DIY tank cover

[omreardon]

I'm in the process of making a cover for my tank. It is a bow front tank so I can't just build a rectangular frame and put in netting. So instead I bought eggcrate and cut it to fit the top of the tank exactly. Then I thought I'd attach pond netting to the egg crate to be more secure (this is for a blue spot jawfish). The only problem is I can't figure out how to attach the netting to the crate. I tried supergluing it but the netting is so thin that I couldn't get it to attach and only succeeded in gluing my fingers together. I am currently trying silicone but the netting doesn't lie exactly flat on the crate so I don't think it's going to work.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!
Olivia

 

[poolkeeper1]

Zip ties, Or build a frame from window screen metal, or a wooden frame and staple It to the wood...
Just a few off the top of my head...
Bill

 

[omreardon]

Zip ties might be the answer. Building a frame won't work well as the tank is a bow front.

Thanks!
Olivia

 

[poolkeeper1]

You can bend wood by wetting It and slowly getting the curve you need JFYI or use several cuts to get the desired curve, It can be done by a good wood worker.

 

[omreardon]

Hee hee, you don't want to see me and a wood saw! That is a good point about wetting the wood and bending it. What diameter wood would you use? How long do you have to soak it to bend it? How to you keep the bend while it's drying?

Thanks!
Olivia

 

[poolkeeper1]

You can look online in the DIY section for this kind of Info or buy a wood working book on cabinet making.
A good way to bend the arch would be to get some 1/4" plywood and cut 1" strips to the proper length then soak them In water and actually use the tank It self to strap the wood on the curve of the tank and let It dry like that. When dry It should hold the shape It was attached to. This Is kinda simply put but that's the basic starting point to build a curved cabinet front. Then when you have a frame built you can attach the thin plywood rather easily to the curved frame.
I'm kinda In construction ( Used to be ) and have built all my own stands and canopies and this Is not a project for beginners, I just meant for you to know It can be done. Might be better to hire a carpenter for this kind of project. Unless you feel you can tackle It yourself and have the needed tools!
Bill

 

[rcmike]

You might try hot glue. I have glued screen to things using hot glue before and it worked pretty good if you made sure to get the glue to go through the screen. I haven't tried it on eggcrate though so I don't know if it will work.

 

[Pickupman66]

Zip ties might work, but depending on the screen you use, it could tear if you put tension on it. will this screen be covering the entire open area of the tank? do you have a hood already in place? If you are covering the entire area, I would worry about the screen filerting the light.