glass for top

[bbqman]

So another learning curve for me - don't use plexiglass for a top. it warps! Duh!

Is there a thickness of glass I should use? I was thinking of light penetration and such. The glass shop automatically said 1/4". Is that too thick? Will my T5 HO's penetrate the same?

Also is anyone using the Mistking corner screen top wedge? I was wondering what the dimensions were. I might install them and have a glass lid made with 45's for the corners. Just thinking of ideas.

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[Orchid Whisperer]

Can you give a hint as to what it is a lid/top for? And how big you need it (dimensions)?

[bbqman]

Originally Posted by Orchid Whisperer

Can you give a hint as to what it is a lid/top for? And how big you need it (dimensions)?

Sure. See the last few threads below. It's a 75 gallon aquarium. 2 sides each side is 22.625" x 16.625"

older pics attached

[Ray]

What are the dimensions of the top?

[bbqman]

Originally Posted by Ray

What are the dimensions of the top?

the tank top is 18" x 48" . It has a middle brace. So there's 2 sides each side is 22.625" x 16.625" just took a couple of pics- they're attached

[Orchid Whisperer]

If it is that large, and it is just glass (no frame around the glass), I think the recommended 1/4 inch is about right. I have a glass-topped table roughly that size, the glass has never broken.

[bbqman]

Originally Posted by Orchid Whisperer

If it is that large, and it is just glass (no frame around the glass), I think the recommended 1/4 inch is about right. I have a glass-topped table roughly that size, the glass has never broken.

Thanks. The glass sits in a recessed plastic frame. You can see somewhat in the last pics I just posted for Ray. I'm not worried about breakage. Any thickness will work fine.

What I'm trying to ask about is the light passing through 1/4". Will I loose lumens/lux/ ft candles or however you want to measure. It may be a non issue but I tend to overthink things - LOL

[wisdomseeker]

Absorption, reflection, and refraction of the light (passing through your glass top) should be minimal.

Throwing out a percentage o light loss would be purely a guess. To eliminate the guesswork, you would have to measure light output (e.g., using a PAR meter) without the glass, then measure again with the glass in place.

More trouble than what it is worth IMO... but venturing a guess, I'd say light loss will be somewhere in the 5-8% range (more or less: depending on how dirty the glass gets and/or amount of water that condenses on the glass).

3/16" glass would probably be lighter on the "wallet" than 1/4".

[bbqman]

Originally Posted by wisdomseeker

Absorption, reflection, and refraction of the light (passing through your glass top) should be minimal.

Throwing out a percentage o light loss would be purely a guess. To eliminate the guesswork, you would have to measure light output (e.g., using a PAR meter) without the glass, then measure again with the glass in place.

More trouble than what it is worth IMO... but venturing a guess, I'd say light loss will be somewhere in the 5-8% range (more or less: depending on how dirty the glass gets and/or amount of water that condenses on the glass).

3/16" glass would probably be lighter on the "wallet" than 1/4".

Thank you very much. That's what I was looking for. I was thinking the same thing about the 3/16 also.

[WaterWitchin]

Are you using an aquarium you used to use for fish? In other words, you have aquarium experience? If so, same thickness glass as you'd use on an aquarium. I had an LED aquarium light that fit one of my tanks (back when it had fish in it) and left that part of top open where light bar went. Seemed to work well, and provided a bit of ventilation.