Acrylic Lid from Screen Lid

[joossa]

I don't like the idea of having a bare piece of acrylic sitting on the inner lip of a tank as a lid. Instead, I would really prefer to affix the sheet of acrylic onto the frame of a tank lid (i.e. those common metal screen lids). The frame would add weight and also make the lid compatible with lid clamps.

How would one go about cutting the screen off of these types of lids when the gauge is thicker and the screen is affixed so well to the frame? Maybe this is the wrong type of lid to convert if I want to use the frame? See pics below

I've been trying to find lids for 10G and 20G tanks that use the much thinner mesh so I can easily cut the mesh out, but am not really seeing any for sale.

Any thoughts?

 

[Poonjab]

Home depot, mesh cutters, you’re welcome

 

[joossa]

Home depot, mesh cutters, you’re welcome

Thanks! Will aquarium safe silicone adhere well to acrylic long term? The sheet won't separate from the metal frame and come crashing down some time after the mod, will it?

 

[viper69]

Home depot, mesh cutters, you’re welcome

Have to say your critical thinking skills on this titanic issue are tremendous. I was going to suggest a flame thrower myself to cut the wire.

 

[Poonjab]

Thanks! Will aquarium safe silicone adhere well to acrylic long term? The sheet won't separate from the metal frame and come crashing down some time after the mod, will it?

It shouldn’t. Realistically, if you’re fitting it to the inside of the lid. It should shed on edges of tank. Preventing it from falling down

 

[The Grym Reaper]

Just fix the acrylic to the underside of the mesh, no need to cut it out.