Not only do you answer all my questions in the comments but you also make videos to demonstrate them and answer further. Thanks so much. If I had my way you’d be making three videos a days. Thanks for the great content.
Liking it! It's sleek, clean look, and it's reversible, genius! I can't wait to see how the desktop tank looks, but I will wait for however long you need. With choosing how to select the winner, do what feels right for you. Whoever wins it will appreciate it no matter what, I'm sure of it. For those that don't win it should be happy for the one that does. I know that I would be happy either way because someone else would get to enjoy your handy work personally.
It’s very clean looking and I really like the way the top slides so easy out of the way! That’s what I hate about my 10 gallon tanks , there so comber some to use. Looking forward to Friday’s video 😀👍
I love the new lids they are perfect Keep up the great work Your doing a great job really wish you lived nearer or I lived close to you My tanks would look so much better
When it comes to the technical stuff, I understand about 10% of what you're talking about! LOL But it looks good! I didn't know that stuff is so expensive... seems like Glass would be a cheaper option, but as you pointed out, it's harder to work with, and more dangerous! lol You make it look so easy to do this kind of stuff! I wish I had your talent! :-)
@@FishmanEricRussell Really? It would be better for this kind of hobby, though, because it wouldn't warp and such, but as you and I both said, it's harder to work with, and you can't cut it, shape it, and bond it the way you do with that weld-4 or whatever that bonding liquid you use is. I also didn't know there were different types of Plexiglass or whatever it's called now. I thought Plexiglass is actually stronger than Glass, too...or is it? :-)
Nice lids, and perfect for killi fish that has to be without even small holes for the fish to hold them in so they don't jump out of the aquarium :) I'm waiting to get my first postdelivery with eggs from killi fish and need to make a lid on 1 of my tanks :)
Another great DIY! Couple of quick questions though…? 1. Where do you source your acrylic from? You seem to use a LOT! 2. Other than the table saw, how else can it be cut to size? 3. What is the name of the adhesive you use?
Unfortunately I get my acrylic locally. The glue is called methylene chloride. A table saw is best, but you can hand cut it here is a vid I did on it ua-cam.com/video/pOLrsH6646s/v-deo.html
Thanks for the great video! Im considdering making a acrylic lid for my 20 gallon tall aqaurium. That veing said I am worried about it bowing in the middle. From your experience if I went with 3/8" thick would it keep the bowing pretty minimal?
Yes. The thicker you go, the less you need to worry about bowing. The other thing you should keep in mind is it takes a little while for this to happen, so flip it over every now and then and it will start to curve in the opposite direction and you can keep it relatively straight.
@@FishmanEricRussell your very welcome watching your videos have got me into trying new things in my aquarium and I like how easy you explain things so thank you
Hi, I love this sliding lid solution. Pretty elegant yet minimalistic. What kind of glue are you using? And does it hold up well in the long run in an aquarium environment?
I had similar lids. They are looking nice, like your one, good work. But after a while i always have to turn around because the are hanging in the mid. So perhaps the combination of acrylic around and glass in the mid is my next project.
I find I have to flip mine as well, as you would expect. Doing glass and acrylic as a combo would be a great solution. I think I'm going to try one more pure acrylic one first as I like the ease with which I can move it around. Thanks for watching!
The biggest thing I like about glass tops is the ability to hit it with a razor blade if you need for cleaning really stubborn stuff. Does acrylic have something similar that works great?
That is definitely the best part of glass lids. They are easier to clean. Acrylic not so much. Because there isn't anything to get in the way with cleaning with this style I will just pop them in a bucket and wipe them with a scouring pad. In a few months I will be doing an update on all of the lids I've made and go over the pros and cons of each. Thanks for watching
This is a lot nicer lid and then my first acrylic lid! Though I did build an aluminum heat sink and LED strip lighting into mine...it’s bowed very badly. I never knew about the warping issue until after... Where do you buy your acrylic?
I buy my acrylic locally, so no help there. Some people think it's the contact with water that causes the bending. The heat differential really does speed it up though with the light above and the water below. Thanks so much for coming by!
speaking of sliding, how much more difficult would it be to make a similar style of lid with a sliding type opening rather than hinge? I like the idea of something that's a single unit but doesn't need a lot of space vertically for some eventual changes I'm going to make to my shelf setup.
I like the simplicity of that design and also that you can lift or part of it out of the way. Where did you find those neat handles or did you make them yourself as well?
Most definitely. There is really no difference there. Glass is also more durable going through the cleaning process. Acrylic is much better for taking physical abuse and there is no danger if you knock into the tank with it. Hope that helps
What thickness would you recommend to prevent the acrylic from warping? Ordered (3) 25cmx25cmx3mm acrylic covers for my nano tanks, installed them in the evening and the following morning all three covers warped.
All acrylic will warp. I find if you keep the sizes smaller and use braces you can cut down on it though. I find 1/4" the best for this. Here's a link ua-cam.com/video/pMQyZ3MvRXw/v-deo.html
The larger ones do, but these smaller ones seem to hold their shape better. Even if they do, because they are modular it is easy to just flip them temporarily and let them correct. Thanks for watching
Could you update us on the condition of your lids 1 years later now? Did they bow or bend or are they still holding true in a flat manner? Edit: Never mind my request as you already released a video recently with update on the lids. 😂👍
Don't forget if this was for a reef tank it would be useless because ordinary acrylics block valuable uv spectrum you have to use sun bed acrylic or uv transmitting acrylic as it's known in trade that's the plastic they use on all led aquarium lights lenses covers
Not only do you answer all my questions in the comments but you also make videos to demonstrate them and answer further. Thanks so much. If I had my way you’d be making three videos a days. Thanks for the great content.
You guys take the time to watch and comment. It's the least I can do. Thanks so much for coming by!
Totally working on a new project we are going to be using this sort of idea for....awesome video as usual sir....👍
Looking forward to it guys and thanks for coming by
It looks so clean, simple and not distracting from the rimless tank
So glad you like it!
Liking it! It's sleek, clean look, and it's reversible, genius!
I can't wait to see how the desktop tank looks, but I will wait for however long you need. With choosing how to select the winner, do what feels right for you. Whoever wins it will appreciate it no matter what, I'm sure of it. For those that don't win it should be happy for the one that does. I know that I would be happy either way because someone else would get to enjoy your handy work personally.
Thanks so much for your kind words Kenisha! Much appreciated
They look so clean and smooth and more then likely easier to clean. Great stuff as always 👍
Thanks so much Rob!
It’s very clean looking and I really like the way the top slides so easy out of the way! That’s what I hate about my 10 gallon tanks , there so comber some to use. Looking forward to Friday’s video 😀👍
Thanks so much! Great seeing you again
This has so be the cleanest lid system I've ever seen.
Thanks so much Ryan!
I’m trying to do this for my tank, thanks for the tips
Glad you liked it!
Nice, neat & clean work
Much appreciated!
I love the new lids they are perfect
Keep up the great work
Your doing a great job really wish you lived nearer or I lived close to you
My tanks would look so much better
That is definitely a nice lid! That'd make a great guppy tank!
Glad you like the lid. I have other plans for this tank though
Wow those look awesome! Fantastic video as always! Thank you!
Thanks so much Sandy!
Always an inspiration. Keep up the good work. The space on my desk for the desktop tank keeps asking when will it arrive. Thanks Fred O
Well Fred at this time the draw should be on Wed. Best of luck
nice work man....! love from INDIA
Thanks ever so much!
When it comes to the technical stuff, I understand about 10% of what you're talking about! LOL But it looks good! I didn't know that stuff is so expensive... seems like Glass would be a cheaper option, but as you pointed out, it's harder to work with, and more dangerous! lol You make it look so easy to do this kind of stuff! I wish I had your talent! :-)
Glass here is actually more expensive. I'm so glad you like what I do here. I really do appreciate it!
@@FishmanEricRussell Really? It would be better for this kind of hobby, though, because it wouldn't warp and such, but as you and I both said, it's harder to work with, and you can't cut it, shape it, and bond it the way you do with that weld-4 or whatever that bonding liquid you use is. I also didn't know there were different types of Plexiglass or whatever it's called now. I thought Plexiglass is actually stronger than Glass, too...or is it? :-)
Nice lids, and perfect for killi fish that has to be without even small holes for the fish to hold them in so they don't jump out of the aquarium :)
I'm waiting to get my first postdelivery with eggs from killi fish and need to make a lid on 1 of my tanks :)
Killie fish are the best jumpers for sure! Thanks for coming by and best of luck with the eggs
Thank you for this. I’m making a lid myself now and this helps a lot.
I'm so glad you found it helpful and thank you for watching!
Excellent job
Hey Coop! Great seeing you!
You’re so close to 10k subscribers! Cool videos. You make it look so easy.
Thanks so much!
Another great DIY! Couple of quick questions though…?
1. Where do you source your acrylic from? You seem to use a LOT!
2. Other than the table saw, how else can it be cut to size?
3. What is the name of the adhesive you use?
Unfortunately I get my acrylic locally. The glue is called methylene chloride. A table saw is best, but you can hand cut it here is a vid I did on it ua-cam.com/video/pOLrsH6646s/v-deo.html
Thanks for the great video! Im considdering making a acrylic lid for my 20 gallon tall aqaurium. That veing said I am worried about it bowing in the middle. From your experience if I went with 3/8" thick would it keep the bowing pretty minimal?
Yes. The thicker you go, the less you need to worry about bowing. The other thing you should keep in mind is it takes a little while for this to happen, so flip it over every now and then and it will start to curve in the opposite direction and you can keep it relatively straight.
Simple clean look!! 😀
Much appreciated!
Nice inset acrylic lid 👍🏻❤️
Thanks so much Susan! Always great seeing you
Continues to be an inspiration thanks
That's very kind of you Joseph!
@@FishmanEricRussell your very welcome watching your videos have got me into trying new things in my aquarium and I like how easy you explain things so thank you
@@josephtreadaway9 Anytime Joseph
Clever idea, think that it would be just the way to build my lids. ..
Thanks so much. I will have to see how fast they curl and how the flipping will work with them. It would be easy to add bracing if it needs it too.
Nice of you to through in a lower tech build, something we might use as a 1st attempt.
Glad you like it!
Hi, I love this sliding lid solution. Pretty elegant yet minimalistic. What kind of glue are you using? And does it hold up well in the long run in an aquarium environment?
Thanks so much! It's actually a chemical weld so there is no glue to let go. I use methylene chloride
Ok, thanks.
I like that lid.
Thanks so much!
I had similar lids.
They are looking nice, like your one, good work.
But after a while i always have to turn around because the are hanging in the mid.
So perhaps the combination of acrylic around and glass in the mid is my next project.
I find I have to flip mine as well, as you would expect. Doing glass and acrylic as a combo would be a great solution. I think I'm going to try one more pure acrylic one first as I like the ease with which I can move it around. Thanks for watching!
Coming through to show support. Full watch and view. You will be at 10K very soon. Congrats!
Always a pleasure!
Can't wait to win the airlift tank!!
Coming up real soon and thanks for watching
Very helpful, pls what's the diameter of the drilled holes you used?
Thanks! They are 1" holes
Love these videos!
Very kind of you Steve!
The biggest thing I like about glass tops is the ability to hit it with a razor blade if you need for cleaning really stubborn stuff. Does acrylic have something similar that works great?
That is definitely the best part of glass lids. They are easier to clean. Acrylic not so much. Because there isn't anything to get in the way with cleaning with this style I will just pop them in a bucket and wipe them with a scouring pad. In a few months I will be doing an update on all of the lids I've made and go over the pros and cons of each. Thanks for watching
This is a lot nicer lid and then my first acrylic lid! Though I did build an aluminum heat sink and LED strip lighting into mine...it’s bowed very badly. I never knew about the warping issue until after...
Where do you buy your acrylic?
I buy my acrylic locally, so no help there. Some people think it's the contact with water that causes the bending. The heat differential really does speed it up though with the light above and the water below. Thanks so much for coming by!
Do you have an update on how this worked out or what you are using now?
They worked fine, but I had to reverse them fairly often. I switched to this style and they are much better. ua-cam.com/video/nb9zlE8SjeQ/v-deo.html
If you go to use that as a reversible lid. You should drill a hole for the handle then glue it in the center.
And here I was just going to glue another on the other side. Thanks for the tip!
I'm working with Lexan. what liquid adhesive should I use? thanks
Mthylene chloride
speaking of sliding, how much more difficult would it be to make a similar style of lid with a sliding type opening rather than hinge? I like the idea of something that's a single unit but doesn't need a lot of space vertically for some eventual changes I'm going to make to my shelf setup.
All that it would need are tracks to go in. I will put that on my viewer request list. Thanks for the suggestion and for watching
I like the simplicity of that design and also that you can lift or part of it out of the way. Where did you find those neat handles or did you make them yourself as well?
Glad you like it Sue! You know me and diy, I made the handles too
Where are you located? Because I'm in Canada and I can't seem to find weld-on 4 anywhere. Any suggestions?
I live in Ottawa. I go to a specialty plastics shop and buy methylene chloride. Hope that helps
Do you have an Industrial Plastic where you live? The ones I have been to in BC have that glue, maybe amazon does too.
@@FishmanEricRussell Yes it does. I think. I live just South-West of Ottawa so I guess I will look online for a specialty plastics store.
@@To0Aw3s0m3 Try Canus Plastics
compared to glass top - does acrylic collect gunk just as easy?
Most definitely. There is really no difference there. Glass is also more durable going through the cleaning process. Acrylic is much better for taking physical abuse and there is no danger if you knock into the tank with it. Hope that helps
What thickness would you recommend to prevent the acrylic from warping? Ordered (3) 25cmx25cmx3mm acrylic covers for my nano tanks, installed them in the evening and the following morning all three covers warped.
All acrylic will warp. I find if you keep the sizes smaller and use braces you can cut down on it though. I find 1/4" the best for this. Here's a link ua-cam.com/video/pMQyZ3MvRXw/v-deo.html
@@FishmanEricRussell Thank you very much
@@bibo8655 Any time!
@@FishmanEricRussell I just completed viewing the link you sent above. What glue were you using in that syringe? Thanks
@@bibo8655 It's called methylene chloride
10K on the way!
Thank you Chuck!
Won’t plastic lid sags? Like over time
The larger ones do, but these smaller ones seem to hold their shape better. Even if they do, because they are modular it is easy to just flip them temporarily and let them correct. Thanks for watching
Could you update us on the condition of your lids 1 years later now? Did they bow or bend or are they still holding true in a flat manner?
Edit: Never mind my request as you already released a video recently with update on the lids. 😂👍
As you have found out from my update, these 1/8" lids wren't good enough. The 1/4" ones are doing great. Thanks for watching!
What glue do you use?
Methylene chloride
Where do you get your acrylic?
Locally. Sorry
Don't forget if this was for a reef tank it would be useless because ordinary acrylics block valuable uv spectrum you have to use sun bed acrylic or uv transmitting acrylic as it's known in trade that's the plastic they use on all led aquarium lights lenses covers
The same goes for glass as well. Thanks for coming by!
@@FishmanEricRussell I know unless it's quartz
Wow, very neat...I said it long time ago.... DIY in fish keeping = Fishman, hahahahahaha
Hey Raliegh! Thanks so much!
oh no which video do i comment on to win?!?
LOL! Any and all that have this tank in them. Including this one and thanks for watching
Cool as feck.
Thanks Andrew!
Awesome job!
Keep up the great work👊🏻😎
New subscriber here...share some love for a fellow aquarist😁
Thank you Tim. Will have a look
Fishman
You’re welcome and thank you!
Lol I’ll pay u to make me a custom lid for me ?
this is over-engineered and ugly. thanks for showing me what NOT to do.
anyways, you do have mad acrylic skills though.
As it turns out I don't use these anymore lol. I've settled on a different lid design. Thanks for watching!