Tank covering

[Raceimage]

I have eggcrate 4.5 inches wide along the back and sides of my tank. The tank is built into the wall so there is no escape from the front. I have had a mandarin, watchman goby, and 6-line jump out in the past 3 months. Not fish that I would picture jumping that distance. I'll probably put eggcrate over the entire top; but, i'd like to hear what everyone else uses.

 

[cloakerpoked]

I bought the plastic strips used for screen frames and threaded 6 pound fishing line through holes I drilled every half inch. I threaded it like a tennis racket. It took a long time, and if I did it again, I'd just buy the mesh everyone else is using, but you can't see it at all, and there's no chance of shadowing or it being much of an interference, and there's no chance of a fish escaping without a perfect storm. I'll try to take a picture of it soon so you can see it...I've been meaning to do so for a long time.

 

[the2ofus]

I use "egg crate" across the back of the hood except where the 2 fans are. I have had a mandarin and a six line make it through in the past year.
I was worried our clarkii clown was chasing them but we have had a "new" mandarin for 3 months & I haven't seen the clarkii chase another fish yet.

 

[NaClH2Opgh]

I have three of these made for my 220.

 

[ironwill723]

I have three of these made for my 220.

+1 ...I have a 220g as well. Used the exact same mesh and design for center hole bracket to ensure gas exchange and two custom glass canopies with hinges for evaporation reduction on the outside two holes of the bracket.

 

[AHDOnline]

I use similar to Paul, using black mesh but i have removed mine due to reduction in light getting to the tank.

With the mesh in place I lost on average 70 par through the screen vs not having it. Using just plain egg crate will yield an even worse result from what i tested with.

I have not tried the clear mesh yet but will as soon as i get some

 

[Mark 75g]

You can go to Home depot and buy DIY screen framing. They sell a deer mesh which is much larger than regular screen and will not block the light but is small enough that fish cannot jump out.

You could also find the mesh at the North Hills Water Garden store in Monroeville.

 

[NaClH2Opgh]

You can go to Home depot and buy DIY screen framing. They sell a deer mesh which is much larger than regular screen and will not block the light but is small enough that fish cannot jump out.

You could also find the mesh at the North Hills Water Garden store in Monroeville.

Depends on what fish. I know someone that used that mesh and lost a fire fish and a couple smaller wrasses. They jumped right through it.

 

[cloakerpoked]

I think the holes are every 3/8th of an inch. Like I said, if they really took a mind to it, my firefish could probably clear through there, but they'd have to hit it perfectly right. I still have all 3, and don't see how something like this could restrict PAR the way that a more involved black mesh could.

Second pic shows a little more up close of what I did. Also shows my float switches. I need to cover my overflow, because every once in a while, if I don't pull out the pound of hair algae that grows in there it can get clogged. After overflowing my display twice, I put it in and hooked the return pump up to it so that the tank won't overflow anymore. Not like I'm not a fan of more failsafe procedures anyway.

 

[vr697getta]

+2 for the clear mesh no fish has jumped and i have a wrasse blenny and a goby.