DIY - mesh screen top

[ohana888]

a economic & minimal labor solution to a problem we all don't want to see - dried fish on the floor the next morning.

i used clear 3M dual lock strips (net cost $1) cut in 1/4" pieces. affixed them 6 " apart. i used 3/8" black mesh - same as the HD brand for ponds (net cost was $1 for 6x2 section.) of course, clear mesh is nicer, a bit more $$$. i stretched the mesh over the strips and the tension holds itself in place. no shadows or braces to obscure lighting. i don't have any small fish, so 3/8" worked for me. not aesthetically the best, but very practical & functional. for rimless tanks, i would recommend the clear mesh. if you have black trim, you can paint the strips to blend in. at least, i can now sleep better at night. and you if have a hood, the strips would be hidden. this took me less than 10 mins. to secure my 125G. happy reefing!

 

[Tonyscoots84]

Fish can still jump through that unless you have massive fish

 

[Awibrandy]

Why didn't you use window screen? Less like for fish to jump through, plus if you use the window screen brackets it would fit inside the rim of your tank.

 

[ohana888]

Fish can still jump through that unless you have massive fish

fishes are larger than 2". no firefish. dry tested with my smallest fish - lyretail anthias - successfully. :sgrin:

 

[ohana888]

Why didn't you use window screen? Less like for fish to jump through, plus if you use the window screen brackets it would fit inside the rim of your tank.

since the holes were so small, window screen blocked too much light. all my fish are too big to fit through (not even diagonally). can't beat it for $2. :hug:

 

[TommyP]

Bringing this back a little bit. I was looking to make the same thing. I bought the screen brackets and cut and cornered them around my equipment. I have the same black mesh and it's like the same size as the egg crate look. Any idea where I can find 1/4'' black mesh?

 

[Geraud]

Black mesh would probably prevent some of the light from going in your tank. If I were you I would stick to the nylon one sold by BRS.

 

[TommyP]

The only reason why I was contemplating back mesh was because I've read the clear reflects a lot of light and I'd like it to be less noticeable. Maybe I'll give it a shot. Thanks!

 

[fishman1069]

I used black mesh over my 75 when it was running. I no problems with it blocking light. It was pond netting from HD. I'm planning on making the same tops for my 125 soon

 

[lnevo]

The only reason why I was contemplating back mesh was because I've read the clear reflects a lot of light and I'd like it to be less noticeable. Maybe I'll give it a shot. Thanks!

That's a bad reasoning because whatever would be reflected by clear would be absorbed by black. The more important factor for light penetration is the size of the netting. The color is going to be aesthetic, thats it.

 

[TommyP]

Right.. I'm not saying that it physically reflects light and prevents it from entering the tank I'm just saying the clear shiny-ness of the clear mesh to the eye IMO black would look better.

 

[rookie07]

right.. I'm not saying that it physically reflects light and prevents it from entering the tank i'm just saying the clear shiny-ness of the clear mesh to the eye imo black would look better.

+1

 

[lnevo]

Right.. I'm not saying that it physically reflects light and prevents it from entering the tank I'm just saying the clear shiny-ness of the clear mesh to the eye IMO black would look better.

Gotcha. I think I'd be torn on which color personally..glad I have a canopy

 

[TommyP]

Gotcha. I think I'd be torn on which color personally..glad I have a canopy

I wish I had a canopy. My light leakage in my bedroom is crazy.