Suggestions for top & hood

[bkc978]

OK - I currently have a glass top, but bought some polycarbonate at the local hardware store, and plan on cutting it to replace my glass top - any suggestions on cutting it and possibly hinging it?
Is polycarbonate good for this use or is there something better?
I am debating trying to hinge it, or just cutting the front 3 inches into a separate piece I can lift off to access for feeding, etc.

 

[kdfrosty]

Not exactly sure what polycarbonate is.....
I use eggcrate. It can be found in the lighting section of your local Home Depot or Lowes. Prevents fish from carpet surfing, allows for better gas exchange, it's cheap, and completely customizable in minutes.
I used scissors to cut this stuff and customize it around my powerheads, skimmer, etc that are hanging in the tank.

 

[db]

I would suggest going open top unless you really are afraid of fish jumping. I've been running an open top tank for 5 years and have only had one fish jump. The eggcrate would be a better option, but still is going to limit some of your light penetration.

 

[bkc978]

I have a Coralife light and that needs a covering under it right?
Anyway, I want to eventually get a watchman which are jumpers, right?
The polycabonate (which is like plexiglass basically) is only a couple bucks, as would egg crate be, so if I decide to try open top I wouldn't mind either of them going to waste.

 

[kdfrosty]

In that case I would definitely use eggcrate. It's cheaper, and has a little added security. Decreases in light penetration are minimal with egcrate compared to plexiglass of any type.