Made a tank lid for my 525XL
- Thread starter mind
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coralfishreef
Well-Known Member
That is awesome. Looks great.I have a small CNC router, so I got UV+Impact resistant Polycarbonate offcuts from Altec Plastics in Boston and went to work.
Result is this:
View attachment 145172
I still need to add the mesh/etc. At least now I will be able to get fish that jump!
OP
OP
mind
Non-member
Yeah.... This is what happens when two engineers design for the same requirements. You get two designs that are rather similar, since there are only so many ways to solve a problem!
Some costs:
5 x 24" x 12" x 1/4" UV and impact resistant polycarbonate sheet : $130 ($26 each and could have probably done it in 4 sheets)
6' x 4' 1/4" clear mesh on Amazon (no longer available): $13
25' of gray 1/8" spline on Amazon: $3
2.5mm machine bits: $13
So... around $160 + time/effort. There is the potential to cut it down in price I could do it in 4 pieces of material instead of 5. There is also around 3-4 hours of manual work (breaking all the sharp edges on the pieces on both sides and assembly).
Still...... ClearView EXO lids are between 200-300 for the same size. Given that theirs is made from 3/8" material, the costs are likely double mine. Probably still worth if to get one of theirs in you want the nice lid features and the ability to expand it in the future for a different tank/etc.
-R
Last edited:
OP
OP
mind
Non-member
I could.... might need to "pay" me in tank knowledge and dipped frags though since I am a total salt-water newbie and my first corals are not looking great
Not sure if that sort of trade/barter is allowed here ? PM if not please!
this is me
I like turtles
Nice work!
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