Tank Top Cover - Jumper Prevention

[Mrramsey]

Would it be bad to use egg crate to make tops for my tank? I like the mesh netting but my issue is that my returns go over the top all the way to the front (its an in wall build).

I like the clear mesh but with the way I ran the plumbing the frames would need to be odd shapes. Any suggestions?

 

[Mrramsey]

You can kind of see what I have.

 

[billdogg]

Egg crate will stop many fish but a lot of wrasses and anything smaller will surf right through. I did my screen tops in two pieces. One small one with kits in the mesh for returns and a larger section to protect the rest

 

[nemosworld]

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/clear-netting.html

New York Wire 48-in x 48-in White Screen Frame Kit

 

[philosophile]

You can still make oddly shaped screens with BRS clear netting (see link in the post above this one). You just need to make it mostly rectangular pieces. So just have the screen kind of go around the overflow or return pipes or whatever it is that it needs to go around. OR just have it go over the entire thing.

If you don't have skinny fish, then the eggcrate will suffice.

 

[albano]

If you don't have skinny fish, then the eggcrate will suffice.

But be aware of wrasses, gobies, dartfish, etc (some that 'appear' bigger than the egg crate openings) but will 'shoot' right thru!

 

[Sleepiness]

This may be useful for you. At home depot they have this stuff called gutter guard. Its very cheap and comes in long rolls. It also looks pretty clean. I don't have a problem with fish jumping but my damn snails kept getting into my drain line and slowing the flow down. If you could make a frame this stuff is easy to fix to anything.

 

[Sleepiness]

 

[AcroporAddict]

I used mesh tops for years, and they are great. Eggcrate will block much more light than the BRS mesh will.

 

[Larz_1]

I had egg crate on my 120g to start, but I noticed that it seemed to cause a noticeable "disco effect" from my LED lights on the sand bed. It also seemed to block a slight amount of light.

I switched to 1/4" clear mesh and I am much happier with the results.

But, egg crate will work .....

 

[ethridge78]

I am also using egg crate on my tank but I am going to get clear netting sometime.lol

 

[AcroporAddict]

Might not be as important if you keep lower level light requiring corals, but for an SPS reef you definitely want to use mesh if you can.

 

[Mrramsey]

Anyone know of an alternative source for the mesh?

 

[albano]

Anyone know of an alternative source for the mesh?

In this area, Home Depot carries 1/4" netting, listed as 'cicada netting'