tank tops

[ben2988]

I'm looking for ideas to cover my tank. I was thinking glass but am worried that it may diffuse the light too much. I am also worried that egg create will melt. Thanks for any help

 

[bradleyj]

This is the best way that I've found to keep the fish in and still let the light thru.

Made out of window screen frame and garden netting

 

[snorvich]

Probably the only way that will work 99% of the time.

 

[bradleyj]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12157257#post12157257 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by snorvich
Probably the only way that will work 99% of the time.

I still worry, every morning I come down and check the floor.

 

[ben2988]

Thanks alot guys, looks like a great concept

 

[snorvich]

We all worry. But your design is the best I have seen. it is as close to 100% as I have seen. I know what won't work from experience.

 

[bbauman]

I was about to recommend asking Bradleyj on this. I've been to his house and seen the top. It works great. Every escape attempt I've witnessed ends in a happy fish still in the tank after a slight bump into the screen.

 

[davidhughes85]

get glass from a glass cutter..its real cheap

 

[bbauman]

I think glass would make the lid too heavy on a tank that size. The way it is now makes removal or placement of the top very easy.

 

[seanm001]

Ben, I don't mean to hijack your thread, but I've got a corner bowfront tank with a glass top that I'd like to replace with something similar to bradley's design. The problem is, I don't think the window screen frame will work if I bend it to fit the bow. Any suggestions on that one?

Thanks,
Sean

 

[vinc]

sorry wrong post page

 

[dawgdude1150]

You dont want to glass on the top of a reef tank. The point of our powerful lighting is to get the most PAR to the corals. Glass will substantially reduce the PAR output. The best option if you really want glass would be to get Starfire (low lead) glass lids cut.

 

[ACBlinky]

Glass is a bad idea IMO & IME -- reduces light and oxygen, neither of which is good for a reef.

I have some new fish that are VERY special to me, and I'd be heartbroken if they went surfing, so I decided to replace my eggcrate - it's great for larger fish, but small wrasses can easily jump through it (this is how I lost my Lubbock's).

I ran a search on tops earlier this week and found lots of threads referring to the above type of setup using garden netting and window screen frame. Went to a home improvement center and bought netting (in the garden center, the stuff that's used to keep birds away from cherry trees), window screen frame, corners, spline and a spline tool. It all cost about $30 in total, and turned out great. I tripled the screen, with one layer straight, and the other two at opposite angles. The holes are much smaller than the eggcrate, and the frames are very sturdy. I really like this alternative, and highly recommend it.

 

[natan]

>...fit the bow. Any suggestions on that one?
Yap. make the straight fraime, than cut a bit of plastice to fit the curved bit and attach it to the frame 4 a snug fit.