These look good enough for anywhere I'd want to put them I don't have a fish room. The nice simple style is perfect. I used to do stained glass so the glass cutting won't be a problem. Simply Betta sent me. Eventually I want to get some of her wild bettas and put them in tanks with lids like these and some other fish too thank you so much
After watching this video I was inspired to complete three glass top projects that I have been thinking about for a while. I had some old glass tops that did not fit any of my current aquariums. I cut the glass to fit 3 aquariums and some plexiglass too. I have a half height 10 gal like the one you showed, and I had the side rails so I put that one together. Thank you for your videos and the time you take to share aquarium stuff.
Usually in the same place you find the plastic molding that Steve used, you can find a piece of small white plastic J molding(that's like a 1/4 inch on the bottom and a 1/2 on top. I used that stuff to cover the edges of the glass. Put a couple dabs of silicone on and it keeps the glass from cutting you, and also keeps it from wanting to dig into the piece its sliding on too.
How is this video not more watched than it is? That's a super cool idea. Cheap. Effective. Easy to make. I love it. Wish I'd seen this before I just bought 2 versa tops for my new 55. Gonna be using these in future. Awesome idea. Thanks
i got all my tanks second hand and they all came with no lids. i found the same idea on youtube and luckily I work at a Ace Hardware and we cut glass to size for sale. the only thing i did different were the handles. i used a 3" X 3" of plexi glass that i heated up and folded at a 90 degree angle. and i just used a little bit of clear epoxy to glue them in place. the lids work very well and they are easy to take out uf needed. Great DIY vid!
Originally didn’t plan to have a lid on my new aquarium, but then changed my mind a few days into cycling it. Clearly should have thought about that before buying a lid-less one which doesn’t fit any type of lid on the market 😂 Stumbled across your video by accident a couple hours into my lid search for a second evening. Thanks so much for this, feels good to have a nice-fitting, smart-looking lid that I made myself 😄
I went to Lowes, and their smallest 'sheet' of glass was perfect for my 55g. needed 4 pieces, and did this on both ends. also got drawer handles/knobs from there, as well as the molding. everything was $24 total, they cut the glass for me, and it was easy. :) I also painted the molding pieces Black, so it's virtually invisible and looks great in my Living room "show" tank.
Glad I could inspire someone whom I look up to on youtube!....but I will say this was not my original creation! After having used these for some time now I will say they are not perfect on all tanks. They bind up a bit on some of my larger tanks.....and I did not get my edges seamed which has resulted in me cutting myself more than a few times! I've added in more trim to cover the edges so I dont cut myself with daily maintenance!
What do you do about the tubing for the filters? Leave a small gap? And what kind of lights would you use? Seems like Shorter LED lights would not be bright enough with just one and if there were two… the light would be in the way of the sliding door. Can someone tell me how to manage these two things before I do this project? I like this lid idea but can’t seem to figure out those issues.
www.homedepot.com/p/852-1-2-in-x-3-4-in-x-8-ft-PVC-Composite-White-Outside-Corner-Moulding-0085208011/100540903 This worked for me. hope it helped in time
For the handle, you can buy a pack of adhesive wall hooks (at almost any dollar store). And if the adhesive isn’t strong enough, there’s always superglue.
I like this because it's not shabby, janky or ghetto. I want to suggest something a little different though, although this is the best idea I've come across yet. And if your goal is purely economical, this might not be the thing for you. But if you want something a little better, maybe a bit more money, maybe not, there is another way of doing this. I used to build reptile cages professionally, so I've built lots of things like this. If your situating your tanks short side of the tank facing out, like in this video, as opposed to long side out as you would do with one tank in your living room, there is a little better way to do this...maybe...I'd have to use them both, but hear me out. You can use either that thinner glass as above (the problem with that is it is so thin the edges can't be "sealed" or smoothed over) but my preference would be 1/4" thick as it is more substantial, can be "sealed" and getting daily use, the heavier glass might be better. At least the front piece that is moving when sliding open. It sure is a better feel. Or you can use the polycarbonate material as seen in other videos, and if you can somehow seal the ends of that stuff (and I've got an idea for that), it traps air and thus has an insulative property, keeping your heat in much more effectively, thereby saving your heaters is using them. Anyway, you use the same dimensions as in this video, except the back piece is attached to the TOP of the plastic rim...maybe permanently, maybe not (using some L channel around the 3 sides would keep it in place nicely, or you could glue it on which would be permanent). You use the same dimension front piece that goes in the lip where the lid is meant to go. This way, the front piece, the one with the handle you use every time you get in the tank, it slides UNDER the top piece, which I think is better because in this scenario the front piece is on top and there really is nothing to hold it down or give it any guidance. Kinda flimsy. Does this make any sense? What do you all think?
Thank you so much for the idea! It worked beautifully!! But I have a problem with the glass of the hood getting foggy and the light doesn’t pass through as well. Is there any tips to prevent the glass from getting foggy???
Great informative video, My bug bear is cleaning the glass. removing the four glass pains then struggling to get them back in the guid runners. I find lemon and distilled water mix is best.
you could cut up old tanks that leak, and make your own lids. ive never done it, but lids are so expensive. i find glass from resale shops, glass that would be used on furnitire shelving, so its kind of thick, and use that, and regular wood i fond in the garbage. i can set those dome shop lights right on the glass, and its ok. Nothing breaks, or cracks.
Hi questions am going to do this to my 10 gallon but like ur other ones facing us so how much glass do I cut so it has room to slide back or just cut the one I slide alittle bigger this is my problem not sure where to cut but understand everything else TY
1. Do I have to use an Aqueon tank? 2. Thinking about laying the tank on its side and creating a vivarium for a petsnake. Do u think this'll work for that? Is the door too loose?
If you have an aquarium lid does that mean you have to have an air stone to ensure gas exchange or would the fish be fine without? Also if I want the front piece to slide underneath instead of over (bc I want to lay lights right on back piece) I can just flip the mounding right?
Urgent question! I'm putting a 75 gallon in my new house soon, has a stand and I found a great video on building a 100% custom remote controlled light bar, but glass lids are SO expensive for bigger tanks. Any advice on making a heavy lid like that first one you showed us? It needs to withstand dojo loaches which can grow up to 10 inches and are notorious for being strong jumpers. Thanks!
I have no idea if anyone can help me with this but I have a 36 gal bowfront tank I ordered a glass lid for only to realize that there is no lip on the top of the tank, it's just the glass... So there's nothing for the lid to set into. Is there a way to make a rim for it so I can use the lid I bought?
I'm always terrified the aqueon lid is going to fall into my tank or I'm going to lose my grip and it will fall and crack. These look so much more stable.
How could I make this snake safe? My corny is an absolute escape artist, would it be best to super/ hot glue the plastic to the top? What lock would be best for this?
Just about all versa tops these days are always off a little and what they want for them is also a huge rip off in my opinion. Appreciate you sharing. Thank You
you could get something like paint sticks, and make a boarder. Then adhere screen too it and make it the same way as this. I'm not sure it it would be fully sealed, but it would probably work
Anyone try using Lexan ? Seems like it would be lighter, easier to work with? Just a thought? Not sure how well it would hold up to the heat of a 6500k LED light an inch above it though? Hmm i may give the Lexan a whirl. Thanks for sharing, handy solution here with those plastic tracks for the sides on top of aquariums with the ridges.
polycarbonate is awesome for such things, easily takes 100°C, and is virtually unbreakable*. but more expensive than glass, and more time consuming, and IMHO harder to work with as well. glass you score, snap, and quickly break the edges with sand paper - PC must be sawn, the edges need more finishing work to look neat, and it scratches MUCH more easily. ( *= i shot a 3mm macrolon sheet with a longbow, and a pointy "bullet" tip only left dings in it. one arrow broke. that stuff would make formidable light body armour )
I just put together over 16 of these lids - thanks for showing me how!
Simply Betta hi I am your subscriber
@@rohans3447 Me too
And I'm here from her video!!
These look good enough for anywhere I'd want to put them I don't have a fish room. The nice simple style is perfect. I used to do stained glass so the glass cutting won't be a problem. Simply Betta sent me. Eventually I want to get some of her wild bettas and put them in tanks with lids like these and some other fish too thank you so much
After watching this video I was inspired to complete three glass top projects that I have been thinking about for a while. I had some old glass tops that did not fit any of my current aquariums. I cut the glass to fit 3 aquariums and some plexiglass too. I have a half height 10 gal like the one you showed, and I had the side rails so I put that one together. Thank you for your videos and the time you take to share aquarium stuff.
Usually in the same place you find the plastic molding that Steve used, you can find a piece of small white plastic J molding(that's like a 1/4 inch on the bottom and a 1/2 on top. I used that stuff to cover the edges of the glass. Put a couple dabs of silicone on and it keeps the glass from cutting you, and also keeps it from wanting to dig into the piece its sliding on too.
How is this video not more watched than it is? That's a super cool idea. Cheap. Effective. Easy to make. I love it. Wish I'd seen this before I just bought 2 versa tops for my new 55. Gonna be using these in future. Awesome idea. Thanks
i got all my tanks second hand and they all came with no lids. i found the same idea on youtube and luckily I work at a Ace Hardware and we cut glass to size for sale. the only thing i did different were the handles. i used a 3" X 3" of plexi glass that i heated up and folded at a 90 degree angle. and i just used a little bit of clear epoxy to glue them in place. the lids work very well and they are easy to take out uf needed. Great DIY vid!
Originally didn’t plan to have a lid on my new aquarium, but then changed my mind a few days into cycling it. Clearly should have thought about that before buying a lid-less one which doesn’t fit any type of lid on the market 😂 Stumbled across your video by accident a couple hours into my lid search for a second evening. Thanks so much for this, feels good to have a nice-fitting, smart-looking lid that I made myself 😄
Awesome DIY project Steve. Looks like this is going to save you a good amount of time in your fish room.
+inventoryking yes and solves a huge annoyance
I love simple solutions. There is a certain brilliance in this. Thank you!
Great project for most fish rooms. I've used the 3m hooks as handles too.
Dee From Brooklyn I got six from the dollar tree
I just used the extra trim to put on the front of the sliding glass for a very discreet handle. Glass and trim was $12 for a 90 gallon tank.
I went to Lowes, and their smallest 'sheet' of glass was perfect for my 55g. needed 4 pieces, and did this on both ends. also got drawer handles/knobs from there, as well as the molding. everything was $24 total, they cut the glass for me, and it was easy. :) I also painted the molding pieces Black, so it's virtually invisible and looks great in my Living room "show" tank.
Glad I could inspire someone whom I look up to on youtube!....but I will say this was not my original creation! After having used these for some time now I will say they are not perfect on all tanks. They bind up a bit on some of my larger tanks.....and I did not get my edges seamed which has resulted in me cutting myself more than a few times! I've added in more trim to cover the edges so I dont cut myself with daily maintenance!
Link to outside corner molding you used. My searches reveal something other than your picture.
Are you kidding me? I've been looking at lids that cost upwards of 75$ and I can make on for what? 7$?
What do you do about the tubing for the filters? Leave a small gap? And what kind of lights would you use? Seems like Shorter LED lights would not be bright enough with just one and if there were two… the light would be in the way of the sliding door. Can someone tell me how to manage these two things before I do this project? I like this lid idea but can’t seem to figure out those issues.
Lowes here cuts glass. So I'm going to have to try this! Thanks for sharing.
+Tropical Fish Success they wouldn't do it for me here. Hopefully yours will
outside corner moulding in the link is no longer available at home depot, can you recommend anything else?
www.homedepot.com/p/852-1-2-in-x-3-4-in-x-8-ft-PVC-Composite-White-Outside-Corner-Moulding-0085208011/100540903
This worked for me. hope it helped in time
Wow this is so creative great idea for my fish tanks I'm new still learning
That's a great idea for a lid. If you buy this glass at home depot or lowes, they will cut it to size at no extra charge.
For the handle, you can buy a pack of adhesive wall hooks (at almost any dollar store). And if the adhesive isn’t strong enough, there’s always superglue.
Thank you Steve. Telling sizes sure matters.
I superglue a coke bottle cap to the glass for a handle👍
Thanks! Great idea
I like this because it's not shabby, janky or ghetto. I want to suggest something a little different though, although this is the best idea I've come across yet. And if your goal is purely economical, this might not be the thing for you. But if you want something a little better, maybe a bit more money, maybe not, there is another way of doing this. I used to build reptile cages professionally, so I've built lots of things like this. If your situating your tanks short side of the tank facing out, like in this video, as opposed to long side out as you would do with one tank in your living room, there is a little better way to do this...maybe...I'd have to use them both, but hear me out. You can use either that thinner glass as above (the problem with that is it is so thin the edges can't be "sealed" or smoothed over) but my preference would be 1/4" thick as it is more substantial, can be "sealed" and getting daily use, the heavier glass might be better. At least the front piece that is moving when sliding open. It sure is a better feel. Or you can use the polycarbonate material as seen in other videos, and if you can somehow seal the ends of that stuff (and I've got an idea for that), it traps air and thus has an insulative property, keeping your heat in much more effectively, thereby saving your heaters is using them. Anyway, you use the same dimensions as in this video, except the back piece is attached to the TOP of the plastic rim...maybe permanently, maybe not (using some L channel around the 3 sides would keep it in place nicely, or you could glue it on which would be permanent). You use the same dimension front piece that goes in the lip where the lid is meant to go. This way, the front piece, the one with the handle you use every time you get in the tank, it slides UNDER the top piece, which I think is better because in this scenario the front piece is on top and there really is nothing to hold it down or give it any guidance. Kinda flimsy. Does this make any sense? What do you all think?
Thank you so much for the idea! It worked beautifully!! But I have a problem with the glass of the hood getting foggy and the light doesn’t pass through as well. Is there any tips to prevent the glass from getting foggy???
I have old picture frames that I got at good will that I have been using ....the channels are perfect solution. Thank you
So easy and inexpensive. Ty
Great informative video, My bug bear is cleaning the glass. removing the four glass pains then struggling to get them back in the guid runners. I find lemon and distilled water mix is best.
This is really innovative and affordable. 🎉
you could cut up old tanks that leak, and make your own lids. ive never done it, but lids are so expensive. i find glass from resale shops, glass that would be used on furnitire shelving, so its kind of thick, and use that, and regular wood i fond in the garbage. i can set those dome shop lights right on the glass, and its ok. Nothing breaks, or cracks.
or just reseal the leaky tanks!
some of it may be tempered glass, FYI.
Cracked my first glass top years ago by putting a shoplight on it.
This was so super cool to watch steve and as always you made it look so super easy to do .... excellent video 🤗
+PsychedelicBabe thanks PB!
Hi questions am going to do this to my 10 gallon but like ur other ones facing us so how much glass do I cut so it has room to slide back or just cut the one I slide alittle bigger this is my problem not sure where to cut but understand everything else TY
How do you run your air line tubing and heater cord, with this setup. love the video
Cut holes? He's already telling you to cut glass, so just cut a little bit a the back...
I'm just discovered your video,...Nice concept, thank you for uploaded
Thanks for the tip, i was able to source and make 4 of these today! I appreciate it
great idea. Regards from Poland:) Krakow
1. Do I have to use an Aqueon tank?
2. Thinking about laying the tank on its side and creating a vivarium for a petsnake. Do u think this'll work for that? Is the door too loose?
You can make the handles with plexiglass and superglue. Works great. I stuck them on with plastic epoxy glue.
+mvecellio1 great tip, thanks!
ace hardware will custom cut glass and plexiglass for you!
Kitty Mae Sweet! Thanks for letting us know
Lowe’s will too, they just have a limit on how thick of plexi they will cut.
Thank you
awesome fix to the problem.... I will be doing this in my fish room too for the fry tanks
If you have an aquarium lid does that mean you have to have an air stone to ensure gas exchange or would the fish be fine without? Also if I want the front piece to slide underneath instead of over (bc I want to lay lights right on back piece) I can just flip the mounding right?
What is this trim called? I am struggling to find it
Is my inner lid is 28.6 inches. How long should I cut my glass to with that mould on? 28inch? Could you check the width of that plastic?
where do you put your hanging filter? I would love to do this for my 55 gallon tank that i have 2 filters on.
This was super helpful. Thanks a lot!
is 3/32 inch glass thickness thick enough to hold the stationary piece at the bottom?
then how would you let the filter water get in if its completely sealed off....
he leaves the rear glass slid forward for space
Is the glass tempered glass?
Is the moving glass layer secured on there or could something push out if it wanted?
+Lady Weirdo it’s not secured so I guess a strong fish could push it. But this is a 10g so nothing too big would be in there anyway
If i dont have trim on aquarium can i silicon outside molding on it?
Thank you I am going to try this !
Would you be able to turn it on its side to make it kind of like a terrarium for reptiles?
MyLittleImperfection that is what I'm trying to find out. it looks like it should work...
Guys I have no idea. Never kept reptiles.
MyLittleImperfection Get a mesh screen lid for reptiles. Zoo med has many.
Urgent question! I'm putting a 75 gallon in my new house soon, has a stand and I found a great video on building a 100% custom remote controlled light bar, but glass lids are SO expensive for bigger tanks. Any advice on making a heavy lid like that first one you showed us? It needs to withstand dojo loaches which can grow up to 10 inches and are notorious for being strong jumpers. Thanks!
Lids for a 75 aren’t that expensive. I would shop around. Drs foster smith is usually my go to. It’s worth investing in.
Excellent. What I need for 60 gal
great idea...it also looks nice.
2:17 - It is beautiful !
3m Command Hooks make great handles. They come in white or black plastic. Plus you can find them locally so no ordering needed :)
+Chad Davis now that's a great tip. Thanks buddy
How much weight does it hold?
I have no idea if anyone can help me with this but I have a 36 gal bowfront tank I ordered a glass lid for only to realize that there is no lip on the top of the tank, it's just the glass... So there's nothing for the lid to set into. Is there a way to make a rim for it so I can use the lid I bought?
I'm always terrified the aqueon lid is going to fall into my tank or I'm going to lose my grip and it will fall and crack. These look so much more stable.
Could you do plexiglass instead?
Trying to figure out how to make something like this for a corner bow tank. Has that weird shape up top.
Miyoshi Hemingway make a template of the shape with a piece of cardboard. And use that as a guide for your glass cutter.
Miyoshi Hemingway Meee toooo! What did you end up doing???
How about hang on filter hob on the back... adjustments needed necessary
What is the bottom piece that you used on the bottom of this
Thanks for the idea. I was looking for something like that.
+Tobias Phillips 👍🏻
Is top glass secure enough? I mean not to fall out
Where do you get the black rim on the top? I dont have a rim, the aquarium is glass only.
We don't have top sliding rails in India can you help me to get one am so eager to get one my tank size is 36 inches X 15 inches
How could I make this snake safe? My corny is an absolute escape artist, would it be best to super/ hot glue the plastic to the top? What lock would be best for this?
Never kept snakes so I can’t really speak to how to modify this. I would think maybe they make enclosures specifically for snakes though.
I would not use this for a snake, they need ventilation. Make or buy a screen top for your corn.
J. D. Thanks for the answer!! Will do!
Can I use acrylic instead
Plz tell mi how to make brace support and which material is use for it
That's a good idea bro lol I had this problem for my QT tanks so I moved them but with this I may move it back
This could be done to the Aquion lids you already have to make them sliding instead of hinging.
Great idea! Thx for sharing
What is that black frame like thing around the top edges of the aquarium called?
It’s called the frame
Wow great info! Thank you.
Im struggling to find that plastic molding in the uk
Yeah one small mistake there's thousands of pieces of glass. How does this work with hob filters and airlines?
I can’t find that track thing, been looking online and don’t know what it’s called. Anyone else on here have luck finding one?
Smart. Thanks for the video
Thank you nice lid..going to try this...
Love the design, except for the part about needing some open space for heater cords and filter tubing.
can i implement this way for tank gex glassterior
could you use the glass from photoframes instead of buying sheets from a hardware store? :)
How would I attach my clip on plant light?
but your aquarium needs to have inner frame to be sit on right?
I'm confused about the "stationary piece". how are you reaching in, with that there? ya didn't touch on that at the end or at all.
+Ron Riggs I just reach in in front of it. Worst case I remove it if I need to get to the back, which is almost never
doesn't it run from front to back? the stationary piece
It covers the back third of the bank
oh okay. I get it now
and where to i put the filter?
How would you recommend to modify the design to make the lid air permeable, like with screen or Plexiglas and holes (for plants/animals)?
Window screen material.
Dude, super smart Thank you!
Can I keep two breeding group together in the same tank with a divider not much room in my apartment
Just about all versa tops these days are always off a little and what they want for them is also a huge rip off in my opinion. Appreciate you sharing. Thank You
Can u use plexi glass?
don't use plexi, it will bow severely from the moisture. i even tried 1/4" plexi and it still bowed
where do the wires go?
you could move the back panel a cm or two forward and that will create sufficient room.
Cut notches in the plastic
@@wesleysavage444 what plastic? I thought he used glass .
@@frandegroat7943 the clear white plastic piece in the back that slips onto the class
Plz make video on how make brace support
But where would you put the lights on that canopy?
AZI3623 literally right on top.
if there is a water filter hanging , then?
Too amazing
How could I do this with a screen lid?
you could get something like paint sticks, and make a boarder. Then adhere screen too it and make it the same way as this. I'm not sure it it would be fully sealed, but it would probably work
Bob Saget you can't buy one, that is why he is asking, or it is expensive
could you use this for a snake tank lie can the snake escape
Anyone try using Lexan ? Seems like it would be lighter, easier to work with? Just a thought? Not sure how well it would hold up to the heat of a 6500k LED light an inch above it though? Hmm i may give the Lexan a whirl.
Thanks for sharing, handy solution here with those plastic tracks for the sides on top of aquariums with the ridges.
polycarbonate is awesome for such things, easily takes 100°C, and is virtually unbreakable*. but more expensive than glass, and more time consuming, and IMHO harder to work with as well. glass you score, snap, and quickly break the edges with sand paper - PC must be sawn, the edges need more finishing work to look neat, and it scratches MUCH more easily.
( *= i shot a 3mm macrolon sheet with a longbow, and a pointy "bullet" tip only left dings in it. one arrow broke. that stuff would make formidable light body armour )
Cool video
+Adam C thanks Adam
They don't look too bad when you paint them either but just the top of the paint scrapes off from the glass sliding back-and-forth