melev

Back in 2011, I built a black overflow cover for the 400g to avoid nuisance algae growth in that external compartment. Here are a few pictures.





The Apex probes were inserted through that lid, and the caps of the Durso standpipes poke up through individual openings. It worked quite nicely.





Total shade in the box.




With the replacement tank, the top plastic frame wraps the entire tank including the external overflow. Essentially that's even easier. All the Dursos would have to be measured for, and create a new lid with openings in the right spot. Instead, I decided it was time to clean out the box as it has nearly been a year since the tank was set up, shorten the Dursos so they fit under the lid this time and provide a sleeker view.

Here's a shot of the tank from last November before it was plumbed to provide a clean visual.



I decided to make the lid fit the inner lip and cover the area of the glass crossbrace to shade the teeth of the overflow section as well. The Eheim Chimney I build fits under the black lid, lifting it slightly. The auto feeder stands on top of the lid. There are four holes that are directly over the top of each Durso standpipe, aligned with the holes drilled in each cap. That way they will breathe without obstruction, and do so quietly. Had the cover had no openings, the vacuum sound would resonate under the lid; a small hole was an easy solution and is nearly invisible.