Tank cover to keep jumping fish IN!!!!

[Bernie21]

I have seen some DIY on how to make some wire mesh covers to keep fish from jumping & that doesnt block mush light. I have a friend that has a 30 Gal & he has a blenny & a wrasse that he wants to keep in the tank & away from carpet surfing. Not a canopy and we do not wish to use eggcrate. If anybody has seen the link or did it them selves, please post it here. I would greatly appreciate it.

[BuddhaKiss]

I used to use egg crate, but not a big fan of it. Then I saw a few posts about using bird netting and DIYed a cover. So far I'm liking it. I really can't attest to its ability to keep in the tank since the mesh is 1/4" much like the eggcrate. And i still had some fish jump, specifically a flasher wrasse and firefish when i had eggcrate.

[Dave Harms]

I've always used eggcrate. I use it more to keep my cats OUT of the tank, but it keeps decent sized fish in pretty well too.

[manuelink]

i use eggcrate heres some pics
http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/5277/pic3597.jpg
http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/4835/pic3623.jpg

i did in this manner because i didnt want to limit the lighting

[crooks]

gutter guard like this
http://www.castlewholesalers.com/FROST-KING-VX620-Plastic-Mesh-Gutter-Guard-6-X-20-.html

[snorvich]

Egg crate is not 1/4 inch, it is either 1/2 or 3/4 inch, neither of which will keep fish in. 1/4 inch holes via netting will work.

[noahm]

You can buy regular aluminum window screen frame and poly screen and do it pretty easily. You can always have the Home Depot guys cut the frame for you.

[RWITT]

i also lean the egg crate on the light as shown above. Works fine does not effect the lighting. Easy to remove for access

[Bernie21]

I had seen someone make a cover, using a thin wire, almost like fishing line, that you can make the holes small enough to keep fish in, but still not block light since it is a thin woven wire. The space between the wires are spacious enough to allow the light in since there is no depth by the wires. Eggcrate & window screens block to much light. Egg crate is too thick & the screens hole are too small blocking so much light. I like the eggcrate on the light Idea, but the front of the tank is a bow, so it wouldnt work. Sorry for being complicated.

[Lightsluvr]

Try your local nursery or garden store for bird netting like this:
http://www.nixalite.com/pollynetbirdnetting.aspx

You can use this like window screen, but avoid aluminum frames - look around for plastic frame you can DIY to fit the size of your tank. A few pieces of plastic to make a frame - glue them together - attach the netting - double thickness if you have small jumpers, and you're in business. And, it won't block light like eggcrate.

Eggcrate serves many purposes in the aquarium, but IMO it's butt-ugly all over the top of your tank... :rolleyes: ...but that's just one opinion...

LL

[otrlynn]

Be aware that slender fish like gobies, firefish, and some wrasses (all jumpers) will go right through 1/2" bird netting (or egg crate). You can try the double layer of bird netting (offset) to reduce the size of the holes, but because the stuff stretches, it is hard to get that right. I lost a firefish through double layer netting.

[ILoveReefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15264161#post15264161 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by noahm
You can buy regular aluminum window screen frame and poly screen and do it pretty easily. You can always have the Home Depot guys cut the frame for you.

This is also what I use. It blocks a little light but it's rather insignificant.