I had a greenhouse made of this stuff and learn from my mistake lol. So here's a tip I'd highly recommend for anyone using this for your aquarium lids is run a bead of clear aquarium safe cilicone along the open edges to seal off the channels. Otherwise over time moisture from the tank will make its way into the boards and turn into a green algae farm right under the light that's almost impossible to clean. Hope this helps!
1. I hate long videos because most of the time is eaten up by blah-blah-blah. 2. This video is GREAT! 3. I'm subscribing. 4. Thanks for making and sharing this.
Dude, this is an awesome idea. I'm currently building a custom tank and was struggling to work out how to make a cheap yet strong lid. Then your video popped up. I will definitely be doing this. Thanks
Ya know...if you did one more thing it would make it a lot better...make it a 2 piece lid and you can slide the front piece back when you want to use it. Kinda like a glass lid would be from the factory not situated with the short side of the tank facing out. Cut the top or rear piece of your plastic to sit on the top edge of the rim and cut the front piece, the piece you use every time you need to access the aquarium (that would normally be hinged to the rear piece), cut it to fit inside the rim like it's made to, but since the rear piece is on top of the rim, that piece can them be slid back instead of hinged, sliding under the rear piece, or one big piece like what yo have here. It works great for tanks situated sort side out.
This is great video but also If you have a cat thats curious and wants to be on-top of everything and wants to jump on top of the tank the best option is to find a local glassy to cut about 6mm glass to your measurements and create a 2cm circle in the centre of the glass lid for feeding and lifting the lid off. Works a treat for the right tank doesn't cost much either.
Some issues with this if interested in what happens after near 3 year use? I have a stack from my old greenhouse but be aware the UV is one sided only there directional if you download 6ft by 8ft greenhouse instructions they show you what side is the uv treatment it's normally the darker purple filmed side after you peel it you'll see one side is tinted and one side is just clear! but just thought that would be abit of interest for you I've he same on my tanks for past 3 years they are needing replacing now they do degrade break n turn green at the ends if not ducktaped and just lenf open viens! But yeah I've got near 2 years out one sheet it's been needing replacing for a while so doing it this weekend as bits are starting to fall in the water now! Just be gentle lifting them when water changing! Ps the amount of water droplets that cling to the inside roof is crazy so make sure towels are down when sitting up draining while the water change is taking place! I get puddles on the linoleum with it the condensation gets trapped in all the small slats! Keep the duck tape off the ends but use it to strengthen the long ways side and stop mould! Maybe I'll make sure mine are not actually sitting on the tanks glass lips next time either I'm gon a buy them plastic tabs that you can sit them on they will turn all mould around the edges! I'm actually on CZcams searching for Other DIY lid idea's as this is not the best solution but you'll see this in time!
Great video, I think the multi walled PC is really good. I’m in the UK and my pond is covered in this for the Winter and it is brilliant at keeping off the wind and trapping any warmth when the sun is shining. We’re having a little cold spell here at the moment and although it’s been snowing the pond hasn’t dipped below 10 degrees centigrade and I’m able to carry on feeding my goldfish and shubunkins. Love your videos Travis, really look forward to them😊 Your cat is beautiful btw
I can't help but wonder, so you think you could still do the sliding lid method while still using this material? I don't see why not but would love to hear your in put!
@@TrafishAquatics Yeah! I love this idea but know that would probably be best for me since my tanks are on a rack so I was wondering how you'd modify it to be able to push forward and back!
You would have to leave a gap in the back to allow it to slide and place a peice along the full length of the back of the tank secured with velcro to cover the gap which would allow the lid to slide back under it. If that doesnt make sense send me a message on FB and ill do a quick video to show what i mean.
The air can move in and out through the Feeding holes and any holes made for filters or airlines, plus If you have an air stone or sponge filter you'll have fresh air being pumped in constantly
@@TrafishAquatics I mean, the gas exchange stuff, not the oxygen itself. I don't know if these little holes are enough, but Im not a specialist, im might be totally wrong, im just repeating what I've heard throughout the years by many.
Yea it's more than enough for gas exchange, I've run similar Lids on many of my other tanks that were all made in a similar way, that's what's nice about air, you can cram alot of it through small spaces pretty easily 😄
Shoulda watched this before trying to make my own lol. I used acryic🤦 it was a PAIN to cut and its bowing like crazy. Don't be like me yall, do your research😅
This might be a dumb question but it came up in my head and I didn’t find anything online. A larger surface area means better gas exchange. So can a lid negatively impact the gas exchange in my tank or is the opening for the HOB enough to provide adequate oxygenation for my fish?
@@TrafishAquatics okay thanks because I have the glass lids with a plastic strip in the back. I want to cut down on humidity but I don’t want it decrease the amount of oxygen available under the lid.
I thought about this on my 33 long, BUT it don't have a center brace, never has. Old tank and side glass is 1/4" bottom is 1/2" so I may have to try glass or Plexi
Awesome teacher!! Fantastic video
Thank you
I had a greenhouse made of this stuff and learn from my mistake lol. So here's a tip I'd highly recommend for anyone using this for your aquarium lids is run a bead of clear aquarium safe cilicone along the open edges to seal off the channels. Otherwise over time moisture from the tank will make its way into the boards and turn into a green algae farm right under the light that's almost impossible to clean. Hope this helps!
plus it traps in air if the ends are fully sealed, making the panels insulated. Huge help in holding in heat.
Thanks! Great tip! I was actually wondering about that.
Thank you for your great tip!
underrated CZcams channel for the fish aquarium community.
1. I hate long videos because most of the time is eaten up by blah-blah-blah. 2. This video is GREAT! 3. I'm subscribing. 4. Thanks for making and sharing this.
Thank you I'm glad you enjoyed it
this just solved the root to all my problems thanks bro
This is awesome and so simple! Thank you.
I just made one of these myself!!! So glad I found this video
Dude, this is an awesome idea. I'm currently building a custom tank and was struggling to work out how to make a cheap yet strong lid. Then your video popped up. I will definitely be doing this. Thanks
Excellent Video. Just what I need for a 33 long tank.
Your welcome
Of All the videos done on this product yours is the best! Easy to understand and Simple thorough instructions! Thanks so much
Nice job! That tank looks awesome. I used your advice to make my own regular smooth polycarbonate lids a while back and they turned out fine.
Thank you, im glad the lids worked for you
Ya know...if you did one more thing it would make it a lot better...make it a 2 piece lid and you can slide the front piece back when you want to use it. Kinda like a glass lid would be from the factory not situated with the short side of the tank facing out. Cut the top or rear piece of your plastic to sit on the top edge of the rim and cut the front piece, the piece you use every time you need to access the aquarium (that would normally be hinged to the rear piece), cut it to fit inside the rim like it's made to, but since the rear piece is on top of the rim, that piece can them be slid back instead of hinged, sliding under the rear piece, or one big piece like what yo have here. It works great for tanks situated sort side out.
Many thanks for this great idea, I’ve just done mine, on a Juwel Vision 450 tank..greetings from Liverpool 🇬🇧
This is great video but also If you have a cat thats curious and wants to be on-top of everything and wants to jump on top of the tank the best option is to find a local glassy to cut about 6mm glass to your measurements and create a 2cm circle in the centre of the glass lid for feeding and lifting the lid off. Works a treat for the right tank doesn't cost much either.
excellent thanks now to do this for my 20 long
Yeah Lowe's didn't have a small piece only 4x8 so I'm going to try home depot and see because I used plexiglass and it is awful. Thanks for video
You may have to order online and pick up in store to get the smaller peice
Thank You so much for pointing out a great affordable option for an aquarium lid. I love it!!!😊
This is an awesome video. You make the process so simple.
Great video, tank and fish look awesome. ..thank you for sharing.
Your welcome
Some issues with this if interested in what happens after near 3 year use?
I have a stack from my old greenhouse but be aware the UV is one sided only there directional if you download 6ft by 8ft greenhouse instructions they show you what side is the uv treatment it's normally the darker purple filmed side after you peel it you'll see one side is tinted and one side is just clear! but just thought that would be abit of interest for you I've he same on my tanks for past 3 years they are needing replacing now they do degrade break n turn green at the ends if not ducktaped and just lenf open viens! But yeah I've got near 2 years out one sheet it's been needing replacing for a while so doing it this weekend as bits are starting to fall in the water now! Just be gentle lifting them when water changing! Ps the amount of water droplets that cling to the inside roof is crazy so make sure towels are down when sitting up draining while the water change is taking place! I get puddles on the linoleum with it the condensation gets trapped in all the small slats! Keep the duck tape off the ends but use it to strengthen the long ways side and stop mould! Maybe I'll make sure mine are not actually sitting on the tanks glass lips next time either I'm gon a buy them plastic tabs that you can sit them on they will turn all mould around the edges! I'm actually on CZcams searching for Other DIY lid idea's as this is not the best solution but you'll see this in time!
Good tips
Great video, I think the multi walled PC is really good. I’m in the UK and my pond is covered in this for the Winter and it is brilliant at keeping off the wind and trapping any warmth when the sun is shining. We’re having a little cold spell here at the moment and although it’s been snowing the pond hasn’t dipped below 10 degrees centigrade and I’m able to carry on feeding my goldfish and shubunkins. Love your videos Travis, really look forward to them😊
Your cat is beautiful btw
Thank you!
Thank you
Great Job love it.
Thx
Your welcome
This is a great idea!
Nice job!
Thank you
Don’t you seal the edges, to stop water and mould getting in ?
I can't help but wonder, so you think you could still do the sliding lid method while still using this material? I don't see why not but would love to hear your in put!
Do you mean where you would be able to push the lids forward and backward on top?
@@TrafishAquatics Yeah! I love this idea but know that would probably be best for me since my tanks are on a rack so I was wondering how you'd modify it to be able to push forward and back!
You would have to leave a gap in the back to allow it to slide and place a peice along the full length of the back of the tank secured with velcro to cover the gap which would allow the lid to slide back under it. If that doesnt make sense send me a message on FB and ill do a quick video to show what i mean.
@@TrafishAquatics It makes sense but at the same time I'm having a hard time picturing it. Thank you so much for being willing to do a quick demo!
Great DIY! Is there some hole for the air to get in and out?
The air can move in and out through the Feeding holes and any holes made for filters or airlines, plus If you have an air stone or sponge filter you'll have fresh air being pumped in constantly
@@TrafishAquatics I mean, the gas exchange stuff, not the oxygen itself. I don't know if these little holes are enough, but Im not a specialist, im might be totally wrong, im just repeating what I've heard throughout the years by many.
Yea it's more than enough for gas exchange, I've run similar Lids on many of my other tanks that were all made in a similar way, that's what's nice about air, you can cram alot of it through small spaces pretty easily 😄
Shoulda watched this before trying to make my own lol. I used acryic🤦 it was a PAIN to cut and its bowing like crazy. Don't be like me yall, do your research😅
Do you measure up to the inside edges of the tank? Coz the sheet will sit on the inside lip of the tank, right?
Will this be good enough for keeping a full grown Oscar from jumping out? I feel like it be too light
What’s the material called again?
Can i use any cutter?
I can’t find these sheets anywhere! Covid has created a large demand for the sheets…
Yea some of the polycarbonate is hard to find depending where you live
how to get keep ur moss so clean..mine grows like weed but traps all the brown diatoms and Detritus...acted like a sponge filter
Keep a light flow across it and it shouldn't build up
Would it withstand a cat jumping on it
Absoloutley, mine is on top of mine all the time
Hi,why you need a lid for a goldfish only aquarium?they never jump out
I keep Lids on All my aquariums to keep the humidity down
This might be a dumb question but it came up in my head and I didn’t find anything online. A larger surface area means better gas exchange. So can a lid negatively impact the gas exchange in my tank or is the opening for the HOB enough to provide adequate oxygenation for my fish?
Good question, they do slightly affect it however unless its completely sealed off it wont have a noticable effect on anything
@@TrafishAquatics okay thanks because I have the glass lids with a plastic strip in the back. I want to cut down on humidity but I don’t want it decrease the amount of oxygen available under the lid.
Yep youll be fine
I thought about this on my 33 long, BUT it don't have a center brace, never has. Old tank and side glass is 1/4" bottom is 1/2" so I may have to try glass or Plexi
This will still work this stuff is pretty stiff
Hi Travis can this type of polycarbonate be used for axolotl tank.
Sure can
Thank you
That’s a swimming pool of an aquarium! 😅
A couple years ago I got twin wall polycarbonate 4' x 8' sheets for $48. No idea what they are running now.
Double the price right now
WHERE can I buy this type plastic ?????
He has a link above.
HOW MANY MM THICKNESS DID YOU USE 6 OR 8 - THANKS
Why didn't you just go with glass???
Much more expensive
I just use plastic wrap
You can blame your president for the price
Not my prez but I know what you mean for sure
@@TrafishAquatics 🤣
Best reply ever! 😂 He’s kinda not anyone’s in a way. You’ll see. Amazing times we are living in. Have faith things are sorting out ok.
Blame Putin!! You are very ill informed