I always knew I’d need a lid for my Mariner 100 tank. It’s rimless, and like many I love the look of an open top, but the idea of fish jumping bothers me, and besides, there’s Fluffy to contend with… I need a beefy lid that will deter a 14 pound killer.
I’m intrigued by the various mesh/plastic covers, which I must admit look nice. But I also want to decrease evaporation, so I’d need to buy the optional evaporation covers. I didn’t check all the brands, but I looked at Kraken Lids and Top Lids, and for my 48” tank it would be over $500! That’s just absurd. My wife is already ready to kill me, and that might push her over the edge.
Based on some recommendations here on R2R, I decided to try Walter Lids. They’re custom made of polycarbonate, and they are their own evaporation covers. The quote for mine was $190 delivered. I gave it a shot.
Communication was good. I asked for a cutout for an Avast Plank feeder, two AI Hydra mounts, room for cords in the two back corners, and a hinged feeding door on the front. About a month later I received the lid. It’s made in two pieces, which fit well on the rim of the tank:
There are multiple air holes as you can see— they’ll make as many as you like. This design significantly decreases the number of times I need to refill the ATO canister (I use a 10g RedSea Reef Can). There are no clips holding the cover in place; it’s thinner at the edges, so it sort of sits down into the tank. As you can see, it’s almost invisible when viewed from the edge. Of course the water condensing onto the lid doesn’t make for a crystal clear look, but I imagine any lid with evap covers looks similar. That’s the point of the evap covers; it’s a choice you make.
I’m happy, particularly for saving more than 60% off popular alternatives. YMMV.
I’m intrigued by the various mesh/plastic covers, which I must admit look nice. But I also want to decrease evaporation, so I’d need to buy the optional evaporation covers. I didn’t check all the brands, but I looked at Kraken Lids and Top Lids, and for my 48” tank it would be over $500! That’s just absurd. My wife is already ready to kill me, and that might push her over the edge.
Based on some recommendations here on R2R, I decided to try Walter Lids. They’re custom made of polycarbonate, and they are their own evaporation covers. The quote for mine was $190 delivered. I gave it a shot.
Communication was good. I asked for a cutout for an Avast Plank feeder, two AI Hydra mounts, room for cords in the two back corners, and a hinged feeding door on the front. About a month later I received the lid. It’s made in two pieces, which fit well on the rim of the tank:
There are multiple air holes as you can see— they’ll make as many as you like. This design significantly decreases the number of times I need to refill the ATO canister (I use a 10g RedSea Reef Can). There are no clips holding the cover in place; it’s thinner at the edges, so it sort of sits down into the tank. As you can see, it’s almost invisible when viewed from the edge. Of course the water condensing onto the lid doesn’t make for a crystal clear look, but I imagine any lid with evap covers looks similar. That’s the point of the evap covers; it’s a choice you make.
I’m happy, particularly for saving more than 60% off popular alternatives. YMMV.
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