**Clear** Mesh Top
- Thread starter jimsflies
- Start date
we are about to build one for our new tank, so I will be able to chime in on that topic eventually 
. Since the new tank is a ways off from being operational (IE: housing livestock), I can't say for sure when I will get around to building the mesh top, but we do have all of the materials already (just a matter of time and priorities)
. Since the new tank is a ways off from being operational (IE: housing livestock), I can't say for sure when I will get around to building the mesh top, but we do have all of the materials already (just a matter of time and priorities) 
speckled trout
New member
Not so. Mono becomes brittle after long term exposure to UV light.
I fish constantly. I know this from experience. It'll eventually weaken and start to turn slightly brittle and powdery looking.
I fish constantly. I know this from experience. It'll eventually weaken and start to turn slightly brittle and powdery looking.
jimsflies
Member
The mesh I have is holding up well. Nearly a year and no sign of any cracking or problem. I am running t5's and a DE 250 halide.
Also, there hasn't been any issue with the aluminum frame corroding. If you're worried about not being able to grow corals, here's a recent pic of my tank. The light penetration without having to deal with shading and saltcreep are one of the reasons I feel my tank has been doing so well.
Also, there hasn't been any issue with the aluminum frame corroding. If you're worried about not being able to grow corals, here's a recent pic of my tank. The light penetration without having to deal with shading and saltcreep are one of the reasons I feel my tank has been doing so well.
speckled trout
New member
Man, love those colors!
speckled trout
New member
I stated that mono gets brittle in UV light. Of course, I was referring to my experiences with fishing line and how it is affected by the sun.
Since our lights are in no way as strong as the sun, it'll take awhile for this to happen on our tanks. Hopefully, at least a few years.
Your tank looks good and will only look better as the frags fill in the rest of the rockwork.
Since our lights are in no way as strong as the sun, it'll take awhile for this to happen on our tanks. Hopefully, at least a few years.
Your tank looks good and will only look better as the frags fill in the rest of the rockwork.
laverda
Well-known member
Here is what I ended up making. I wanted to take full advantage of the light I have, so I did not want to use aluminum. Also I did not want to worry about getting them wet. I just cut some strips of acrylic, routered a lip down one side of it then glued the pieces together. To hold the mesh I just used 6 little pieces of acrylic, one on each end and 2 in the middle. The first one I use some red acrylic rod. for the second one I just used some of the same acrylic I made the frame with. I still have 2 more to make for my 240. I am trying to think of a way to pull the mesh tighter, to eliminate the wrinkles.
Chad Vossen
New member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8596544#post8596544 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sparkss
but even heavy acrylic has more of a tendency to warp with the heat from a reef tank than the aluminum frame does. So long as the aluminum doesn't come in direct contact with the tank water I don't see the problem, outside of maybe having to replace it every 10 years or so (if that). Think about how many aluminum window screens and doors there are on houses on the beach/next to the ocean. Ture, they are much further away than the frame is from the tank water, but those windows screens on the houses take a bit more environmental abuse from the wind, rain, longer UV exposure, etc, and they still hold up.
Just my thoughts and observations
its not the aluminum frame that they are worried about, that can easily be replaced. but rather the risk of the aluminum contaminating the aquairum itself.
im not a pro at this but i have never seen aluminum show corrosion at all. maybe i just dont know what to look for.
i have never tried, though i think it wouldnt be very difficult to use other forms of plastic to build the frame with other than acrylic.
laverda
Well-known member
Aluminum does carode. It should not be a big problem with modern coated screen frames, if it never gets wet. My frames have gooten wet several times, but that was not my reasoning in making acrylic frames. I can make shapes with the acrylic I could not do with the aluminum, but mostly I did not want it blocking the light at all if possible.
Snarkys
.Registered Member
guy in this thread did some tests and thin side up seemed to work best.
/shrug
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=426618&highlight=eggcrate
this project is much cooler though : )
nice work!!!
Last edited:
Chad Vossen
New member
it shouldnt,
i am useing seran wrapp temp over my tank till i can find the screen. wouldnt want my new fairy wrasse pair to jump!
