**Clear** Mesh Top

[Goby-Wan Kenobi]

Old thread I know. If you want to put a bow in the material use a propane torch heat it up and bend it to fit.

[mako417]

Great idea!

[DeepSeaHunter]

i will be trying my hand in this tomorrow morning, i hope lowes carries most of the material, and i believe i have a casting net that i don't use anymore that i can cut for the meshing.

[jlanger]

Hi all. I may have stumbled upon an all plastic solution to the screen mesh tops; at least for smaller tanks.

The poster frames that consist of the thin sheet of plex, a cardboard/hardboard backer and the black plastic u-channel for the 'frame' that are sold all over the place may work. I built wooden frames for my daughters posters and was about to throw out the black plastic framing. I remembered reading this thread a couple of days ago, and thought this might work. The u-channel may be a bit too thin to hold a long span in a straight line, but this may be fixed by inserting a more rigid spline into the groove. The screen may need to be held in by a larger spline material anyways, as the groove seems wider than the window screen frame. (I don't have any of the materials here to compare; just thinking ahead.) And airline tubing could work as a larger spline material.

If anyone is still trying to find an all plastic solution, give this a try and let us know. I may do it myself in the near future as I could use a ventilated top that will keep our fish in the tank.

[ezhoops]

where can I find plastic edging for the screening, all I can find is metal

[cirionrc]

Where do you get this screening from?

[Almenmarine]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWNX:IT

1/4" Polypropylene. 100% reef safe


He bought a huge order has it left over from the past

[Almenmarine]

Ez, i'm sure plastic edging is somewhere in this world, but i couldn't find it anywhere. Homedepot has the Alluminum stuff. From what i've read over various forums and posts is that it is fine in the reef and will last for a very long time, and doesn't rust. You can get it from Home depot. It's really cheap. Each piece is probably 2 dollars for a 5 foot piece or so, Homedepot also sells the plastic corner pieces for 2 bucks a pack, and the spline stuff probably a few bucks also. Everything you need.

[RokleM]

Looks like Bulk Reef Supply is carrying it as well now.

[cirionrc]

I just bought some netting from home depot. Its bird netting and its very thin. Doesn't affect the light. This stuff is good, and don't see the needs for clear. I don't think will make a difference.

[CreatiVe2]

I have the mesh from the guy posting that ebay auction above his email address is grim1214@bellsouth.net - he has it on the auction.
His prices are very reasonable, and he will paypal invoice you.

I am looking now for proven solutions for smaller bow front tanks, i have a 46 gallon (listed below) and i saw back on page 8 the straight frame, i would do that and possibly cut plexiglass to the bow and silicon it to the mesh frame - has anyone been able to replicate this procedure, OR bend the aluminum to contour the bow? I haven't been able to find pics anywhere.

thanks!

[cichlidtx]

I bought mine from Grim as well and agree on the good price and good to work with. He gave me some tips on designs and might have some insight for bow front tanks.

[CreatiVe2]

I figured i would just add to this thread as opposed to creating a new one.
this project was a 6/10 in my book - only due to the bending of the screen frame. took me 2 tries.

Grim did give a great walk through, and suggested to use the clamps, and not bend directly in the middle.

I got my old glass top and used about 7 clamps to position the frame and bend it accordingly, it took about 20 min just for the bend.
the screen frame on a rectangle tank would take 30 min total. its a no brainer if you have fish that jump.

another side note - for the 90 degree elbows that you need for the corners of the frame.
For these bow front setups dave grim recommends cutting them in the center, and spreading it wider.
I had better results heating the elbow at the corner and bending it to 110 degrees (aprox).
I did have to trim the plastic off with scissors, in order to fit in the tank rim.

if you have any questions please PM me.

[jimsflies]

I built a frame for my 29 gallon biocube which also has a curved/bow front. Here is a link to more pics/instructions.

[CreatiVe2]

Nice!! that jig idea is great! the 46gallon Bowfronts curve is more extreme than that - it was a pita to bend.

[Swanwillow]

Originally Posted by Kevin McG

I am planning on a screen over my 34 gallon rimless Solana. What I was going use is a 2'x2' square piece of mono philament netting.

I would machine a 1/4" slot into a 3/8" diameter acrylic rod lengthwise, and somehow affix the netting to the rod. Then just slip the top of the tank into the slot all the way around. The key is having the netting just below the waterline to hide the netting all together.

Did you ever figure out how to do this?

My idea was to affix little pegs to the corners of the tank, so that I can just slip the netting on and off as needed.

[fishdoc11]

Anyone have any ideas for getting chords out through the top without compromising the tight fit?

thanks, Chris

[Snarkys]

depends on the tank lip but on a few of my tanks I used a dremal or large drill bit to remove some of the plastic screen frame corner which allows room for a cord.

[input80]

Originally Posted by eaglesrx

Great thread. removing my glass top over my 24gallon nano and planning on using Jim's mesh.

thanks Jim!

Would like to replace my glass lids on my 72 gal bowfront also. Tagging along.

[jimsflies]

I've got a couple more threads, one comparing PAR readings and another "how to".

[input80]

TYVM jim & Happy New Year

[mrhasan]

I am also thinking of building one but my concern is whether or not the mesh will accumulate salt creeps. The water level in my tank is almost till the rim and hence putting the screen will cause water to touch it.

Alongside, should I be concerned about the mesh being "reef safe" or is all the bird netting or clear mesh are reef safe?

[jimsflies]

Originally Posted by mrhasan

I am also thinking of building one but my concern is whether or not the mesh will accumulate salt creeps. The water level in my tank is almost till the rim and hence putting the screen will cause water to touch it.

Alongside, should I be concerned about the mesh being "reef safe" or is all the bird netting or clear mesh are reef safe?

It might accumulate salt creep, especially if you already notice a lot of salt creep on the sides of your tank. The tops can easily be rinsed off with a hose and placed back into service.

A mesh top won't have any more build up than any other top you would put on the tank. I would rather know my fish are safe and sound in the aquarium where they should be rather than have to worry about whether they are on the floor. So what are really your options if you don't want to see your fish on the carpet? Glass, eggcrate, force field (pending), or mesh?

I have used the mesh for several other water contact tasks with no problems. Plastics are fairly inert in at normal temperatures in water (including saltwater). Its as safe as pvc, plumbing, acrylic, and other plastic parts commonly used around aquariums.

The aluminum frames are also corrosion resistant and hold up well as long as you use the ones that are painted (the paint is heat treated and does not peel off).

[dirkomatic]

I just made some of these and was surprised how good the brown frame looks. I thought it would be glaringly apparent with the brown against the black frame, but no one can notice unless I point it out...

[mrhasan]

I don't notice a lot of salt creeps around my tank but there are some small lumps around the HOB filter and some splashes on the screen. My water level is high (I like keeping it high). As long as the creeps are not very dense and fall into the tank, it should be good

Does home depot carry plastic frame kits? I would prefer to use that actually.

Originally Posted by jimsflies

It might accumulate salt creep, especially if you already notice a lot of salt creep on the sides of your tank. The tops can easily be rinsed off with a hose and placed back into service.

A mesh top won't have any more build up than any other top you would put on the tank. I would rather know my fish are safe and sound in the aquarium where they should be rather than have to worry about whether they are on the floor. So what are really your options if you don't want to see your fish on the carpet? Glass, eggcrate, force field (pending), or mesh?

I have used the mesh for several other water contact tasks with no problems. Plastics are fairly inert in at normal temperatures in water (including saltwater). Its as safe as pvc, plumbing, acrylic, and other plastic parts commonly used around aquariums.

The aluminum frames are also corrosion resistant and hold up well as long as you use the ones that are painted (the paint is heat treated and does not peel off).