**Clear** Mesh Top

[Snarkys]

Thought I would add this to the mix.
http://www.eplastics.com/Plastic/Plexiglass_Acrylic_Profiles/ACRUCHANNEL

Acrylic Channel for the frame.

Thanks for pointing this out. I just ordered some and can't wait to play with it: )

 

[Teaggs]

I just have a question about making my own kit. I have a 72" long tank x 18" wide with bracing in the middle. I would rather have two 36" tops then one large one. If I decide to go to Lowes and get all the supplies, is this what I get? Thanks in advance for the help.
-spline roller
-8 frame corners
-how much frame? 72" x 2
-is it called bird net for the screen?
-roll of spline

 

[Teaggs]

Any help? I am trying to get materials today if I get confirmation form someone on the proper items. Thanks

 

[jimsflies]

Just saw your post to my old thread...hopefully you figured it out. If not, let me know.
I don't get here on RC too often. I tend to hang out on http://www.captivereefs.com more often.

 

[nemosworld]

Any help? I am trying to get materials today if I get confirmation form someone on the proper items. Thanks

you get the mesh from bulk reef supply:
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/catalog/product/view/id/1768/
1/4 inch size.

 

[jimsflies]

For what its worth, I still have ton of it available as well.

 

[Vadafallon]

I have a mesh top i built from the BRS kit for my rimless tank. I am not happy with how it looks and i have a return pipe coming over the back of my tank. I was thinking of rebuilding it so it fits on the inside of the lip. What kinds of hooks or is there something else i can put on the inside of the rimless for the screen to sit on?

 

[jimsflies]

Innovative Marine sells hooks for their tanks. It may be worthwhile to contact them.

 

[kn1ghtrydr]

Another bump for an old thread. Jimsflies do you still have any mesh available to sell? I would PM you but I do not have enough posts.

 

[williewilliams]

I used shelf pins from HD or Lowes in clear to hold the screen inside the lip of my rimless tank. Looks much cleaner than laying on top and kept the rimless appeal

 

[jimsflies]

Another bump for an old thread. Jimsflies do you still have any mesh available to sell? I would PM you but I do not have enough posts.

Yes I do. I'll try to send you a pm.

 

[StevieK]

Thought I would add this to the mix.
http://www.eplastics.com/Plastic/Plexiglass_Acrylic_Profiles/ACRUCHANNEL

Acrylic Channel for the frame.

Did anyone ever try the acrylic channel idea?

 

[Snarkys]

I did.

It was imposible to get the spline to stay in . The plastic has a small taper to it which allows the netting and spline to slide out. I also sent it to DIY Joey and he couldn't get it to work either

 

[jimsflies]

Spline comes in several diameters, I wonder if the largest one would work? Are there corner pieces available for that plastic profile?

I'd love to see someone craft a frame from acrylic. Surely someone has done that for themselves by now?

 

[Snarkys]

I ordered the entire rainbow of spline sizes and acrylic from eplastics.

I think it is the excluded nature of the acrylic that creates the tapered shape and the channel isn't as deep. The spline and netting also just doesn't want to stick the same way to the acrylic as it does to metal. Slides out really easy. I considered gluing it in but we couldn't get it to stay in long enough to do that even.

 

[Snarkys]

As to the corners we just used a cheep miter box and some weldon. Was easy to create the frame and it looked really sharp.

 

[Grnrado]

I just purchased 3/4" square extruded acrylic from USPlastics and 1/4" acrylic dowel rods. I am planning to make a clear screen cover for my rimless tank. The Square acrylic I purchased does no t have the channel in it, I plan to use my router with a 1/8" bit to cut a nice groove. I will post pictures as i progress. I won't be starting till this Friday.

 

[swiftvision]

I have found acyrilic covers to warp over tanks. You just have to flip them over to warp the other way but I'm planing on the clear mesh top for my 93 gal. cube.

 

[Grnrado]

Here is where I am at with the clear mesh top build. Coming out pretty good.