Mesh Aquarium top materials help...

btkrausen · Dec 19, 2011

soccerbag said:
btk, thanks for the pic. Where did you get your acrylic square tubing? Or did you just buy a clear sheet and rip it to the dimensions you needed it? How does it lift off to feed the fish?

I bought it only somewhere..something like USA acrylics maybe? They had a ton of different sizes and such to choose from. They shipped in a big 48" long protected tube. They were very fast to ship and the price wasn't too bad at all.

When I fed with this it was super easy to lift off. I actually did end up gluing a small handle to lift it with but it was very light and easy to work with.

soccerbag · Dec 19, 2011

btkrausen said:
I bought it only somewhere..something like USA acrylics maybe? They had a ton of different sizes and such to choose from. They shipped in a big 48" long protected tube. They were very fast to ship and the price wasn't too bad at all.

When I fed with this it was super easy to lift off. I actually did end up gluing a small handle to lift it with but it was very light and easy to work with.

Did you use 1/4" or something thicker? It's a good idea and may be my long term solution once I get the screens up this week. Thanks again!

btkrausen · Dec 19, 2011

I believe it was 3/8" as 1/2" was out of stock at the time. Looks like it was 6' sections instead of 4' like I said earlier. I remember now cause it was perfect since my tank was 4 feet long and I was worried about the one piece being short.

This is the site where I bought it. I'm not affiliated with them by any means, but I do recommend then as my experience with them was very good and would order from them again. They have a ton of stuff.

Aquaph8 · Dec 19, 2011

Craig, I bought my mesh from Acroholic. I dont know if you saw it but his for sale link is in his signature. He sells bigger pieces than BRS has.
https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/se.../29899-fs-1-4-square-clear-polypropylene.html

Acropora52 · Dec 20, 2011

Craig,

Let me try to take a pic when I get a chance. Won't be home until late tonight but if I'm still coherent, will snap a shot. If I don't in a couple days, shoot me a pm to remind me.

In terms of pipes sticking out, I'm curious what people do as well. I don't have a lot but do have wires for my tunzes. 3 is probably better then 2. I find that when the screens are big like mine, they tend to have more trouble staying put when you move them (the sides bend a little)

dimitrge · Dec 20, 2011

I just made mine with the help of my cousin. We used Bulk reef supply clear netting 1/4" We bought the brown screen frame and rubber spleen from Home Depot. The metal screen is $4 for a 4 ft piece. bought plastic corner pieces to join them. It cost me like $30 to make 2 for a 75g 24x12 opening. I recommend the BRS netting but the parts from home depot

jimsflies · Dec 20, 2011

roni said:
Craig,

Let me try to take a pic when I get a chance. Won't be home until late tonight but if I'm still coherent, will snap a shot. If I don't in a couple days, shoot me a pm to remind me.

In terms of pipes sticking out, I'm curious what people do as well. I don't have a lot but do have wires for my tunzes. 3 is probably better then 2. I find that when the screens are big like mine, they tend to have more trouble staying put when you move them (the sides bend a little)

Just make the frame a couple inches narrower so there is room at the back. Then get the backsplash material used with glass tops and cut out the openings you need in that. you can either attach it to the frame using glue, velcro, etc. or just lay that across the back area so that it rests on the frame.

I still have a ton of mesh for left over if anyone is looking.

CJO · Dec 20, 2011

soccerbag said:
I have to go around my overflow but the corner pieces that I got at Lowes only go in one direction. Do you guys know if they make corner pieces that allow you to make a 90 degree angle going either direction? I did not even think to look while at Lowes.

What do your corner pieces look like? The ones I got at Lowes, you could just flip over if you need them to go in the other direction.

CJ

soccerbag · Dec 20, 2011

CJO said:
What do your corner pieces look like? The ones I got at Lowes, you could just flip over if you need them to go in the other direction.

CJ

Thanks for the response! The corner pieces I have only fit into the channel in one direction and one direction only. They very well may sell others that can go either direction and that's what I was asking. The fact that yours fit in either direction tells me that I just need to look around when I go back. Thanks for the post - that helps me out a lot : ).

btkrausen · Dec 20, 2011

The ones I get from Lowe's only fit one way since they have a small tab on either side which keep it tight. You may be able to cut those off the go the opposite way.

jimsflies · Dec 20, 2011

btkrausen said:
The ones I get from Lowe's only fit one way since they have a small tab on either side which keep it tight. You may be able to cut those off the go the opposite way.

Corners for screens are only designed to be outside corners, not inside corners...I doubt anyone would stock what you need. I would trim the corner profile so that you can put it in upside down. Then use some adhesive inside of the frame to hold it once you are happy with the direction. I have been able to do all sorts of innovative things with a propane torch. Here is a link to the top I made for my biocube...not the same I realize, but you can start to see how a saw and torch can be your friend.

CJO · Dec 21, 2011

That's right. I just remembered that this is what I had to do (it's been a while). It was a bit of a pain!

CJ

soccerbag · Dec 21, 2011

Thanks for the feedback guys. I have all of the materials and have completed one of the 5 screens. It will make sense when the product is finished. I don't know if this will be my long term solution but it will keep the fish in the tank for now : ). I really appreciate everyone's feedback here. I will post some pics with a better explanation of why all of this was necessary once I complete things...lol. Should be by tomorrow at the latest.

btkrausen · Dec 21, 2011

Woohoo...better be something good

soccerbag · Dec 21, 2011

ha ha....don't get too excited. I'm not reinventing the "mesh cover lid" wheel. Was just saying that due to the plumbing and such of my display, I have to make more screens than I really wanted to. I wish I could post something very intuitive and new but they will look exactly the same as everyone else's...lol.