EggCrate cover

nawilson89 · Dec 8, 2015

I would really like to do an eggcrate cover. It's a cheap cover that I can buy one sheet and cover multiple tanks.

My only problem is that I don't have a saw or anything to cut the egg crate as I live in an apartment.

Is there any other way to cut it?

ksfulk · Dec 8, 2015

I cut mine using standard "wire cutters". Id bet you can even use a heavy pair of scissors. The plastic has a tendacy to snap off once there is a crease. Either buy a $3 pair of wire cutters or metal snips and you'll be good to go.

nawilson89 · Dec 8, 2015

ksfulk said:
I cut mine using standard "wire cutters". Id bet you can even use a heavy pair of scissors. The plastic has a tendacy to snap off once there is a crease. Either buy a $3 pair of wire cutters or metal snips and you'll be good to go.

That's what I was thinking. I have an old pair I used to use to build plastic models with that would work just as well.

Thanks!

Ryan15236 · Dec 8, 2015

I used wire cutters to cut up some eggcrate for multiple uses for the tank. It will work as long as you aren't worried about a lot of light getting blocked and having some fish small enough to make it through the grid if they want to take the leap of faith. However the best covers for tanks are made out of 1/4" clear netting. You can make window frames to fit or just secure it to the inside of your canopy if you have one.

nawilson89 · Dec 8, 2015

Ryan15236 said:
I used wire cutters to cut up some eggcrate for multiple uses for the tank. It will work as long as you aren't worried about a lot of light getting blocked and having some fish small enough to make it through the grid if they want to take the leap of faith. However the best covers for tanks are made out of 1/4" clear netting. You can make window frames to fit or just secure it to the inside of your canopy if you have one.

That was another choice, but I can cut the egg crate into shape to go around my HoB filter and also where my gooseneck clamp is attached to the side of my tank.

Reefrookie220 · Dec 8, 2015

Egg crate will make disco lights in the tank because the grid separates the diodes. There is a term for it I can't come up with off the top of my head, I know disco lights isn't very scientific sounding. Lol.

nawilson89 · Dec 8, 2015

Reefrookie220 said:
Egg crate will make disco lights in the tank because the grid separates the diodes. There is a term for it I can't come up with off the top of my head, I know disco lights isn't very scientific sounding. Lol.

Hmm. So I'll buy some from homedepot and bring it home. Drop it ontop the tank and if it diffuses too much I'll just take it back. Less work!

Reefrookie220 · Dec 8, 2015

Not so much a problem of diffusion, but more of an eye sore. If you use LED's that are full spectrum the your gonna see green spots....red\brown spots...

nawilson89 · Dec 8, 2015

Reefrookie220 said:
Not so much a problem of diffusion, but more of an eye sore. If you use LED's that are full spectrum the your gonna see green spots....red\brown spots...

As in on the egg crate or in the water itself?

I use par38 LED bulbs