New Tank Build?

[FISHnLAB]

That all sounds great I think all fish are a jump risk, the only fish I lost from jumping was a puffer fish which had little reputation for this. Immediately got the lid after that, I got the jump guard which is great just need to be intelligent on how you build it with space for pipes and a gap for feeding but you can get a feeding portal, which I want to add. I'm going to reshape mine soon as I grow riparian plants and I want to increase this soon so need to trim some width off it.

An other advantage of the mesh lids is you don't loose the PAR from the lights and some of the other negatives you mentioned from a glass or acrylic and you can get different mesh to make it more invisible. I have the standard black mesh now but I might try and change this for a clear one with a really fine thread so it goes a bit more invisible. Then its just the black frame around the edge which is fine really. One thing I am going to do is make a bit of a modification and cut the side lengths in half and secure it with some tape so I have a flap on the lid essentially, that way I can open it without taking the whole thing off.

Wills

I figured as much. Sorry about your Puffer Wills. Yes, the D&D seams like one of the better options and is currently my preference. What do you think about a custom made glass lid with a large rectangular hole in it so that the lid only covers say 4 inches(or more) around the perimeter of the tank rim? Seams like a best of both worlds approach. Think it would prevent fish from jumping out? If I go the mesh route I will definitely take my time and think about all the routing(there won't be much in this tank anyway other then 2 glass lily pipes).

Your tank/tanks sounds nice. You said I can see it if I go to your signature on desktop? I don't often use a laptop anymore but, may dig it out to see it.

That sounds like a good plan. If I go mesh I will get the most translucent option. I wonder if anyone makes one out of polycarbonate or acrylic so the frame is less visible?

Part of the reason I want to go rimless too is that is what I have now(3 gallon unplanted). It just houses a lone male Dragon Scale Plakat Betta(Chester) and has a glass lid with feeding hole that I covered with thin plastic(I rarely use it and just take the lid off to feed) ...

 

[Wills]

Since you asked nicely here are my tanks https://www.fishforums.net/threads/aquascaper-600.461749/ and https://www.fishforums.net/threads/ada-60f-v2-0.482252/

I have seen acrylic rims for mesh but I can't remember the brand, the metal ones are pretty simple its just shaped so you can put in an elastic string then trim it. I do wonder if you could just rely on floating plants though, I've seen it before where people use a big ring of airline and the plants grow on the outside which could act as the barrier you said about.

Wills

 

[FISHnLAB]

Since you asked nicely here are my tanks https://www.fishforums.net/threads/aquascaper-600.461749/ and https://www.fishforums.net/threads/ada-60f-v2-0.482252/

I have seen acrylic rims for mesh but I can't remember the brand, the metal ones are pretty simple its just shaped so you can put in an elastic string then trim it. I do wonder if you could just rely on floating plants though, I've seen it before where people use a big ring of airline and the plants grow on the outside which could act as the barrier you said about.

Wills

Thanks Wills, you saved me digging out my old laptop(I probably use a computer less then a couple of times per year these days lol). Wow those are some super nice tanks. I especially like the ADA tank. Maybe one day I will own a nice complete ADA setup with a print of Takeshi Amano hung above it. I'm going to spend some time and read through your builds...

After some research I have found and decided on a lid. I talked to the company and am going to go with a custom machined Polycarbonate/mesh lid from Clearview Lids in the Pisces Exo Style. Here is what it will look like approximately but, I will have it built in a one piece design with a large feeding port with lid...

ClearView Lids - The Difference is Clear and the answer is here!

ClearView Lids are designed specifically for your aquarium. Our polycarbonate aquarium lids feature a much more durable design than can be found with acrylic fish tank lids or aluminum frame lids. ClearView Lids are available for popular tanks such as those made by Red Sea, WaterBox, Innovative...

www.clearviewlids.com

Also, not 100% yet but, it's looking like I will be going with a Waterbox Clear 3620 in Black(49.1 Gallon). Here it is, what do you think?

CLEAR 3620

waterboxaquariums.ca

If I do go with this, I will wait for there annual Blue Friday sale...

 

[Wills]

Thanks I do like my ADA but it is expensive compared to some others haha.

Thats really interesting with the lid! Especially if they are custom made, some of it could be a bit clunky but if its custom should compliment the tank. Great choice on the tank too! How do you feel about the base mat on these? Traditionally tanks should sit on a 2-3 inch piece of polystyrene but now brands are using the PU foam mats that are about half an inch to an inch. I have them on my current 2 tanks but not sure how I feel about them on a bigger tank.

Wills

 

[FISHnLAB]

Thanks I do like my ADA but it is expensive compared to some others haha.

Thats really interesting with the lid! Especially if they are custom made, some of it could be a bit clunky but if its custom should compliment the tank. Great choice on the tank too! How do you feel about the base mat on these? Traditionally tanks should sit on a 2-3 inch piece of polystyrene but now brands are using the PU foam mats that are about half an inch to an inch. I have them on my current 2 tanks but not sure how I feel about them on a bigger tank.

Wills

Yes, they are pricey.

Definitely some interesting options with lids. Here, I found another...

Top Lids - Protecting Your Passion

Aquarium hobbyists invest a lot of time and money into creating and maintaining their own aquatic ecosystem. But what good is it if the very animals they keep can jump out and perish? Top Lids exists for one reason, to protect the passion of hobbyists globally, and solve challenges plaguing the...

toplids.com

Both companies offer 2-3 different styles as well like a solid or skeletonized rim. The skeletonized ones are expensive though in particular and I would be looking at close to $400US with shipping. I really do like the look though so I may cave on the price. A D&D from Waterbox is only $77US in comparison...

I'm not 100% decided on the tank yet but, it's at the top of my list(both in desire and price lol). As for the mats, I am confident Waterbox knows what they are doing. It would make no sense for them to include a mat that causes troubles for them or their customers and I haven't heard of any issues in my limited research. That said, I will look more into this topic before deciding. Off the top of my head though, PU is much more flexible then polystyrene so I would think you wouldn't need as much to be effective. Have you heard anything on this topic? Tank mat research commencing...

Here's a pic of one of Toplid's models for the Waterbox Clear 3620 for reference...

 

[FISHnLAB]

Here are a couple of more pics of the Top Lid's product close up...

I don't think one can get a cleaner looking option really...