--DIY 'birdnetting' tank lid.

[Scott-CapeCoral]

Just want to share an idea that should come in handy to alot of you.
I wanted a lid for the tank to keep jumping fish IN the tank, but didn't want to use eggcrate, or patio screening bc it blocks light. So I picked up some birdnetting and it is incredible. It's some pretty heavy duty stuff and coated with a rubber/plastic coating. Just go to lowes and pick up window screen framing, those are in 8 foot links or so. Then get the corner pieces (they lock all the frame pieces together) those come in packs of 4. located right by the framing.. then the tubing that locks the netting (screen) into the screen frame and your set. I spent less than 20 bucks on everything, and have a ton of birdnetting left. About 97 x 7 feet left to be exact lol.

So here's a pic of the one I just build for the Solana. The netting is as tight as a tennis racket. Sorry I don't have a pic of it on the tank as of right now, I have a skimmer temporarily hanging there.

http://i708.photobucket.com/albums/ww89/Propagation-Sensation/DSC_0514.jpg

[smokieroom]

Did the same thing in mine but I used two layers of the netting. I still lost a fire fish that got caught in the netting but it has saved my wrasses on numerous occasions.

[Scott-CapeCoral]

Wow, How did it get caught ?

[smokieroom]

Wow, How did it get caught ?

It tried to jump at some point and it made it about halfway through and got stuck. I had just added a new tang and the fire fish was very jumpy after I added the tang then was fine for a couple of days. I thought all was going well then a few days later I found it half sticking out of the netting. :(

[MAMGM]

Nice job on the cover. I did the same thing and used 1/4"clear plastic mesh. Works great!

[smokieroom]

Nice job on the cover. I did the same thing and used 1/4"clear plastic mesh. Works great!

Where did you find the 1/4" mesh i would like to redo mine with that.

[MAMGM]

PM sent smokie

[JaredWaites]

Why not say it out here so everyone can know where to buy it? Is it like top secret stolen materials or what?

[au01st]

PM member Acroholic on www.atlantareefclub.org

He sells it very reasonably. I got enough for my 90, 24, and 10, and the total cost with shipping came out under $20.

[coralnut99]

If you go to pet stores that deal extensively in ponds, and pond critters, you'll find a 1/4" mesh netting sold to keep birds and debris out of outdoor koi ponds. I saw one a while ago that was 9' x 12' for under $10 if my fast-fading memory serves me right. Has the same UV-resistant characteristics as the bigger-messhed fruit tree netting at HD. I had an anthias muscle his way through a doubled layer of the stuff.

[MAMGM]

Why not say it out here so everyone can know where to buy it? Is it like top secret stolen materials or what?

I didn't know if that was allowed on here or not......NICE ATTITUDE!

[milkman55]

I bought the clear 1/4" netting from Acroholic mentioned earlier. Great product and great seller. It is much superior to what you can get at Lowes or HD.

[Scott-CapeCoral]

I bought the clear 1/4" netting from Acroholic mentioned earlier. Great product and great seller. It is much superior to what you can get at Lowes or HD.

1/4 inch would be better, but it's not black. I wanted black because the light shines on the clear and I didn't want to see that. Solanas are an open-top tank. With a hood, clear would be fine to go with for me.

[chris.francis14]

Looks good, now I am going to abandon the egg crate and try this.

[MAMGM]

Looks good, now I am going to abandon the egg crate and try this.

You will be surprised how much more light reaches the tank without the eggcrate and using the mesh

[Scott-CapeCoral]

You will be surprised how much more light reaches the tank without the eggcrate and using the mesh

Yep, it's also an eyesore.

[KromiX]

any got any leftover for sale?

[scaryperson27]

Whats also nice is you can get corner aluminum and rivit it to the inside corners to lock the top in place. Works perfectly :)