Best Mesh Lid?

Baby Ray · Apr 28, 2016

He everyone,
I NEED a mesh lid because I have already lost one fish to jumping and I found another on on the floor today (I think he will be ok though). What is the cleanest looking, non-notacible like out there?
I have a normal 29 gallon tank. The kind you get at Pet smart (I got mine on the $1 per gallon sale).
It has a black frame at the top and at the bottom.
Any suggestions are great!!!! Thanks

michellejy · Apr 28, 2016

Bulk Reef Supply offers a mesh kit that looks clean.

Baby Ray · Apr 28, 2016

michellejy said:
Bulk Reef Supply offers a mesh kit that looks clean.

Thanks, I'll look into it

mr11 · Apr 28, 2016

Check out artfully acrylic clearview lids.

Baby Ray · Apr 28, 2016

mr11 said:
Check out artfully acrylic clearview lids.

I thought those were for rimless tanks

cmcoker · Apr 28, 2016

Check home depot or the like, for a window screen kit ($12 around here) then you just need some clear plastic 1/4in mesh for the top. Some can find it local as bird netting, I never could, but can source that from BRS, amazon, or I think theres a guy on here that has a huge roll and will cut to order

Bdog4u2 · Apr 28, 2016

Baby Ray said:
I thought those were for rimless tanks

They can custom make you one

Caseyoidae · Apr 28, 2016

Clear screen netting from bulk reef supply and everything else(spline, frame and corners) from homedepot is cheapest, best looking and most transparent way to go.

Fin · Apr 28, 2016

Love mine. It was custom made to fit my DIY nano by "Smiz" at Tank Toppers. If interested, you can send him a private message here on R2R (Smiz), or you can find him at NanoReef.

UncleSalty · Apr 29, 2016

I like the BRS myself. Easily put into a screen frame from Home Depot.

clover128 · Nov 17, 2017

mr11 said:
Check out artfully acrylic clearview lids.

Thanks

mr11 said:
Check out artfully acrylic clearview lids.

Those look perfect - thanks for the pointer.

mfinn · Nov 17, 2017

I really like my Artfully Acrylic screen top, but I am seeing nothing but heartache and drama in their forum over communication and build times.
I got mine in about 6 weeks, but I see wait times going longer with little or no communication.
There is another screen top builder, I think the name is Octo Aquatics, and is a sponsor here on R2R

Fin · Nov 17, 2017

I have an Artfully Acrylic top also. Took about 8 weeks and it came out awesome. They are having growing pains, but if you are not in a rush, they do good work. The picture I posted above was from another builder and they have since shut down their operation. They couldn't keep up with the demand and had a day job. I liked the heavier screen he used.

ca1ore · Nov 17, 2017

I make my own out of screen frame materials from HD and 1/4" cicada netting I bought a while back. Not a fan of the BRS clear netting frankly.

Orm Embar · Nov 18, 2017

You can buy tank lid clips (Inno Marine) to use a screen mesh lid on a rimless tank.

I also went the BulkReefSupply route with the clear mesh - I made it slightly smaller so that I could use eggcrate with cutouts in the back. The clear thing is a "handle" made from clear packing tape sO ican slide it back to feed easily

Your other option is Artfully Acrylic/Octo/anyone who does acrylic lids as above. More cost, different look and non-DIY