Economical Aquarium Cover

[Crispino Labayen Ramos]

I checked the price of a tank cover online for a 20 gallon long and found one (Versatop) for $20 plus shipping. I would need two glass covers.

[Bahugo]

Go too home depot they have 30"x24" sheets of glass for 10.38 and pick up a cheap glass cutter and cut it down the center. A glass cutter is like 4$ I think.

I am guessing you meant you need two covers, for two separate tanks.

If I am not mistaken though, HD will cut glass so you can try too ask for them too cut it in half for you.

[alexei]

Not 100% sure about HD cutting glass anymore. It might be store dependent. I know all my local Lowes cut glass though.

[angelsword]

I needed glass covers for four 55 gallons. With four tanks glass covers was too expensive. Home depot and Lowes said no. That was a few years ago so I don't know if they cut glass now. I found a place that sells mirrors, windows etc. I gave them the dimensions and they cut eight 1/8 inch non-tempered panels for $4 each.

[Crispino Labayen Ramos]

Thanks for the helpful replies. Most of the major stores in Phoenix that sell windows charge around $40 for a 20 gallon long glass cover. I probably need to call a small store. I'll definitely check out Lowe's.

[Zefrik]

Originally Posted by Crispino Ramos

Thanks for the helpful replies. Most of the major stores in Phoenix that sell windows charge around $40 for a 20 gallon long glass cover. I probably need to call a small store. I'll definitely check out Lowe's.

Are you telling them it is for an aquarium? I feel like people overcharge on everything once they hear the word aquarium.


Does Hobby Lobby cut glass?

[Crispino Labayen Ramos]

Originally Posted by Zefrik

Are you telling them it is for an aquarium? I feel like people overcharge on everything once they hear the word aquarium.
Does Hobby Lobby cut glass?

The glass stores ask what I need it for, they even charge an extra $10 if I want the edges buffed/sanded.

[dbosman@msu.edu]

Originally Posted by Bahugo

Go too home depot they have 30"x24" sheets of glass...
If I am not mistaken though, HD will cut glass so you can try too ask for them too cut it in half for you.

Please don't recommend big box store glass.
The displays usually have stickers on them saying "Not to be used..." for any number of things because the glass is too thin.
A hardware store that repairs windows will have thicker, safer, glass and cut it for you.

If one isn't stupid about safety, one can sand down the edges with emery cloth.

[Bahugo]

Originally Posted by dbosman@msu.edu

Please don't recommend big box store glass.
The displays usually have stickers on them saying "Not to be used..." for any number of things because the glass is too thin.
A hardware store that repairs windows will have thicker, safer, glass and cut it for you.

If one isn't stupid about safety, one can sand down the edges with emery cloth.

I have had a sheet of glass from HD over my emersed setup for the past 6 months and never had issues with it. It's gotten treated with the same care as any other fish tank top I have and have had no issues. If you buy glass that is meant for a window you will have no issues over a fish tank. Why should I go spend 40$ for a glass top for an aquarium?

[mistergreen]

The acrylic sheets from hd will work too. Don't buy the thin one because they will warp under the heat of the lights.

[cawolf86]

Do you know of any big box stores that will cut acrylic or glass in custom shapes? Well - just a square with a corner cut out and a circle in the middle.

[angelsword]

Maybe they were trying to talk you into tempered glass. I don't get why they were trying to charge so much. My edges aren't sanded and they aren't sharp. I handle them a lot and have never had a problem. Try telling them you need a piece of 1/8 inch window glass cut and give them your dimensions.