DIY Glass top?

Mellyn · 08-20-2005, 05:54 PM

I want a glass top for my aquarium, so that I can put whatever lights I want on top. I was thinking about making it myself. Two peices of glass, attached by a hinge in the middle and a handle or something on one side. But, what do I use to make the hinge? Gaffers tape? Electrical tape? Would acrylic be better than glass? This will be made out of whatever I can find at my local Home Depot.
Thanks for whatever help you can give me.

Wasserpest · 08-20-2005, 06:39 PM

As an alternative to a hinge, you could just slide the two glass parts over each other. The front glass rests on the back piece, and you just push it back to access the water surface.

Glass would be better than acrylic, since it doesn't sag or bow, and doesn't scratch, and doesn't turn yellow in the proximity of high intensity bulbs.

Mellyn · 08-21-2005, 06:23 PM

Thanks for your help. I bought a pane of "replacement glass" that was 12x36. I cut it down to fit my tank. It fits perfectly! I'm going to add handles to it so that I can lift it without cutting myself (one of the edges came out kinda jagged, I've never cut glass before) When I get it looking better, I'll post a picture. ^^

Wasserpest · 08-22-2005, 12:10 AM

You really need to do something about sharp edges...

Just buy some sand paper, and smoothen them out. Really easy.

Bonsai_Swamp · 08-22-2005, 12:45 AM

You can use an ordinary carborundum sharpening stone to blunt the edges of the glass, or sandpaper backed up by a sanding block. Tape works too.

08-20-2005, 05:54 PM	#1
Mellyn Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Brandon, FL Posts: 153	DIY Glass top? I want a glass top for my aquarium, so that I can put whatever lights I want on top. I was thinking about making it myself. Two peices of glass, attached by a hinge in the middle and a handle or something on one side. But, what do I use to make the hinge? Gaffers tape? Electrical tape? Would acrylic be better than glass? This will be made out of whatever I can find at my local Home Depot. Thanks for whatever help you can give me.

08-20-2005, 06:39 PM	#2
Wasserpest Are these real? (View User Tanks) PTrader: (140/100%) Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Monterey, CA Posts: 14,643	As an alternative to a hinge, you could just slide the two glass parts over each other. The front glass rests on the back piece, and you just push it back to access the water surface. Glass would be better than acrylic, since it doesn't sag or bow, and doesn't scratch, and doesn't turn yellow in the proximity of high intensity bulbs. __________________ All my tanks Autodosing Water Change Temperature Monitoring Cheap Filter The Wasser-Controller

08-22-2005, 12:10 AM	#4
Wasserpest Are these real? (View User Tanks) PTrader: (140/100%) Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Monterey, CA Posts: 14,643	You really need to do something about sharp edges... Just buy some sand paper, and smoothen them out. Really easy. __________________ All my tanks Autodosing Water Change Temperature Monitoring Cheap Filter The Wasser-Controller

08-22-2005, 12:45 AM	#5
Bonsai_Swamp Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: West Coast Canada Posts: 94	You can use an ordinary carborundum sharpening stone to blunt the edges of the glass, or sandpaper backed up by a sanding block. Tape works too. __________________ Tropical Swamp Modeler

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

08-21-2005, 06:23 PM	#3
Mellyn Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Brandon, FL Posts: 153	Thanks for your help. I bought a pane of "replacement glass" that was 12x36. I cut it down to fit my tank. It fits perfectly! I'm going to add handles to it so that I can lift it without cutting myself (one of the edges came out kinda jagged, I've never cut glass before) When I get it looking better, I'll post a picture. ^^