A net (roof) for my tank :) please help

elekamit · 09/14/2009, 11:22 AM

Hi guys, my new tank is a rimless one, and I want to put wrasses in it, I'm afraid they'll jump so I remembered I saw here a few people that netted their tanks and it looked pretty professional. Can anyone give me a link to those?, and maybe tell me which net to use so it wouldn't block the lighting?

Thanks!

flamron · 09/14/2009, 12:16 PM

I'm going to try to cover mine tonight. I have a rim on mine, but I'm going to use bridal veil stuff and small pieces of wood fashioned into a cover. I will be painting the wood with krylon fusion to blend in a bit more.

Not sure what you could use on a rimless though....

GL,

mapleredta · 09/14/2009, 01:45 PM

Check out this write up on my local reef club. I can pm you the link if this one gets taken down.
http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forum...light+friendly

flamron · 09/14/2009, 01:58 PM

I like the looks of that. I am going to have to give that a try too. could you upload some pics on here too? I can't view them over on that other board.

thanks,

mapleredta · 09/14/2009, 02:09 PM

Uploading them now.

mapleredta · 09/14/2009, 02:13 PM

flamron · 09/14/2009, 03:34 PM

Just went and bought all the stuff I need at lowes. 35 bucks and I will have a sweet top. Plus, I will have all the netting I could ever need, and may redo one of my window screens as well, LOL.

elekamit · 09/14/2009, 03:37 PM

Well, as I am from ISRAEL. I can't seem to find this stuff anywhere!!!!

mapleredta · 09/14/2009, 03:53 PM

Ouch..... Good luck with that.

Cuby2k · 09/14/2009, 09:26 PM

Cool work, gives me some ideas.

Mrbeachbum2 · 09/14/2009, 09:52 PM

Flamron, did you just go with pond netting or screen door netting?

flamron · 09/14/2009, 10:01 PM

I used wildlife netting from Lowes. It has about 3/8" holes, so what I did was put two pieces on. One straight up and down and one at a 45 degree angle to make the holes smaller, as the wrasse I'm getting is fairly small.

I think window screening would block too much light. I put just one side on and I couldn't tell the difference visually. I'm sure there is some light being blocked, but not enough to be noticeable.

I just finished mine actually. They turned out very good, IMO. I bought the 72" door kit from lowes for 16.99, an extra set of corners for 1.89, and the "deer netting" was 12.87. I could have spent less on the netting, as they had a 14'x14' piece, but the one I bought was 7'x100'. Plenty if I ever need to give some away or do it over again.

I'd rate this as a 2 out of 5 on the difficulty scale. My hacksaw apparently wasn't meant to cut the metal pieces, so I had some issues there.

I will try to get some pics up tomorrow or the next day.

coralnut99 · 09/15/2009, 06:52 AM

The fruit tree netting works pretty well. I can tell you from firsthand experience that it isn't foolproof. The material just has a lot of give to it. So if a fish hits the openings just right it can "squirt" through even in double or triple layer applications. At one point someone cam across netting used to cover ponds that had a 1/4" mesh. That would be perfect. By the way, both types of netting ar UV resistant and should hold up for years under MH or T5. Window screen material blocks way too much light, and will have a definite shading effect on your tank.

mapleredta · 09/15/2009, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by coralnut99
The fruit tree netting works pretty well. I can tell you from firsthand experience that it isn't foolproof. The material just has a lot of give to it. So if a fish hits the openings just right it can "squirt" through even in double or triple layer applications. At one point someone cam across netting used to cover ponds that had a 1/4" mesh. That would be perfect. By the way, both types of netting ar UV resistant and should hold up for years under MH or T5. Window screen material blocks way too much light, and will have a definite shading effect on your tank.

No, it's definitely not a full guarantee but it sure cuts down the chance of it happening.

flamron · 09/15/2009, 08:14 AM

I would rather have something than risk losing a 45 dollar fish....

coralnut99 · 09/15/2009, 08:25 AM

I couldn't agree more that it's better than nothing. But for me it was tough seeing a male anthias on the floor that I'd had for three years. I was just pointing out that if you're just starting the evaluation/planning process, netting with a 1/4" mesh has a better success rate for the intended purpose.

flamron · 09/15/2009, 08:28 AM

By criscrossing two sheets, I've cut the size of the holes down to probably less than 1/4".

It looks fairly good too.

DAKOOP · 09/20/2009, 06:33 PM

Looks like a trip to the hardware store is in order for tomorrow.

Any ideas on keeping the jumpers out of the overflows too? Maybe a weighted piece of the net hanging from the framed part into the overflow??

james3370 · 09/20/2009, 09:10 PM

when i get around to doing another tank, i plan to just take a piece of 1/4" acrylic the inside dimension of the tank. then cut the center out leaving a 2" frame (just like a picture frame). then drill 1/16" holes 1/4" apart & 1/4" from inside edge all the way around. then take UV resistant fishing line & "lace" the holes side to side over/under like a tennis racket. you can also space the holes closer if 1/4" hole is too big

to the original poster, i think this would be a viable option if you are having trouble finding the bird netting & alum frame

you can make small "tabs" to hang it from the edge of the rimless tank. it would also be easy enough to re-lace as needed.

the main reason i like this way vs. the alum frame & bird netting is i plan to do my returns over the top, soi it is easier to make cutouts in the acrylic frame to accomodate these & lace around these openings.....much harder to do that w/ the alum frame

09/14/2009, 11:22 AM	#1
elekamit Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: ISRAEL Posts: 360	A net (roof) for my tank :) please help Hi guys, my new tank is a rimless one, and I want to put wrasses in it, I'm afraid they'll jump so I remembered I saw here a few people that netted their tanks and it looked pretty professional. Can anyone give me a link to those?, and maybe tell me which net to use so it wouldn't block the lighting? Thanks!

09/14/2009, 12:16 PM	#2
flamron Professional Stick Gluer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: NW Arkansas Posts: 2,216	I'm going to try to cover mine tonight. I have a rim on mine, but I'm going to use bridal veil stuff and small pieces of wood fashioned into a cover. I will be painting the wood with krylon fusion to blend in a bit more. Not sure what you could use on a rimless though.... GL, __________________ Ronnie 60g cube - Ghost Overflow - ATI 8 bulb dimmable sunpower - Apex - MP10s - Synergy sump

09/14/2009, 01:58 PM	#4
flamron Professional Stick Gluer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: NW Arkansas Posts: 2,216	I like the looks of that. I am going to have to give that a try too. could you upload some pics on here too? I can't view them over on that other board. thanks, __________________ Ronnie 60g cube - Ghost Overflow - ATI 8 bulb dimmable sunpower - Apex - MP10s - Synergy sump

09/14/2009, 03:34 PM	#7
flamron Professional Stick Gluer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: NW Arkansas Posts: 2,216	Just went and bought all the stuff I need at lowes. 35 bucks and I will have a sweet top. Plus, I will have all the netting I could ever need, and may redo one of my window screens as well, LOL. __________________ Ronnie 60g cube - Ghost Overflow - ATI 8 bulb dimmable sunpower - Apex - MP10s - Synergy sump

09/14/2009, 09:26 PM	#10
Cuby2k Cuby2k Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Salt Lake City Posts: 982	Cool work, gives me some ideas. __________________ Rod "Cuby" Current Tank Info: 180 display, 100 gal DIY fuge/sump, DIY skimmer.

09/14/2009, 01:45 PM	#3
mapleredta Reef addict Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Cochran, Georgia Posts: 387	Check out this write up on my local reef club. I can pm you the link if this one gets taken down. http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forum...light+friendly

09/14/2009, 02:09 PM	#5
mapleredta Reef addict Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Cochran, Georgia Posts: 387	Uploading them now.

09/14/2009, 02:13 PM	#6
mapleredta Reef addict Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Cochran, Georgia Posts: 387

09/14/2009, 03:37 PM	#8
elekamit Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: ISRAEL Posts: 360	Well, as I am from ISRAEL. I can't seem to find this stuff anywhere!!!!

09/14/2009, 03:53 PM	#9
mapleredta Reef addict Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Cochran, Georgia Posts: 387	Ouch..... Good luck with that.

09/14/2009, 09:52 PM	#11
Mrbeachbum2 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,093	Flamron, did you just go with pond netting or screen door netting?

09/14/2009, 10:01 PM	#12
flamron Professional Stick Gluer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: NW Arkansas Posts: 2,216	I used wildlife netting from Lowes. It has about 3/8" holes, so what I did was put two pieces on. One straight up and down and one at a 45 degree angle to make the holes smaller, as the wrasse I'm getting is fairly small. I think window screening would block too much light. I put just one side on and I couldn't tell the difference visually. I'm sure there is some light being blocked, but not enough to be noticeable. I just finished mine actually. They turned out very good, IMO. I bought the 72" door kit from lowes for 16.99, an extra set of corners for 1.89, and the "deer netting" was 12.87. I could have spent less on the netting, as they had a 14'x14' piece, but the one I bought was 7'x100'. Plenty if I ever need to give some away or do it over again. I'd rate this as a 2 out of 5 on the difficulty scale. My hacksaw apparently wasn't meant to cut the metal pieces, so I had some issues there. I will try to get some pics up tomorrow or the next day. __________________ Ronnie 60g cube - Ghost Overflow - ATI 8 bulb dimmable sunpower - Apex - MP10s - Synergy sump

09/15/2009, 06:52 AM	#13
coralnut99 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Bushkill, PA Posts: 3,632	The fruit tree netting works pretty well. I can tell you from firsthand experience that it isn't foolproof. The material just has a lot of give to it. So if a fish hits the openings just right it can "squirt" through even in double or triple layer applications. At one point someone cam across netting used to cover ponds that had a 1/4" mesh. That would be perfect. By the way, both types of netting ar UV resistant and should hold up for years under MH or T5. Window screen material blocks way too much light, and will have a definite shading effect on your tank. __________________ Why can't my wife see this stuff as an investment? Current Tank Info: way too much to list, and still adding more!

09/15/2009, 08:14 AM	#15
flamron Professional Stick Gluer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: NW Arkansas Posts: 2,216	I would rather have something than risk losing a 45 dollar fish.... __________________ Ronnie 60g cube - Ghost Overflow - ATI 8 bulb dimmable sunpower - Apex - MP10s - Synergy sump

09/15/2009, 08:25 AM	#16
coralnut99 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Bushkill, PA Posts: 3,632	I couldn't agree more that it's better than nothing. But for me it was tough seeing a male anthias on the floor that I'd had for three years. I was just pointing out that if you're just starting the evaluation/planning process, netting with a 1/4" mesh has a better success rate for the intended purpose. __________________ Why can't my wife see this stuff as an investment? Current Tank Info: way too much to list, and still adding more!

09/15/2009, 08:28 AM	#17
flamron Professional Stick Gluer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: NW Arkansas Posts: 2,216	By criscrossing two sheets, I've cut the size of the holes down to probably less than 1/4". It looks fairly good too. __________________ Ronnie 60g cube - Ghost Overflow - ATI 8 bulb dimmable sunpower - Apex - MP10s - Synergy sump

09/20/2009, 06:33 PM	#18
DAKOOP Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: St Charles Posts: 310	Looks like a trip to the hardware store is in order for tomorrow. Any ideas on keeping the jumpers out of the overflows too? Maybe a weighted piece of the net hanging from the framed part into the overflow??

09/20/2009, 09:10 PM	#19
james3370 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: US ARMY - El Paso TX Posts: 3,678	when i get around to doing another tank, i plan to just take a piece of 1/4" acrylic the inside dimension of the tank. then cut the center out leaving a 2" frame (just like a picture frame). then drill 1/16" holes 1/4" apart & 1/4" from inside edge all the way around. then take UV resistant fishing line & "lace" the holes side to side over/under like a tennis racket. you can also space the holes closer if 1/4" hole is too big to the original poster, i think this would be a viable option if you are having trouble finding the bird netting & alum frame you can make small "tabs" to hang it from the edge of the rimless tank. it would also be easy enough to re-lace as needed. the main reason i like this way vs. the alum frame & bird netting is i plan to do my returns over the top, soi it is easier to make cutouts in the acrylic frame to accomodate these & lace around these openings.....much harder to do that w/ the alum frame __________________ Yes I hear voices in my head, but they speak spanish so I can't understand anything they say. there's no place like 127.0.0.1 It's a shame that stupidity isn't painful.... Current Tank Info: currently tankless....but planning an AIO