Terrific New Tool

[EllieSuz]

I'm making new screens for the tank top and bought this tool at Home Depot. Wow, does it ever make doing this job easier! You feed the spline through holes and wrap it under the front spool and it just lays that spline in the screen frame like butter. In the past this was a tough job without someone to assist, but with this thing I can do it alone, no problem.

<a href="http://s280.photobucket.com/albums/kk179/EllieSuz/?action=view&current=ScreenMouse.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk179/EllieSuz/ScreenMouse.jpg" border="0" alt="Screen Mouse"></a>

 

[Jacwil]

Thx for the pro-tip!

I'm getting that and the material to make my screen tops this weekend!

 

[EllieSuz]

The spline comes in a couple of sizes. You want the .160" Do you have the netting? Depending on the size of your tank, I have some extra, but you're kinda far away.

 

[xmike24]

What are the benefits of having a screen top over acrylic or glass? I got a custom glass made for the top of my tank (more so because I have a hang on the back filter and I wanted it to spot a lot of the splashing that was happening)

 

[EllieSuz]

Glass tops hold heat in, collect salt creep (which interferes with light), and inhibit oxygen exchange. I used clear quarter inch bird netting available at BRS and the home improvement store screen kit. I just made my second set of these because I wanted to make some changes to the arrangement I had before, but the old ones held up well and both made it super easy to get access to the tank at feeding time.

 

[saltyscotsman]

Hi did you have to get the frames made to hold the screen????

 

[Jacwil]

Thx for info Eileen! I was hoping to get the netting at HD but was told they dont have that type.

Our aquarium is 4x2 and if you have enough, I would certainly make the trip and buy the rest!

 

[EllieSuz]

Sorry, not enough left over for a tank that size or I would have gladly given it to you. Your best bet would be to order it from BRS:

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store...items/clear-1-4-screen-netting-6-5-x-6-5.html

The stuff I had left over was black, but the clear screen netting is very nice and I'm glad I made the change.

 

[EllieSuz]

Note to SaltyScotsman, yes I got the bronze colored frames at HD and cut them to size with a hack saw. Aside from collecting a little salt creep, it's surprising how well these aluminum screen frames hold up as a tank top. You also need to get the little plastic corner pieces.

Here's a picture of the new top:

<a href="http://s280.photobucket.com/albums/kk179/EllieSuz/?action=view&current=2012-07-11184838.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk179/EllieSuz/2012-07-11184838.jpg" border="0" alt="Uploaded from the Photobucket Android App"></a>

 

[jfl14609]

justin ask g he may have it most places that have pond supplies will carry it i got mine at country max

 

[Jacwil]

Thx Jeff..a member is placing a BRS order today and was kind enough to ask if I wanted the screen added to his order...great folks on URS!

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

Eileen, how had you pressed in the splines on your previous screen work? I've used those "mini pizza cutter" tools in the past so I am wondering if you can compare this tool to those?

 

[EllieSuz]

Yeah, that's the sort of tool I used in the past, but the new one (which was the subject of this thread), is just so much more efficient and easy to use. Because it feeds the spline ahead of it, you have a hand free to stretch or hold the screen. Then the second wheel presses the spline down, so it's a one time process. This is one of those instances where the new tool is such a stroke of genius that it makes me hope the inventor got well paid for his effort.