Fluval Spec 5 Aquarium Glass Lid Rails Mod

thingiverse

The plastic lid that comes with the Fluval Spec 5 Aquarium is woefully inadequate. It lacks any mechanism to keep it in place and features a long, open slit down its length, making it easy for fish to leap out or cats to sneak in. To rectify this situation, I designed and printed two rails that can be attached to both sides of the tank. These rails require a pane of glass or plexiglass cut to fit snugly inside the aquarium. The recommended thickness for the glass is 3/32", which corresponds to 2.4mm. When attaching the rails, use aquarium-safe marine glue to secure them firmly to the interior of the tank. I had a 19 5/16" x 7" pane cut from 3/32" (2.4mm) thick glass at my local hardware store. The 7" depth leaves about 1/4" overhang, allowing for easy adjustment if desired. For optimal results, consider using a 1/8" or 3.2mm thick glass pane, as there is some wiggle room with the recommended thickness. However, I cannot guarantee its compatibility without further testing. The height at which the rails rest also creates a small gap between the glass lid and the tank glass, allowing for minimal airflow while preventing snails and other small creatures from escaping.