DIY Screen Net Tops: Tips, Tricks, and Pics!
- Thread starter Bulk Reef Supply
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LbulletM
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Here's my current "I'M NOT LOSING ANOTHER FISH" work around until I get the frame squared up and mesh put in this weekend. 
At least it aides as another step of light acclimation for all of my new corals hahaha
At least it aides as another step of light acclimation for all of my new corals hahaha
LbulletM
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OH NO! I need to get home and take this off ASAP!
Just kidding, there's a pretty large gap at the cutout around my filter (which is part of my modification before screening) and the filter injects a LOT of bubbles into the system from the cascade, especially with my water being a little low after a water change last night.
Murftoo
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This is exactly what I did and it makes feeding and other daily things like clipping seaweed easier.
This is great! My BRS DIY kit ended up warped from pulling too tight, so I need a redo and was considering trying to create a hinged system for feeding, etc. But this looks simpler and smarter. Are those clips in the center T shaped? Or are the two screens just loosely sharing the space on top of a normal clip?
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This is SLICK! Is that hinged toward the back??
Mal11224
Valuable Member
Hi. Love your top. Have you had issues keeping fish in since it's open like that? I have a full net cover and was thinking about cutting it like that. i have had two fish jump out, which caused me to make one.Nice to see all these very nicely crafted aquarium covers! Great work.
I have installed this cover to my aquarium, extremely effective, and it is barely visible with the lights on!
Hey, no I have had no fish jump out the tank anymore! But I do not know what it does with wrasses since they seem very 'jumpy'. But my top was sufficien for my 10 anthiases and 10 chromises so I am pretty happy with it. I see these tops are coming to market as a retail product soon
Mal11224
Valuable Member
I like the way they look. The full screen seems to dull the light a little even though retailers say they don't diminish the intensity.
mfinn
likes zoanthids
I looked and the only thing I saw there were covers that only covered the edge of the tanks. kind of useless IMO
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Definitely not a complete solution, I could see it being useful to cover gaps for power cords and such in conjunction with a regular diy kit. Not sure how cost effective that would be though
flagg37
Custom stair builder - TreeofLifeStairs.com
I made mine from 1/4" acrylic too. It was what I had left over from building my sump. Acrylic absorbs water so it starts to pull up from the corners over time. It's symmetrical though so I simply flip it over and it starts over.
My tank is 48"x30" so I wanted the center "brace" to hold up the screen over the length. I also set up my auto feeder on top of it to drop pellets through the screen. The auto feeder sits over the top of the overflow. I have the apex turn off the return pump a couple mins before it feeds so that the food doesn't just go down the overflow.
I used an 1/8" bit as well to route the groove for the spline. There are different thickness splines so make sure you match up your groove with the spline you get. Also routing an 1/8" into the side of 1/4" material isn't the easiest thing to do. It leaves only 1/16" on either side.
My tank is 48"x30" so I wanted the center "brace" to hold up the screen over the length. I also set up my auto feeder on top of it to drop pellets through the screen. The auto feeder sits over the top of the overflow. I have the apex turn off the return pump a couple mins before it feeds so that the food doesn't just go down the overflow.
I used an 1/8" bit as well to route the groove for the spline. There are different thickness splines so make sure you match up your groove with the spline you get. Also routing an 1/8" into the side of 1/4" material isn't the easiest thing to do. It leaves only 1/16" on either side.
Xclusive Reef
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Did you glue the screen to the polycarbonate? Is that the brs screen kit? I also have a eurobrace tank and was looking to keep it clean look like yours. Well done on that screen.here is my solution for screens on a eurobraced tank. I used "polycarbonate h jamb" in the size that matched my screen frame thickness. This is the stuff you use on frameless glass shower enclosures for the door to seal against. I was looking for a solution because I couldn't stand the idea of having this beautiful eurobraced tank and just having a screen sit on top. the screen sits flush with the top of the glass. The screen is the BRS stuff.
mfinn
likes zoanthids
Have you ever done one?
It's not as easy as it looks. I've done several and it doesn't take much to get it out of line with the edge.
flagg37
Custom stair builder - TreeofLifeStairs.com
That was my first thought too.
Stop looking at your lid and look at your fish and coral more.
I understand when you spot something that bugs you and you can't avoid seeing it.
Stop looking at your lid and look at your fish and coral more.
I understand when you spot something that bugs you and you can't avoid seeing it.
Philt56
Active Member
Did you have to do anything for where the light mounts are? I assume those are radions and the clamp is going to jut into the tank a bit. Looks like the screw is above the cover too.This is exactly what I did and it makes feeding and other daily things like clipping seaweed easier.
I just had a buddy cut out a piece on my overflow area's lid to allow for wrapping around my light mount. Didn't have to be a snug fit since on overflow so not accessible by fish jumpers.
