Fluval Chi lid

Hi guys,

Need some help. I have a Fluval Chi 19L nano aquarium. Very nice tank with open top and fountain. The problem I have is with evaporation from the tank. I have to top it up everyday with at least 500ml-800ml of water.

I asked around if someone stocks the lids for it that Fluval makes, no one does. Not that I could find anyway.

So I want to make a lid, local glass places refuse to cut me a lid saying the glass will break and it is impossible.I want a see through lid as I do not want to take away from the beauty of this little tank but I am not sure how to go about it as everyone I have asked turned me away.

Any input will be much appreciated.
:wacko:

 

Hi @Zebra Plecostomus - I don't know the tank in question (is it an odd shape?) but couldn't you just use a piece of clear perspex?

 

@Markhawke: The tannk itself is not an odd shape, but the filter is in the middle top of tank. And the glass needs to be cut around it. and the size the glass people are willing to cut will stick over the sides of the tank too much.

 

As I said, would a clear piece of perspex not work? You could drill a hole in the middle for a jigsaw and then cut out the middle? What do you think?

 

Could work...will see what I can come up with because ordering it from USA just too much of a hassle.

Thank for the help! much appreciated!

 

I agree with the perspex idea. Go to Maizey - they have alot of acrylic and plastic material for very reasonable prices

 

Good luck and remember to post if you do a DIY. This sort of build is bound to come up again.

 

you can also go to builders warehouse or chamberlains and ask for 4mm or 6mm perspex sheet. Use a jigsaw and cut. They will sell you and much bigger piece so you can make a mistake or two. Once cut, run a sander on the sides and it will come out smooth. If you want it really smooth and clear, get some water sanding paper - extremely fine grit and it will come out like glass.

By the way, you do realise that if you cover the top, you will increase the heat of the tank - which depending on fish, might not be a good thing.

have fun

 

Also sounds like a good plan. On the point of i.creasing the heat i. the tank I have tropical fish in there as it is. have a heater in the tank. So heat wont be a problem.

thanks for all the advice.

 

Best would be draw up the dimensions on a sheet of paper, take it to maizeys and let them cut it for you. I have had various things in odd shapes cut by our branch in the Cape, sure the other branches will do it for you as well.

 

http://www.wantitall.co.za/Fluval-Chi-Cover__B005QRDEDM

The easiest way.
HTH

 

Hi Zebra Plecostomus All my tanks are open top tanks. (Except my 310L tank.) Unfortunately perspex doesn't work! I've done the perspex lid, (4mm clear) and within two months, it curled up at the ends. I ended up with a 10mm gap at either end of the lid.
I re-did it with 3mm glass and works like a charm!
I see you're in Sandton, do yourself a favour and phone Moolis at Pet Stop in Pretoria (012) 3298965 and explain to him what you want. He's done some pretty weird stuff for me in the past. He's just done a Fluval Edge type top on a large marine tank and it looks awesome. I'm sure he will be able to accommodate you with this. He knows the Chi as he has a few in the shop.

If you intend filling the tank to the brim, like the Fluval Edge, then remember to leave a gap around the filter, for feeding. Otherwise you will have to remove the lid every time you feed them. Also some fish, such as "Labyrinth fish," (See here: What is a Labyrinth Fish? ) need to surface every now and then for a gulp of air! If you have any Labyrinth fish, then I would recommend that you re-think the cover. They won't learn where the gap is. Rather, leave a 5mm gap between the glass cover and the water surface.
Regards...

 

That's an expensive piece of glass there!!! At that price, It'd be worth it to DIY this

 

sounds to me like a splash problem from the fountain. Why not do a glass hood that covers all of the fountain and the rest of the tank.

Later Ferdie

 

Hi Ferdie, the fountain on the Chi doesn't splash at all, it has a very smooth flow. The water loss is due to evaporation! I have 5 open- top tanks and 3 with glass lids. The lids are only on the ones that have fish that jump! Regarding the 5 open tanks, I top-up approx 9 to 10 L of water daily. (I've got used to it though,) So one can understand the dilemma!
I like your Idea of a complete cover, however, that would detract from the visual effect of the central filter! The flat glass cover, flush with the outer rim, IMO is still the best solution, but needs the square bit cut out of it!


Sent from my iPhone using 100% recycled words!

 

I think making a lid for the tank will reduce the evaporation of water, but like any lid condensate will form on the inside and spoil the whole effect. If you just would like to reduce the evaporation, then go ahead and make a lid to cover the tank. But if you like the visual appeal of the fountain I would suggest to move your tank to an area with less ventilation and lower temperature. I have a similar setup at home and during the hot summer months the dry warm air is just sucking up water in the tank. Topping up is not a good idea as you are increasing the concentrates of NO2, NO3 in the water. Weekly 20% water replacements must be carried. My suggestion would be: 1) Not to make a lid and stay with weekly water change schedule to maintain the water level. 2) Move the tank to less ventilated and more humid area in the home. 3) If weekly maintenance is a problem, Get a different tank with a fully closed lid to capture the water condensate and return back to the tank.

 

@deondupreez: I don't mind the weekly water changes at all, I do that anyway because it is such a small tank. But the problem is the fountain and in effect the filter doesn't run if the water level is too low. I am sitting with the problem of having to top up every day or two. Why does just topping up increase nitrates and nitrites? What is the mechanism behind it? And what are your suggestions for my problem? If I can't just top up must I then do a water change every two days when its too empty?

Any advice will be helpful. I don't want to stress my fish.

Thanx

 

Regarding the build up in concentrate of NO2 and NO3. If you would just topup the tank due to evaporation the concentrate of NO2 and NO3 would just increase. The only way to remove the NOx is with water replacements.

Regarding the problem with evaporation, lets look at the drivers responsible:
1) Atmospheric pressure: The lower the atm. pressure the higher the evaporation. Nothing you can do being 1600m above sea level here in Gauteng.
2) Water density: The addition of salt will reduce the effects of evaporation
3) Humidity: The lower the humidity the higer the evaporation. Having a humidifier or some humidity control in close to the tank may reduce the effects.
4) Air flow over the water surface: Air flowing over the water surface will increase evaporation. Move the tank to a location away from breezes, or ventilating systems.
5) Contact area of water with surrounding air: Die bigger the contact area the higher the evaporation.

Having all that said, I would suggest you cover the water surface to reduce contact area and the effects of flowing air and low humidity.
Problem doing this with a open top tank; you ruin the effect the see the fish from topside.

If you let the cover touch the water surface, and if the cover is clear plastic it may give a nice effect.
The picture shows an idea of a floating cover. The water surface is covered to reduce evaporation. A gap between the cover and the fountain will allow water running into the tank and food you may give your fish. Something to monitor might be the oxygen level in the water as reduced contact surface may reduce the exchange rate. I am not sure how the fountain works but if you have enough movement in the fountain the cover may make no difference.

Hope this is of some help. It may trigger some other ideas from the rest of the community.

Deon