What sort of cover should I use?

[mrhasan]

Originally Posted by hillegom

I am going to follow this thread because in the future, I would like to use mesh as well.
Tank is looking good Raied

Thanks

I am still getting mixed reviews regarding egg crates. Some say that they should be placed the right way and there will be no cut down in intensity while other complains. Any feedback?

[Nano]

I don't know if you guys have a co-op hardware store in calgary, but I got a 4x4 sheet of screen with about 1/4" spacing for like $12 just for reference

Also with eggcrate ime it blocks a lot of light especially with leds not sure how it would affect t5s

[mrhasan]

Originally Posted by Nano

I don't know if you guys have a co-op hardware store in calgary, but I got a 4x4 sheet of screen with about 1/4" spacing for like $12 just for reference

What sort of sheet of screen are you referring? Any link?

[Reef Pilot]

I just use lexan covers for my tanks. Very good light transmission qualities (used by greenhouses), and keeps down the evaporation and heat loss. Not sure why everyone goes for netting and eggcrate, as they are much more difficult to fabricate, and some fish can still get through.

[Coralgurl]

Originally Posted by Reef Pilot

I just use lexan covers for my tanks. Very good light transmission qualities (used by greenhouses), and keeps down the evaporation and heat loss. Not sure why everyone goes for netting and eggcrate, as they are much more difficult to fabricate, and some fish can still get through.

Good idea, will have to check it out. I don't like the eggcrate at all, but for now it works. I added a wrasse who jumps at the surface every time I feed, I'm sure he would have ended up on the carpet the first day he went in. I've had enough fish jump that a cover is a must.

Mrhasan, your tank looks awesome btw!

[mrhasan]

Originally Posted by Reef Pilot

I just use lexan covers for my tanks. Very good light transmission qualities (used by greenhouses), and keeps down the evaporation and heat loss. Not sure why everyone goes for netting and eggcrate, as they are much more difficult to fabricate, and some fish can still get through.

I did check out lexan polycabonate sheet but they are just too expensive. I heard that no fishes are small enough to go through 1/4" mesh :P

Originally Posted by Titus99

If your handy go get the plastic trim that is used for screen windows there are clips for the corners to join. That the mesh and the rubber stopper that hold screen in and your flying

Yap I am, for now, inclined towards going the mesh cover way. Still thinking.......

Originally Posted by Coralgurl

Mrhasan, your tank looks awesome btw!

Thank you

[Smudge]

Made my top from window screen frame and "Select Plastic Chicken Wire" from Home Hardware. It comes in 24", 36" or 48" x 50 ft rolls for around $20. It is made by Quest Plastics. 1/4 squares and it is greyish clear.

[daplatapus]

I think I got the same thing as Smudge. Here's a pick:


It's a bit bigger than 1/4", closer to 3/8" but I've not had anything make it through, but the operative word might be "yet"




I went to Home Depot, in their screen door section you can get the rails, corners etc to make the frame.
When I made the one for my 77, I made little "U" shape cutouts to go around my returns which are over the rim. Don't do it, it sucked, looked horrible and really made the back of the frame weak so it tended to sag. I even used corners and little cut rails to go around everything.
If I were you, I'd make it as wide as I could from front to whatever sticks out the most in the back. That will leave a bit exposed probably between the frame and the actual rim at the back.

I also tried egg crate, but I found it probably reduced the light in my tank 20-30% (rough guess).

Hope that helps

[Reef Pilot]

Originally Posted by mrhasan

I did check out lexan polycabonate sheet but they are just too expensive.

Don't know where you checked, but I buy mine at Industrial Plastics. A large 4' X 8' sheet (I use 1/16" thickness lexan) is $90, and you can get smaller pieces. But I buy the whole sheet, as I use it for a lot of things. It is very easy to cut (use a tin snip), drill, form or shape. And you just need to bend a small flange if you want to stiffen up a long edge. I have made all kinds of things for my sump, incl a filter sock holder, and other stuff.

For a tank your size, it shouldn't cost you more than 30 bucks. Then you have a better top than anything you could make out of mesh or egg crate. Plus great light transmission, and reduced heat and water loss. And no more fish loss.

[mrhasan]

Originally Posted by Reef Pilot

Don't know where you checked, but I buy mine at Industrial Plastics. A large 4' X 8' sheet (I use 1/16" thickness lexan) is $90, and you can get smaller pieces. But I buy the whole sheet, as I use it for a lot of things. It is very easy to cut (use a tin snip), drill, form or shape. And you just need to bend a small flange if you want to stiffen up a long edge. I have made all kinds of things for my sump, incl a filter sock holder, and other stuff.

For a tank your size, it shouldn't cost you more than 30 bucks. Then you have a better top than anything you could make out of mesh or egg crate. Plus great light transmission, and reduced heat and water loss. And no more fish loss.

An 18"x24" retails for $33 which won't fit my tank (mine is 30" long).

But I was wondering, won't it have the same problem as glass tops? Like salt creeps and get dirty?