Clear Mesh Top

[mcurl98]

I know some of you have been following a thread like this in the main forum. I decided to try making one of these as the egg crate has been blocking too much light and my Lineatus has taken to carpet surfing. Here is the frame:

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I used bait cast netting. I chose to go with a 5/8 mesh as that is the same size as my home depot egg crate (at least one side of it). I found some 1/2 inch for much cheaper but it seemed a lot smaller-I know it is only an 1/8 smaller but it seemed like a lot side by side. Stringing it was difficult and I had to use a set up like this:

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Here are some finished shots:

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The mesh doesn't seem to block any light to me. I am very happy with the light results. Not so happy with my frame though. The netting was a bit tough to work with and I initially stretched it too tight, throwing off the frame. I have since learned (after reading the net instructions) that soaking it in water with laundry detergent for 12 hours softens it up. I tried it with a piece and it works. Would have been A LOT easier if I did it first. Anyway, I am going to make another one-a solid rectangle rather than cutting around my overflow covers. It will be much easier and look better, I think. The tightness of the netting pulls the angles off a bit. This is a start and I'm going to try it one more time. Definitely a worth while project with a great outcome. I think the clear bait cast net is superior to what was used on the main thread.

 

[DarkXerox]

Yeah I really want to make something like this since I agree that the eggcrate blocks too much light and I use an acrylic lid during the cooler months just because it lets more light through.

 

[otterpop510]

looks good, i was thinking about getting the 1/2". where did you find/buy your clear mesh?

 

[mcurl98]

I bought a bait cast net from Basspro.com. I had a gift card for them and had no use for it since I am well stocked on the fishing tackle.

 

[mcurl98]

Also, by stretching the net at different angles (making more of a diamond shaped mesh) you can pretty much make the holes any size you want -up to 5/8.

 

[Elite]

You don't think fish can get stuck in the net when they jump?? The holes look pretty big in the picture ..

 

[mcurl98]

Not my fish. The netting in the tank pics makes it look bigger than it is, I think. Look at the picture when it was being constructed and use the nail heads as a size reference. My fingers don't slide through it. If you use eggcrate, measure the larger side. If it is like my home depot stuff, it will measure 5/8. I suppose small jumpers could get through. Again though, you can make the hole size almost any size you want by using a diamond pattern and stretching it differently. Also, you can buy 1/2 inch stuff as well. I just like it because my tank looks like it used to with no cover at all. Nice and bright. I saw some 1/2 nets at Mel Cottons.

 

[sid700]

What's your frame made of and where did you get it?

 

[mcurl98]

It's just regular screen framing. You cut and assemble it to size then put the mesh on like a regular screen-with spline material (black rubber rope seen it picture 2 above). OSH, Home Depot, Lowes etc.
Here are a couple pics to show the size relative to some eggcrate

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[mcurl98]

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[DetectiveTofu]

nice job IMO

=)

 

[mcurl98]

Thanks. To give credit where it is due, Gresham actually thought of the idea of using fish nets in this thread:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=817485&perpage=25&pagenumber=3

The material in this thread looks nice too but apparently it is a big secret as to exactly what it is and where it can be bought. The bait cast netting can be bought at almost any well stocked tackle shop and comes in sizes from 1/4 to 3/4 (that I've seen) in 1/8 increments. The nets aren't exactly cheap but you could do quite a few tops with one net depending on the size net you buy. The cheapest netting I found was 1/2 Eagle Claw at Mel Cottons. It is $40 something for a 6' net. I paid a lot more for mine because I had a gift card, wanted 5/8 and got a 10' net. I should have plenty left over when I am done. I am going to keep some of if for future projects but will pass some along too. Some of it is already spoken for.

A couple of lessons learned if you do this- soak the netting in water with laungry detergent for at least 12 hours. This makes it much easier to work with. Use a plastic roller for the spline material and be careful. I went too fast at times and my metal roller would catch a knot between the roller and frame and splice the netting. Of course, my netting was stretched way too much and was under a lot of strain anyway.

 

[GreshamH]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9899229#post9899229 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mcurl98
Thanks. To give credit where it is due, Gresham actually thought of the idea of using fish nets in this thread:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=817485&perpage=25&pagenumber=3

The material in this thread looks nice too but apparently it is a big secret as to exactly what it is and where it can be bought. =

Who said it's a big secret? The source is in that thread you listed. Read it again A link was posted and I even aknowledged the guy as having found the MO's major source for it.

 

[mcurl98]

Yeah, I saw that but I am not sure. I couldn't find any labeled as 1/2 by 1/2 mesh as used in the original thread. There is some with 1/4 mesh and there are a few that are not labeled. I guess you could always just give them a call though. Also, the ones that mention quantity in the description refer to 3000' rolls. Again, calling them would probably help. I think your netting idea is better anyway.

 

[Sparkss]

Matt, Thanks for posting this info. It is too bad that we can't find a consistent, local source. We have our frame finished (not like it was a huge task though) and have some fish "waiting" to go into our tank, but can't until we get the mesh top into place. I would really like to just drive out and bring back what we need ** sigh **. There is a bait and tackle shop near our house, since we are right next to the delta. I will give them a look and see if they have what we need. We would end up needing a 10' net like you got though, as our tank is 4' X 6.5', so the 6' net wouldn't do it for us

 

[mcurl98]

Are you planning to do a one piece top? I am considering doing a two piece top with an open side on each piece to reduce shadows from the framing. My 90 has a 12 inch glass support so I have about 18 inches on each side. I think the frames will be small enough to handle the stress with one end (the piece at the edge of the glass support) to be open. We'll see. You might want to consider doing multiple pieces, especially if you have a brace that diminishes light anyway. The reason I am going to try it is that when my fish jump, it is usually because it sees me approaching the tank. With a one piece top, I get a bit nervous with both sides being uncovered while I work on the tank. If you go one piece and are working on a corner, there is going to be another 5 feet or so for the fish to jump--that is, if your wrasse are anything like mine. The measurements of bait cast nets are based on the radius of the circle, so a 6' net is 12' wide. Of course, they come together in the center so you couldn't cut a 12' piece. I graphed out different sizes before I bought mine to see how much usable material would be. According to my graphs, you'd be fine with an 8' net--but I haven't checked the graphs against the netting to see if it pans out yet. I'll try this weekend. I had to rush a bit through this project as technically, I was "watching" the kids at the time. I know Cabelas carries the nets as does BassPro. Hopefully, your local tackle shop carries them. I would think tackle shops by the coast would carry them as they are usually used in saltwater.

 

[mcurl98]

if you do end up doing multiple pieces, a six foot net would work for you...in theory at least.

 

[Sparkss]

Thanks. We got sidetracked this afternoon after work with redoing some of the coral placement and cleaning up all of the zoas that were littered across the sand bed (they are now all glued onto 3 large "zoa" rocks). I hope to take a run out to the tackle shop tomorrow to see what they have to offer

 

[DarkXerox]

Yeah once I'm on summer vacation, this is going to be my first project for sure.

Matt, did you make your frame? Because some people in that other thread mentioned that they picked up pieces from the hardware store. My tank would be pretty easy to do I think since it is a uniform rectangle opening. It looks really professional though in your picture!

 

[mcurl98]

Yeah, if it is rectangle it will be a piece of cake. Just hacksaw each piece to length and the inserts hold it together-all flush cuts with no miters. Keep the channels of the pieces on the inside of the rectangle. Didn't get to make my revised one last weekend. Maybe this weekend...but then again, the BACFM is Sunday!