BRS mesh/screen tops

[ksicard]

Hello all,
Currently I'm using glass tops on my standard marineland 120g tank. I think I'd like to switch to something that I dont have to clean all the time and wont block out light. I've been thinking about ordering the screen top kits that BRS sells, but I have a few concerns that I'm hoping you guys can help with for those people that use these tops.

My 1st concern is my Golden Dwarf Moray Eel. I've had him for a long time now and I would be heart broken if he got out of the tank. I originally have been using glass tops since they pretty much seal off the tank. I've never used anything other then glass tops so would these screen tops keep the eel in? Remember dwarf morays are very small and excellent at escaping.

my 2nd concern is how do you guys route power cords and what not out of the tank with the screen tops? I use vortech pumps but I keep my heater in the overflow box since my sumps baffles prevent me from placing the heater in the sump. I also run my ATO line to the top of the tank instead of the sump. I use a 20g brute trash can for my ATO reservoir and if I run it to the sump it will cause the pump to back siphon into the sump so I have to run it up to the top of the tank.

Hopefully those that have these tops can address these 2 concerns. Please share if you have any insight on these tops along with my 2 concerns that I have.

Thanks,
Kyle S.

 

[fijisrfr]

Look up artfully acrylic's lids
Pricey but will solve you're problems


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[FirstContact]

I have a 120g and used the small BRS mesh. The rest of the screen top parts I sourced from Lowes. I have a Marineland with a brace in the middle. I have a screen top on either side of the brace, and the screens rest in the wells - on the little plastic edges that are lower than the trim so the screens are flush with the tank and trim. For the equipment wires, the screens stop 1/4" or so from the back of the tank.

I don't have experience with eels, but I don't think mesh screens with window screen framing are strong enough by themselves to keep eels from escaping. I had a goby engineer once and he managed to push up the glass top I had on my 46g and got to the top of the lid where he died under the lighting.

What do the local LFS in your area use for eels? I've only seen one LFS locally that stocks an eel but can't remember what they used. Haven't been there in years.

 

[billdogg]

I use DIY mesh tops on my 120DT and couldn't be happier with them. To route power cords what I did was make the tops in two sections for each side of the tank - the back part is as small as the window screen corners would allow me to go, the front section fills the remaining space. just cut a small slit in the back sections where you need the cord to pass through. The mesh screen will pretty effectively seal itself back up around the cord.

As for an eel or any other critter being able to push through - to keep my 4' Gymnothorax Undulatus in it's home I used ~#10 chunks of unused rock on all the corners of eggcrate (I wasn't too worried about a 4' eel getting through the 1/2" holes) and it was still able to carpet surf a few times over the years.

All you can do is your best to keep any critter from escaping - if they really want out, they'll find a way.

 

[vashawn]

go to HD or Lowes the kit is under $12. takes less than 15-30 mins. depending

 

[eder10986]

go to HD or Lowes the kit is under $12. takes less than 15-30 mins. depending

Following. As I'd like to do this too.

But wouldn't this block off tons of light?


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[GimpyFin]

I just recently made the switch from glass top to a screen as well. I bought the screen frame from Lowes for about $12 and then ordered 1/4" clear mesh netting for another $12 (Similar to what BRS sells, but I got it off Amazon.) I originally tried the window screen from Lowes like vashawn listed, but I found it still filtered a decent amount of light compared to the 1/4" clear mesh. You'll want to buy the spline roller tool as well if you don't have one.

 

[ksicard]

I looked up artfully acrylic and they do have nice tops. I shot them an e-mail and they told me there is a 1/8 inch gap if I use their tops. That seems extremely small, do you guys think the eel would be able to squeeze through that?

 

[FirstContact]

An 1/8" inch is pretty small. I'd be more worried that he would push the top up and over. What would you put on top of the screen to weight it down. I bet the Artfully Acylic screen top is a nice piece.