Fergy666 Posted November 4, 2013 Report Share Posted November 4, 2013 Hey everyone So I have just purchased an Up Aqua Pro Z 30cm light and mounted it to my tank, only to discover that the brackets of the light stop my lid from going on the tank so I am looking for a solution. First solution would be no lid, however I have rasboras and a mystery snail and too worried about them leaving the tank. Next option is to cut a square in each side of the lid so that the lid fits (issue being that every time i need to take the lid off, the light has to come off. The lid itself is only about 3mm plastic so I am concerned about cracking this when cutting it. My original thought was to simply file away at the plastic until desired size, although might take a while. I figured was safer than using power tools though Does anyone have any other suggestions, or any ideas that may even solve the issue of not having to remove the light to take off the lid (Maybe you know someone that could potentially made a new lid?) I have chucked a few pictures in to show the issue Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tamiya Posted November 4, 2013 Report Share Posted November 4, 2013 Hey...use a dremel, or make another out of acrylic.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aquaholic99 Posted November 4, 2013 Report Share Posted November 4, 2013 Plastic is very hard to cut. You could try sandwiching the plastic between some clamped wood and cutting it together. This would stop the plastic cracking. Since your lid has a contour you would need to do this as 2 stages. Use a fine tooth saw or aluminium cutting blade. Another option is to use a soldering iron to "melt" a section of lid out. Again if you clamp a small wooded template, you can trace around it with the solder iron repeatedly. Might get messy though so practice with some scrap plastic first. Personally, I would take the light legs off and just sit it on the lid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fergy666 Posted November 4, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 4, 2013 it seems it might be easier to get a new lid made to size. I am thinking of having essentially two lids, one at the back of the tank behind the light and one at the front of the tank in front of the light Is acrylic the best option for this? Being only a 30cm tank, I dont think glass would really be necessary. Does anyone know a place in Brisbane North that would have the acrylic and be able to cut to size? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aquaholic99 Posted November 4, 2013 Report Share Posted November 4, 2013 If your getting a new lid then you might as well have a go at cutting the plastic one first. Most sign writers work with acrylic and be able to make whatever you need but acrylic will sag and discolour especially under heat/light so get some strengthening ribs added if you use acrylic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt_a Posted November 4, 2013 Report Share Posted November 4, 2013 I'd just dremel it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fergy666 Posted November 4, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 4, 2013 Just took aquaholic99 suggestion about the light legs...turns out just take the screws out that mount it in place and the lid fits!! Saved a lot of messing around. Thanks for all the suggestions everyone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aquaholic99 Posted November 4, 2013 Report Share Posted November 4, 2013 So no dremel...? Another recommendation is you stick these legs and screws into a labelled ziplock bag so you can put it all back together again one day. I have several hundred tanks and this has saved me on countless occasions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob3am Posted November 5, 2013 Report Share Posted November 5, 2013 I would laser cut it but you prob don't one of them lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
