jimsflies Posted April 21, 2006 Share Posted April 21, 2006 I had to install a cover on my tank to keep fish from jumping. I used a glass top for several months, but didn't like the glass because it accumulates condensation and salt spray which blocks light. This project has been in the works for quite awhile now, but I finally got around to getting it completed with a significant amount of help from beakerbob. Bob came up with the idea to put the mesh material in a standard window screen frame. I found this clear mesh material after a lot of searching on the net. It ended up costing a small fortune due to the surcharge of ordering such a small quantity and shipping. (If someone is interested in some, I did buy quite a bit extra.) The I used mesh with 1/2-inch openings, but I also bought some mesh with 1/4-inch openings. I think the 1/2-inch is small enough to keep my fish from jumping out. The other nice thing about this screen is that it doesn't hold heat at all. After the halide was on all day, it was barely warm to the touch right under the bulb. And the best part is, it blocks virtually no light! Link to comment
SplitSequence Posted April 21, 2006 Share Posted April 21, 2006 That, sir, is awesome. Good work. Link to comment
jimsflies Posted April 21, 2006 Author Share Posted April 21, 2006 For you DIY reefers, here is how my friend, beakerbob and I, made the screen mesh top: Materials Needed: 2 - 48" (or however much you need for your size tank) screen aluminum framing material (HD, Lowes, Menards, etc) 4 - screen frame corners 1 - roll of spline material 1 - spline roller 1 - roll of screening material (see Jimsflies description above) Cut the aluminum framing to the interior size of the top of the tank lip (minus 1/16"), insert the corner and snap together: photos courtesy of beakerbob: Lay the screening on the framework and, using the splining tool, press the spline into the groove of the frame, starting at one corner and working around: The splining will keep the screen taunt. Trim the excess screen material off the frame: And you have completed the screened tank top! Link to comment
fluidimagery Posted April 21, 2006 Share Posted April 21, 2006 haha, that's a much nicer job than my quick 10 minute throw on with light diffuser and zip ties. I had the mesh netting from my parents 2500g koi pond... keeps the blue hering away! Nice Work! Link to comment
darkwaterdevil Posted April 21, 2006 Share Posted April 21, 2006 great idea how much for some??? it would need to be 1/4 inch i got a snowflake eel Link to comment
fluidimagery Posted April 21, 2006 Share Posted April 21, 2006 Darkwaterdevil, try going to a local pond place. Maybe they have a roll you could buy a little off of. Link to comment
darkwaterdevil Posted April 21, 2006 Share Posted April 21, 2006 no place like that around me Link to comment
wheatbre Posted April 21, 2006 Share Posted April 21, 2006 when jim and bob get together they cant be stopped Link to comment
jimsflies Posted April 21, 2006 Author Share Posted April 21, 2006 when jim and bob get together they cant be stopped Hey Brent! When you coming over to get your frag plugs? great idea how much for some??? it would need to be 1/4 inch i got a snowflake eel I have enough to share if you'd like. A typical nano tank would be about $12 for the mesh which includes priority shipping. This mesh is nice because it holds its shape well compared to some of the pond stuff. Link to comment
darkwaterdevil Posted April 21, 2006 Share Posted April 21, 2006 my tank is a 46 bowfront so its 3 feet long Link to comment
nazerine Posted April 21, 2006 Share Posted April 21, 2006 Last year we sold the same type of material at work (Ace Hardware in Canada) and it was called something along the lines of "Plastic Hardware Cloth" .. We still carry the exact same thing, but in steel. We carried the plastic before in 3' x 25' rolls, and I believe it was around $17 or so... Link to comment
calvin Posted April 23, 2006 Share Posted April 23, 2006 2 thumbs up - very creative thinking. One question: will that aluminum eventually rust? Link to comment
jimsflies Posted April 23, 2006 Author Share Posted April 23, 2006 2 thumbs up - very creative thinking. One question: will that aluminum eventually rust? I don't think aluminum rusts...one of the reasons it makes a good material for storm window and screen frames. Link to comment
podBoy Posted April 23, 2006 Share Posted April 23, 2006 Aluminum won't rust, (rust is technically applied to iron/steel - iron oxide) It will oxidise though, and salt will attack it from what I've seen. Link to comment
FateX9 Posted April 23, 2006 Share Posted April 23, 2006 this is a very interesting idea right now im using 2x10 gal reptile screen hoods for my 33gal which is same size as 55gal but shorter sor for custom tanks this would be awesome Link to comment
Khai Posted April 23, 2006 Share Posted April 23, 2006 Do you find this makes a square pattern of shadows on the bottom of the tank due to the light passing through the mesh? Link to comment
jimsflies Posted April 23, 2006 Author Share Posted April 23, 2006 No it doesn't make any shadow...which is why this is working out great. Link to comment
FateX9 Posted April 24, 2006 Share Posted April 24, 2006 even with my wiremesh reptile cover which i think is 1/8" doesnt make any shadows Link to comment
K-MAN Posted August 29, 2009 Share Posted August 29, 2009 Hey Brent! When you coming over to get your frag plugs? I have enough to share if you'd like. A typical nano tank would be about $12 for the mesh which includes priority shipping. This mesh is nice because it holds its shape well compared to some of the pond stuff. I'M INTERESTED IN SOME MESH! Link to comment
Tanque Verde Posted August 29, 2009 Share Posted August 29, 2009 This is very similar to the parts I've accumulated to build mine. I used a plastic poster frame from target, the kind with the plexiglass cover and the cardboard backing with the slide-on frame. I will mitre cut the frame with a hacksaw to fit my tank. Then, where you've used spline, I'm gonna use a very thin piece of dowel rod that I found at Home Depot. My plan is to wrap the mesh once or twice around the dowel rod; glue, tape, or staple it in place, and then insert the dowel rod inside the plastic frame. Link to comment
plainrt Posted August 29, 2009 Share Posted August 29, 2009 This is very similar to the parts I've accumulated to build mine. I used a plastic poster frame from target, the kind with the plexiglass cover and the cardboard backing with the slide-on frame. I will mitre cut the frame with a hacksaw to fit my tank. Then, where you've used spline, I'm gonna use a very thin piece of dowel rod that I found at Home Depot. My plan is to wrap the mesh once or twice around the dowel rod; glue, tape, or staple it in place, and then insert the dowel rod inside the plastic frame. why not use window screen kit? Link to comment
Tanque Verde Posted August 29, 2009 Share Posted August 29, 2009 why not use window screen kit? 1) I didn't know about window screen kit at the time I bought all my materials. 2) Having considered both now, I'm somewhat partial to my lightweight plastic frame. 3) The materials are cheap enough that if mine doesn't work out, I can try window frame then. Link to comment
plainrt Posted August 29, 2009 Share Posted August 29, 2009 the window from kits are light weight also. and frame kits are like 7 bucks :} Link to comment
burtbollinger Posted August 29, 2009 Share Posted August 29, 2009 http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthre...mp;pagenumber=8 Link to comment
DoubleD Posted August 29, 2009 Share Posted August 29, 2009 Aluminum won't rust, (rust is technically applied to iron/steel - iron oxide) It will oxidise though, and salt will attack it from what I've seen. Spray it with a good epoxy paint before you put the screen in. Link to comment
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