Custom Aquarium Lids

[nihard]

Anyone using custom lids made by Toplids.

 

[SupraSaltyReefer]

I have two custom lids made by TopLids.

 

[gmdcdvm]

I have a toplids on my 180. Not cheap, but quality build. They were able to set it up exactly how I wanted with cord cut outs, light cut outs, feed doors, avast plank feeder cut out. They also made a door for the avast plank feeder cut out in case I need to remove it for any reason. They were the only company for my 180 that would split the lid in two pieces. Allt the others would only make a one piece lid. I don't know if the others have changed their set up. My tank is 5ft long. I can't imagine having to remove a 5ft one piece lid every time I needed access to it.

 

[nihard]

Thank you for sharing your experience. I have a Cade 1800 which is 6 feet long. How thick is lid and also does salt creep build up in the bottom.

 

[gmdcdvm]

Here are some pics from when they were brand new. I ordered the optional evaporation covers that I use mainly in the winter when the air is dry. I think overall the lids are about 1/4" think. The edges are shaped to cover the top edges of the glass which gives is a flush look. You can see the two pieces along with the light cut outs. You can call to place an order. I forget the guy's name, but he goes over all the details. Tank type, model, size. You will need to take measurements of the tank dimensions. Then, make your requests for where you want cord cut outs, light cut outs, feed doors, etc. He goes over all the details with you and will make recommendations based on their experience, but obviously you have the final say. They will eventually send you a rendition of what it will look like for you to approve before they begin to work on it. Overall a really good experience for me and the lids have held up over the last 4-5 years. Only issue I have seen so far is algae growth in the grooves where the mesh is attached.

As for slat creep...before I added the auto feeder I did not really have any problems. Since the auto feeder is near the edge I get salt creep as the fish splash around during feedings. In the second pick you can see a little bit of water between the top edge of the glass and the lid.

Thank you for sharing your experience. I have a Cade 1800 which is 6 feet long. How thick is lid and also does salt creep build up in the bottom.

 

[nihard]

Looking nice.thanks

 

[Alexander1312]

Thread 'Custom Tank Cover / Lids - Wrasse ready - Recommendations and Lessons Learned'

Jun 27, 2024

I am planning to get my first wrasse in the next few weeks, but I hesitated due to their tendency to jump - currently planning to get a pseudochelinus ocellatus.



Finding a tank cover appears more difficult than anticipated. One reason is that the IM 150 is not a super standard tank, so we will need to measure from scratch, etc. Another reason is that the cost of a good cover appears to be very (!) high, even for reefing standards. Lastly, there seem to be many cutouts to decide on, and I worry that I might not be forward-looking enough with my decisions and then regret not...

• Alexander1312
• Replies: 108
• Forum: Equipment

• 

I believe I did not have good things to say about top lids.

I would ALWAYS go to Matt from Octo Aquatics first. He is the OG for lids.

 

[jepoy]

Just got mine from fragtide, found them on etsy. Definitely cheaper than toplids and kraken. The guy who owns it also set up a phone call with me to get exactly what I want for my lid. I'm happy with what i got.

 

[nihard]

That’s great. Could please share some pictures. Also how big is the price difference. Thanks

 

[jepoy]

That’s great. Could please share some pictures. Also how big is the price difference. Thanks

The image below is from their website, my lid looks very similar to this (including the neon orange lining) except mine is a single lid. IIRC i saved around $50

 

[ksliech]

I've got a Kraken Reef lid with AFS and custom cutouts that I'm very happy with. The AFS cutout w/ screen also works ok with my Plank feeder (the AFS was a loud piece of garbage), you just can't use the underwater piece.

 

[Darkxerox]

I've got a Kraken Reef lid with AFS and custom cutouts that I'm very happy with. The AFS cutout w/ screen also works ok with my Plank feeder (the AFS was a loud piece of garbage), you just can't use the underwater piece.

Are you seeing more or less wall reflection/spill with the lid? That's what I'm struggling with for some of these vendors.

 

[ksliech]

Are you seeing more or less wall reflection/spill with the lid? That's what I'm struggling with for some of these vendors.

Hard to say - there's so much wall reflection/spill already it's all kind of moot

 

[Darkxerox]

Hard to say - there's so much wall reflection/spill already it's all kind of moot

Hah fair!

 

[Qckslvr]

my 30 gallon came with a TopLids cover. I like it, it has a hole for feeding, and it is nicer than having the original biocube lid.