Looks like I need to install lids

[Iowafisher]

Woke up this morning to my Niger trig in my sump from jumping over the back of the tank. Thank god he was ok. I have glass lids ( I just don't use them). Will the glass filter the led lights I have above tank.

[gone fishin]

I got some screen mesh from bulk reef supply and some window frame kits from depot. Took about 20 minutes to make covers once all material gathered up.

I prefer the screen to glass it allows more light through and do not have to worry about etching or salt creep. It also allows the tank to breath and not stay so hot.

Regardless without a top it is just a matter of time before another fish goes carpet surfing.

[Pallobi]

Screen tops are much better IMO, and they are easy and pretty cheap to make...

[Iowafisher]

I just hate the look of canopies so screen lids will work great for me

[Pallobi]

If you don't have any supplies, my advice would be to get the screen from BRS (1/4"), and get the aluminum frame, the spline (if that's correctly named and spelled) and the corner connectors, for Home Depot/lowes, you will save money as those 3 items are cheaper there, but the hardware stores don't carry the clear, plastic screening which we use to construct the covers... If its a bit of a haul to said lowes or depot, then, It might be more economic to buy all at BRS...

[gone fishin]

Hi Neal how is things going in Connecticut.

[Iowafisher]

Thank you for the info

[indyjaco]

My dad fabbed up something different for me since he has recently starting to do more woodwork.

I used BRS screen, but designed a wood frame to fit the openings in my tank. It looks like a molding with the screen glued inbetween two pieces of the frame. Painted black so it blends in.

So far it has worked great.

[Dmorty217]

BRS netting, glass lids won't let the water oxygenate well at all

[Rutrag]

Someone at my local reef club found cicada netting at Home Depot which looked like it could be a good substitute for the BRS mesh. I think it was $17 a roll. Not sure how much that was in square feet or if you can still find it, since they say the 17 year cicadas have gone back to ground already.

[cerebrous]

won't the skimmer oxygenate? so does it matter if you have a lid???

BRS netting, glass lids won't let the water oxygenate well at all

[rssjsb]

You may need to weight that screen top to keep it in place. A niger could easily dislodge it and jump again.

[roenicknewf]

My tank is just about completely closed with glass lids ..
Plenty of gas exchange takes place in the sump ..No worries ,have had lids on for years ..
You don't like canopies ?Why?

[Iowafisher]

1 they are pricy. 2 they make tanks look short.

[Crimson]

Home depot sells or was selling clear mesh.

Here is the link:

LINK (http://www.homedepot.com/p/GREENSCAPES-Cicada-Netting-209916/204236476#.UfWe_403F8E)

here is a picture of what I did with the Home depot mesh (pic 3 not on the tank):

PIC 1 (http://i862.photobucket.com/albums/ab190/crimsonoa/CameraZOOM-20130728184634480_zps08a126c5.jpg)

PIC 2 (http://s862.photobucket.com/user/crimsonoa/media/CameraZOOM-20130728184644821_zpsd7916b39.jpg.html)

PIC 3 (http://s862.photobucket.com/user/crimsonoa/media/CameraZOOM-20130728185105631_zps7a2e18ad.jpg.html)

[Deinonych]

I got some screen mesh from bulk reef supply and some window frame kits from depot. Took about 20 minutes to make covers once all material gathered up.

I prefer the screen to glass it allows more light through and do not have to worry about etching or salt creep. It also allows the tank to breath and not stay so hot.

Regardless without a top it is just a matter of time before another fish goes carpet surfing.

+1 on the BRS mesh.

[Ryphen]

Wish I had known about the cicada netting when we made our screen. Ended up using minnow seine netting.