can i use acrylic plastic for a tank hood??

Acrylic with warm water hmmm will bow and not fit correctly is the first thing you will have an issue with. The as many have also said will not allow gas exchange also bad. If you are going to do it do glass and leave a place open so the air can get in. I have had a tank come with acrylic top like your explaining that was about a year old and it was all bowed and colored funny also not allowing light would be another reason for the no go on the plastic top. I have seen it done a few times and never suscessfully. Glass is cheap and also effective if kept clean and left open on a part if it.

 

1/2 gallon LOL
I go through 5gallons every 2days!!!!

 

ahha ok i see. but ive heard i can use plexiglass? ive asked many of my LFS and they say that would be better than acrylic

 

Plexi is acrylic. Acrylic comes in many different grades. Lexan is different.

 

Don't do it.. Like Tangster said.

Surface area is the main gas exchange not overflows.

 

ok cool thanks for your help

 

You can simply buy a very tight fitting hinged glass cover also very cheap and never any worries of light distortion or bowing or fading . But I still would not use one .. Its a problem in waiting do some searches here on that subject

 

You guys are forgetting an important key issue. "HEAT" Though not right now, but when the warming months come along, the water temp is going to sky rocket. Esspecially with T5 or MH. The other problem is salt build up. You will be cleaning that cover every two weeks easly from that I call a "salt fog". Your lighting will become very dull.

I have used acrylic & glass & both will have the same issues. I just live with the water loss as others in this hobby have.