light grating like most people use in frag tanks?

 

[son of adam]

Acroholic;563738 wrote: I would make some holes in the acrylic if you decide to keep them. You will definitely retain heat in the water if you don't. Here is a DIY for mesh tops I made, and that a lot of ARC members have made.

http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=34002">http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=34002</a>[/QUOTE]


Do this for sure! :up: :yes: :thumbs: :D

 

[drew9393]

OK honestly I tried to make the mesh tops. and failed. I have a bowfront so I tried to use the DIY for bowfronts and just bent, kinked, and messed it all up. so I went with what I am good at. Acrylic.

As for the grating that most use in frag tanks, Most people use light diffuser grate that looks like egg crate almost. this lets light in but only straight down it blocks any light that is coming in at angle. sooo not so good idea. atleast that is what I have been reading.

 

[weaglereefer]

Fish can get through eggcrate...

What about making square mesh covers, then making round front acrylic covers to fit the curve? Trace the outline of the curve with a sharpie, then score the acrylic along the lines, hit it with some sandpaper, and you should be good to go. You could remove the acrylic pieces for feeding without having to lift the whole cover.

 

[drew9393]

ok here is the tops, where to put the holes????:unsure:
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[son of adam]

Make a template of the bow front curve and bend against it slowly.

You can do it!

 

[drew9393]

I also just finished makeing my hangers for my 6 t5 light set up.

Just need to add the stain
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[gnashty]

I would make several small holes about an inch or two apart

 

[drew9393]

OK so drill bunch of holes got it, like in one area or all over... sorry just want to screw this up 2.

 

[gnashty]

Drew9393;563794 wrote: OK so drill bunch of holes got it, like in one area or all over... sorry just want to screw this up 2.

Id start with a strip across the back an inch or two apart and watch temp, you can always make more holes if you need to....

how thick was the acrylic? the thinner stuff may bow under the heat of the light.