DIY Aquarium Lids | STOP EVAPORATION & Condensation From Fish Tanks

DIY Aquarium Lids | Stop Evaporation & Condensation from Fish Tank
We take a look at how I have stopped my fish tank evaporation in my fish room. My glass lids for my aquariums went missing or broke many years ago and I was getting a lot of evaporation which caused condensation leading to mold and fungus in my fish room. I have used acrylic lids on some of my tanks but my more recent DIY aquarium lids are made from polycarbonate sheets normally used for greenhouses. I much prefer the polycarbonate lids as they are lighter and do not bend.
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[@steviekehoe]

I've used that twin wall polycarbonate in my greenhouse for years! Top tip tape up the ends to stop water getting inside it and discolouring it/ allowing algae to grow in it. I recommend clear lens tape, it's used for patching broken car lights.

[@EverydayAquarist]

Great tip thanks!

[@TripleJAquatics]

For anyone who doesn't have, or doesn't want to use power tools: The polycarbonate sheets can be cut with a razor blade. This is how I do it, and find it faster and easier.

[@lazyreefer8749]

I was just thinking of doing a new lid for my reef tank...... since I've got nothing else to do. Keep up the good work mate. 👍

[@EverydayAquarist]

Thanks! It makes a huge difference. I was having to top up 25L RO a week for just the 5ft, but now I barely put in 5L a week!

[@Jaystars]

I picked up some from homebase as it was a lot thiner than the stuff from B&Q. £12 a sheet and I was able to cut it with a sturdy pair of scissors.

[@SequoiaElisabeth]

Love the Poly dual wall for lids! I actually dropped a heavy light on my lid and nothing broke, the lid held. Amazing material. A circular saw with a tile blade works well for cutting them.

[@EverydayAquarist]

It's brilliant stuff!

[@ryanwatson6217]

I used the perspex style and like you say the bow a lot, so I'm gonna try the recommend one. Thanks

[@christopherrobert8897]

I use Lexan plastic, it does not warp, and is stronger so it does not break very easy. Jig saw cuts it nicely, or score and snap.

[@duncanthebikenut]

thank you, very helpful. try a stanley knife to cut polycarbonate

[@dean8553]

Hi ideally how thick would you recommend the polycarbonate sheet? Sorry if I missed that. Thanks 👍

[@Ekster77]

Your fish stay fairly calm whilst you're tapping on the lid😆. My pygmaeus corys would be petrified when that happened. I like the look of the second material by the way. Because of my snails and Japonica shrimps I can't do without a lid so all the nice lidless (can you say it like that in English?) nano tanks I saw, I didn't even consider buying. Maybe in the future I will, thanks to your video!👍. Have you ever made that stuff warm to bend it? Also a nice tip about the suction cup by the way😁. Greetings from Gerda

[@EverydayAquarist]

They associated the lid noise with food now so they aren't scared. I haven't tried bending it yet but I may when I build a greenhouse with what I have left! Thanks for watching ❤️

[@milkspotscausemetospazzout6813]

I just wanna know if it creates to much heat for coral..I just made a lid for my reef tank.I went to Lows and got a sheet of glass and a cutter and it's nice looking ..

[@seangriffiths9163]

It's great for a fish foom or a few extra tanks. For a display tank you cant beat glass in my opinion.

[@stubbsaquatics6080]

Ya I have to turn mine too but my older ones must be a bit thicker as they don't bend. Good idea on the poly sheets.. Will use them from now on.. How is the cost on the poly.. This was a great vid from start to finish.. Really good

[@EverydayAquarist]

Thanks someone said £10 a sheet but I bought mine on ebay for £42 delivered for 6 sheets

[@kyliemervin]

Thankyou

[@noorhtc]

Is there anyway to prevent condensation on a clear acrylic lid? I like the clear view of the top of my aquarium, hence I've placed clear acrylic sheet on top if my aquarium, however the condensation creates a mist and frosted view of the top making it hard to see the my fish from top view. Any advice or recommendations?

[@MrCharlesgoody]

Good video, do you have the link to where you got yours? Having an easily customisable lid is very useful.

[@EverydayAquarist]

Hi its just from ebay looking for greenhouse polycarbonate sheets

[@sahvvie]

what was it that you used in the tanks to hold up the diy lids?!

[@markwehrle5069]

I came to your channel thinking you had done a similar video some time ago and this popped up, handy that! Going to try some budget lights on a softies/marco algae but they seem quite focused, does the twin wall diffuse light well? Do you get away with not using an auto top off with these lids and just topping off before water changes? A lot of people worry about oxygen exchange too but tighter fitting lids with a couple of small holes (Jewel for example) have never been an issue for freshwater for decades??

[@EverydayAquarist]

Hi the light goes through fine, maybe a little diffuse but not overly. I don't need to top up very often any more as these lids work wonders. I have no issues with oxygen as there are enough little gaps around for gasses to flow in and out

[@BellaBeeBaby]

Can I use a 30 gallon heater for a 10 gallon tank?

[@Jdicecream]

I have a 48x48 with a hole in the middle for a refugium I hope this will work 😂

[@matel9477]

there is water dripping from the lid clips i have on my open top tank. I'm assuming its because water might be a bit high and is touching the clips and is sort of carrying it over to the other side of the glass.

[@pigeonpete4193]

Great video. What is the thickness of that sheet and does it cut the light out going into the tank

[@EverydayAquarist]

Hi I bought 4mm double layer (there's a triple layer one) i cant see any difference in the light and the plants/algaes/corals haven't had any problems with it

[@EverydayAquarist]

Just from ebay probably paid more than its worth but it arrived quickly

[@EverydayAquarist]

No it's watertight so far

[@hakman239]

Do these lids affect light for coral growth because it blocks uv and on groups people are saying it blocks light for corals

[@brookelangley9881]

Do you think black acrylic lids on tanks are fine if you also have a glass lid below it ? Mine has two glass panels and then the light sits on top with a black plastic lid on top.

[@ROTTERtube]

you said humidity from no lid caused mold and algae on your roof? of the house?

[@EverydayAquarist]

Shed

[@leeandmandybattersby5958]

was looking at using this myself but if its uv protected surely it wouldnt let the fullspectrum through

[@EverydayAquarist]

It is designed for greenhouses mainly so must let through the spectrum that plants need to grow

[@buendiasolutions]

Is there a way to stop algae from growing in between the rows of the plastic? Do you seal the ends?

[@EverydayAquarist]

You can do with silicone. I just clean mine regularly

[@jesusmalverde612]

What's the lid sitting on

[@FISHTANKCULTURE369]

Hi I follow ur FB page as well, I really need your advice on keeping taxifolia. I get 2 strand that grow by the time the third one comes out the first one goes white. I even tried dosing Ferrum but not working out ,my temperature is 27

[@EverydayAquarist]

Hi this shouldn't be a hard algae to grow so I would say the environment is probably the thing causing the issue. It needs aquarium stability and probably a lower temperature. Taxifolia is usually bullet proof so very hard to diagnose the issue

[@FISHTANKCULTURE369]

@@EverydayAquarist ok so I think temperature is the problem, I have some racemosa and codium in shipment do u think they would fare well ? Any acclimation advice ? They were packed this Tuesday

[@EverydayAquarist]

Codium ships well but if you haven't received the racemosa by now it probably won't be very good. Acclimate as you would a coral

[@Mrtom40]

If you have the light on top of the lid would it stop good light to the plants

[@EverydayAquarist]

No, because I have use the sheets designed for greenhouses which allows good light through

[@Mrtom40]

@@EverydayAquarist if i sent u the link to the one i got would u tell me if it’s ok please

[@AndrewKilvington]

What is the name of the greenhouse material please?

[@EverydayAquarist]

Polycarbonate sheet

[@StuEvans]

Did some lids the other day. I swear your watching me.

[@EverydayAquarist]

👀

[@EverydayAquarist]

Here's a little video about how I made DIY lids for all the tanks in my fish room. Evaporation and condensation can cause damage to the area it's in due to mold/fungi caused by the moisture and humidity. This was the case for me anyway and i solved it simply with lids! FOR EXCLUSIVE VIDEOS CHECK OUT MY PATREON PAGE: www.patreon.com/EverydayAquarist

[@timothychambers9064]

Cut bubble wrap to fit on top, cut out notches where need be, let it float on water surface, bubble side down, problem solved, cheapest option possible ..... You're welcome....

[@Nubi-fw3di]

Horrible!!!

[@no-knickers-emma1112]

Can we have an update on the big shrimp tank please?

[@EverydayAquarist]

Can do