Egg Crate for a cover?

seaweed88 · May 2, 2013

I have been missing fish from my 90 display and today I solved the mystery. I found them behind the stand... What are the negative traits of using an egg crate diffuser as a cover? I am running MH lighting now but plan on gong to LEDs soon, if that makes a difference.
Thanks
Mark

ritter6788 · May 2, 2013

I think some fish like wrasses, firefish, jawfish will still jump through egg crate. Check out the mesh covers on bulkreefsupply.

FishLipz · May 2, 2013

+1 on the mesh. I used eggcrate on my 120 and still lost a couple fish. While obviously better than nothing, you'll be surprised what will fit through the holes.

mike007 · May 2, 2013

Mesh works fine and eggcrate will also work just fine.

oceanparadise1 · May 2, 2013

im a fan of the mesh, nothing can get thru those holes!

seaweed88 · May 2, 2013

What efffect does the crate or the screen have on lighting?
Thanks
Mark

rhino56 · May 3, 2013

It has very little effect on the lighting, especially compared to eggcrate. Most people get the 1/4" holes but I prefer the 1/2" as it lets even more light thru and keeps the fish in just as well.

Eienna · May 3, 2013

I've heard some fish get through the holes and get stuck on top, unable to get back through. Bulk Reef Supply has a clear-mesh screen kit that's a really good idea.

WillKatt · May 3, 2013

Ive had firefish jump through both the brs mesh and the egg crate but its far less likley with the mesh. I started off with white egg crate and it really diffused the light even though it didnt look like it because when I switched to a brs mesh kit many of my sps started to bleach slightly and i ended up droping my leds down about 10%.

Sent Via the R2R Forum APP

-Logzor · May 3, 2013

WillKatt said:
Ive had firefish jump through both the brs mesh and the egg crate but its far less likley with the mesh. I started off with white egg crate and it really diffused the light even though it didnt look like it because when I switched to a brs mesh kit many of my sps started to bleach slightly and i ended up droping my leds down about 10%.

Sent Via the R2R Forum APP

Your fish jumped through the 1/4" netting?

jaugermeister · May 3, 2013

I use the screen door mesh from home depot. Costs $9 to make a cover for your tank and has saved me 100% of ny fosh wihout loosing light. Cheap but very effective

Nicks0912 · May 3, 2013

My dad had the same problem. He just went down 2 Home Depot n bought a screen kit. Solved the problem for the bigger fish...now he just buys fish bigger than the holes in the screen.

I use egg crate on my 24 even tho the lid closes because my goby likes to jump into the pump area.

WillKatt · May 4, 2013

-Logzor said:
Your fish jumped through the 1/4" netting?

Yep I could not believe it! It was the whole reason I switched to the mesh. But low and behold only two hours after acclimating him and introducing to the tank I went back to check on him and couldn't find him but having others jump before I thought " no way" and glanced up and there it was sitting right in the middle of the screen already dried and crispy. It just goes to show if a jumper has even the slightest possibility of getting out they will.