DIY Screen Net Tops: Tips, Tricks, and Pics!

[Slammed01]

Following, great thread! Lost a clown today with a glass top and need to do screen/eggcrate or full screen with hob/cord cutouts

 

[Mical]

I've built 1 for each tank and found when cutting braces to length put rubber strip in first then cut. Also instead of eggcrate or mesh over opening in back (because of plumbing, lighting, etc) I bought black rubber baseboard molding and trimmed to fit. Molding at Home Depot was $3 for a 4ft section.

 

[jalmanza]

Still looking for ideas on how to accommodate a curved front in my 72 gallon bowfront tank. Ideas welcome. [emoji4]

 

[Slammed01]

Eggcrate for rear section, will cutdown when I build my mesh top to prob cover rear 4” vs 9” in pic. waiting on clear mesh to come in. I do like that above with black molding though darn! Future project! [emoji6]

 

[Arnout96]

It looks like your edge netting is the exact FishGuard product from Bananaquarium, but it isn't available to buy yet on their website. Perhaps you are involved with the company or testing it. Is there a way to get one early? Or is there an update on when it will be available? I've read most jumps happen along the edge of the tank, so I've been looking for such a solution as a balanced compromise.

The Fishguard is now available world wide as I am not mistaken. Please send a message through their website if your local aquarium store does not have it in stock yet, they will make sure the Fishguard is available near you as well!

 

[JVU]

The Fishguard is now available world wide as I am not mistaken. Please send a message through their website if your local aquarium store does not have it in stock yet, they will make sure the Fishguard is available near you as well!

Unfortunately they don’t sell a version that will fit thicker glass like my Red Sea Reefer 750. I’ll check back in periodically to see if they will in the future.

 

[c-horse]

I just came across this video and now I would like to see a comparison between black netting vs clear and white netting. I find the white and clear netting reflects too much lights making it hard to photograph from the top without glare. Black netting absorbs light so there is no reflection.

How did your DIY screen net top turn out? Post some pics - we want to see!

Also, we're looking for tips and tricks to help other reefers make the project easier or better, or even improve the end result.

Our tip: use a hair dryer to heat the netting and shrink up any slack, just be careful not to melt it

(You can find our DIY kits here)

 

[c-horse]

After some research on what is possible, here is what I found that may be of use. There are flanged screen corners that could be used to serve as the screen holder. These corners come with lips similar to the nuvo screen top on their int line of aquariums.

Also black pond netting or fruit netting can be used.

 

[randyBRS]

After some research on what is possible, here is what I found that may be of use. There are flanged screen corners that could be used to serve as the screen holder. These corners come with lips similar to the nuvo screen top on their int line of aquariums.Also black pond netting or fruit netting can be used.

This would be a pretty interesting test. I'll add it to the list of potential videos, but not entirely sure when/if we'll be able to revisit it. Hopefully someone has some PAR meters and different style nettings that would like to try this one at home.

 

[KenO]

I had trouble keeping the frame from bowing when I got the mesh tight enough to prevent sagging. It took a couple tries but I finally achieved a nice result by adding a center brace. Also designed and 3D printed some supports to hold the frame flush.

Where did you find the center brace?

 

[jdog1989]

Where did you find the center brace?

The larger Tanks come with Center Braces, if not you have to purchase the Brace you need.

 

[KenO]

The larger Tanks come with Center Braces, if not you have to purchase the Brace you need.

I was referring to the brace on the screen lid to help keep it rigid. Thanks!

 

[jdog1989]

I was referring to the brace on the screen lid to help keep it rigid. Thanks!

That is what I was talking about. That is the brace on screen lid to keep it Rigid, The Center Brace. The smaller tanks do not come with that brace, the larger tanks do, if you want to support it more you need to purchase the extra piece of Metal if yours did not come with it, it is sold online.

 

[ajtomase]

Got the BRS kit and installed this 2 weeks ago. Super easy and the tank looks so much better. You could visibly see the difference right away from our glass lid. we tried going with no lid, loved the look, but one of our clowns jumped. Luckily it landed in the overflow. So this gives us the best of both worlds. Great light penetration and no jumpers.

How were you able to get it nice and smooth? I've seen a lot of net tops with hills and valleys in them!

 

[WirelessMike]

Still looking for ideas on how to accommodate a curved front in my 72 gallon bowfront tank. Ideas welcome. [emoji4]

Couldn’t you cut a custom frame from acrylic like the one posted earlier in the thread? That’s the only way I think you could match the arch of the bow front.