I used to use lighting diffusers, "egg crate", for covers. they keep the fish from jumping out but don't get scaled and algaed up and block the light. It comes in 2' by 4' sheets and is really easy to cut with tin snips or similar tools. You can use the scraps to make fish "caves" or plant anchors. you don't have to make holes for airlines because it is all holes.Lids/tops
What do y'all do for aquarium lids. I'm constantly fighting with them.
Marcey
Don't put tanks on or near the floor. Allow enough height to siphon water from the bottom tanks. You will need to siphon water no matter what kind of system you have.
@thefishlady Will they be in the way of the construction crew? Will they even let you in to the house during construction? That looks like quite a few tanks to work around. How many fish do you have and what kind that need to be moved. If they are not in the construction area, you could put up a plastic curtain. There will be dust from the construction. Can you even cover your tanks. Will the power be cut off. You might need to make some hard decisions. Find someone to take you fish, Sell you fish and shrimp. Most of your fish can be replaced. It is not a fun thing to do. I have shut my fish room down twice due to health issues. I did keep water in my tanks and I kept a few fish. I also have baby sit fish in my tanks twice. It just worked out that I had room at the time. If you could find someone you were friends with that could babysit your fish in their home.
Good questions. I think I have it worked out for construction. It won't be easy but it's only for 3-4 weeks. (It's been delayed so I don't have the benefit of the warmer weather 😔). I'll let ya know what worked and what did when it's done.
I tried the clear greenhouse panels cut to size for lids. I wonder if they block the light too much and need better fixtures.
I had bought some thick acrylic lids for a couple 10 gallons and 20 gallons. They are expensive and not getting custom sizes so they don't fit well. They say you can cut them but I'm getting the thicker ones so it's not so easy.
I would like a solid lid to control water evaporation. I guess I could go back to glass but I have a bad habit of breaking them. Lids are a pain.
Any other ideas?
@thefishlady 1/8" Plexi glass works but it is less stiff overtime and will sag across wide spans. It can be scored and snapped like glass or cut with most any kind of saw, but it is very hard on the saw blades. You can get it at Lowe's, it's not cheap but not bad. I usually get a discounted damaged sheet. I don't know if that is something glass shops stock.
I've been researching a scalable no dri overflow system. Some of my tanks are a small as 3 gal (which may just be too small)
Has anyone tried this?
Here are a couple of videos I found..
@thefishlady We used the no-break syphon from the top video on very large systems at EECHO system without problems. I wish I knew the upgrades contained in the video. Just be sure to keep up on cleaning off the outflow especially if you have plants in the tanks. clogged outflows can cause your tank to overflow.