Need DIY screen top idea with narrow frame
- Thread starter miserkris
- Start date
billdogg
Well-known member
I think you are worrying about a non-issue. Unless your lighting extends beyond the sides of your tank, any light that is blocked would just be spill-over to the outside anyway.
I would venture to bet that of the thousands of people using the very same style of frame (myself included) you are probably the first to have this problem.
There is a company that makes (very pricey) acrylic/mesh tops but the name escapes me this early in the morning. Someone else will chime in I'm sure.
I would venture to bet that of the thousands of people using the very same style of frame (myself included) you are probably the first to have this problem.
There is a company that makes (very pricey) acrylic/mesh tops but the name escapes me this early in the morning. Someone else will chime in I'm sure.
Diana A
Member
Is it octo aquatics? http://octoaquatics.com/acrylic/
mcgyvr
New member
I'm sure billdogg is thinking of these guys..
http://artfullyacrylic.3dcartstores.com/
http://artfullyacrylic.3dcartstores.com/
billdogg
Well-known member
yup. tks.
Very nice looking. I would consider using them if I needed a top for a rimless tank. IMHO, however, the DIY window screen frame with BRS 1/4" mesh blends in so nicely with a traditional framed tank that I just cannot justify the expense. I've found plenty of other things to spend my hard earned $$$ on in this hobby.
homer1475
New member
And blocks a ton of light. There is a reason its called light diffuser. Plus small fish can and will jump through that grid.
miserkris
New member
What if I drill many half inch or so holes in it? Btw mine's one system comprising or 75 DT, 2 20g,1 10g....so the rest of the 3 won't have a cover...Will that be enough for gas exchange?
I don't mind cleaning/wiping salt creep weekly.
I do have 2 old heavy glass covers, they're heavy and my stand is an old wooden stand...maybe I can remove a square of glass in middle and glue brs clear netting in that square?
Is it easy to silicone glue netting to either acrylic or glass?
Thx
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billdogg
Well-known member
Acrylic will warp, even if you solvent weld cross braces to it. Drilling a large number of holes in a piece of acrylic is, at best, very difficult even using a drill press. Too fast, it melts. Too slow will take forever. All the way through and 90% of the holes will chip on the underside, so you'd have to drill part way through, then flip it over and drill the rest of the way. Too close together and they will crack. Too big and you might as well not have anything there at all. As mentioned above, the "egg crate" lighting diffuser has 1/2" square holes that invite your fish to use them as target practice.
Taking out a section of glass and attaching 1/4" mesh will look way worse than a DIY screen top, at least IMHO.
I'd stick with the DIY screen top. It blends in with the plastic trim, is relatively inexpensive, and works very well.
jm.02
Taking out a section of glass and attaching 1/4" mesh will look way worse than a DIY screen top, at least IMHO.
I'd stick with the DIY screen top. It blends in with the plastic trim, is relatively inexpensive, and works very well.
jm.02
I made a canopy that sits on the top of the tank to house my lights with a access doors that run down both side (peninsula tank). It was fairly easy to make I just built a wooden frame the same dimensions of the tank and around 12 inches tall and slapped pvc board around it with hinges for doors. I put two computer fans in the front to move air through it (480CFM) and left the back open with just screen to allow air flow. Keeps the fish in and firmly attaches the lights so I can never drop one again, fairly costly solution though and not something I would do for every tank just my show tank.
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