Screen top users. Need suggestions

[Marchillo]

Used to just use eggcrate until a diamond goby got through it and ended up in my overflow. So invested in a screen top. Just opened it up and ready to go. My tank is 48" x 24" and I've got 4' pieces so very easy. Except I am using radions and have the arm mounts. So I'll have to cut the screen - lets just say 48" x 21" so I'll have a gap in the back.

So what should I do? This is a rimless tank. I guess I could leave the eggcrate since its sitting on acrylic holders set inside the tank. But does anyone else have any suggestions that are better. The gap in the back is unacceptable since that is big enough for escape.

Thanks in advance

Edit - I am not changing the arm mounts so that's an obstacle that won't change.

I should also add that I zip tied a black mesh screen over the eggcrate temporarily which doesn't allow the fish to escape but it diffuses way too much light. I would cut that away except in the back if I leave the eggcrate to block the back.

I'll upload a photo of a drawing of what my current plan is (it's ugly) right after I feed the baby. Lol

 

[Marchillo]

here are pics of the current setup and a drawing (if you want to call it that) of the current plan for the screen - I bought extra corners so I only have 8. I guess if I had 10 I could solve the gap problem on the right side. The other thing I don't know is if I have enough room to have 4 corners in the back - I am guessing I do but that is only about 3 inches long.

The screen is in black on the drawing

 

[Marchillo]

better photo

better photo

gaps in blue - again I guess if I order 2 more corners (bummer I didn't do that already) then I would have a very small gap I guess.

 

[gone fishin]

Just a thought could you leave excess screen on the back so that it overhangs in the back. maybe ziptie something on the screen to keep it weighted and pulled down on the overhang or use magnets in the back.

 

[gone fishin]

Another thought could you use a dremel to notch out the frame to fit around the light mount.

 

[thegrun]

I made a bracket cut from 3/8" acrylic that slips into the window screen frame and used a hot glue gun to attach the bird's netting.

 

[Marchillo]

Hmm. So if I make the screen 48 x 24 and just notch the spots with the light mounts. So 4 notches. Would the integrity of the screen be compromised?

Id also like to keep my autofeeders in place but I could run a piece of eggcrate through the center to support those.

I have 6 - 4 foot rails so if it doesn't work I have extras. Worth a try.

 

[Marchillo]

I made a bracket cut from 3/8" acrylic that slips into the window screen frame and used a hot glue gun to attach the bird's netting.

That looks perfect for the light brackets. Where do you get the 3/8" acrylic?

So you run the front rail, the side rails then the start of the back rail so 4 corner pieces. Then where you create the notches.... Do you have a corner piece there?

Probably an easy thing that's tough to grasp looking at the photo.