Screen's for Rimless Tanks?

[drstratton]

Looking for ideas on how to make an attractive screen for a rimless or euro braced tank!

Thanks!

 

[kschweer]

I built one for my rimless with aluminum screen frame from Home Depot, plastic mesh from BRS and small tabs of acrylic to sit on the glass. The frame with the screen sits inside the glass while the acrylic tabs sit on the top of the glass. I'll try to find some pictures for you.

 

[kschweer]

 

[drstratton]

Thank you for the pictures that looks really nice, love your tank too! I'm researching for a new tank build and I want to know what my options are. I would like a 48L x 40w x 24H or 72L x 30w x 24H. Whichever I can talk my husband into building for me! I also need to decide whether to go rimless, euro or put the black trim around it.

 

[kschweer]

Thank you for the pictures that looks really nice, love your tank too! I'm researching for a new tank build and I want to know what my options are. I would like a 48L x 40w x 24H or 72L x 30w x 24H. Whichever I can talk my husband into building for me! I also need to decide whether to go rimless, euro or put the black trim around it.

Not a problem. Thank you. Both size tanks sound great! I personally like the look of a rimless tank over traditional braced tanks with a eurobraced tank being my second choice. Best of luck with the new tank!

 

[Nnavarro1982]

My hubby just built me one on Friday, he used bird nest netting so there is no reflection at all.

 

[drstratton]

He did a great job with it! It's very helpful to see how the screens are held in place. Thank you for the picture! Nice tank, is that black sand or just the lighting?

 

[drstratton]

I personally like the look of a rimless tank over traditional braced tanks with a eurobraced tank being my second choice. Best of luck with the new tank!

It's the same for me! Traditional would definitely be my last choice!

 

[Nnavarro1982]

It's black sand, it's the Hawaiian black. I love it. Makes the coral colors really pop.

 

[Dtackett]

do you have a sump? if you do, you could always cut a piece of acrylic and cut the edges down to a lip so the lip sits on the edges all the way around. itll ensure you maintain that rimless look while ensuring no fish can jump out and lessen evap. but you would have to be sure your sump gets enough gas exchange, which if you have an appropriately sized skimmer you should be fine.

 

[drstratton]

It's black sand, it's the Hawaiian black. I love it. Makes the coral colors really pop.

Your coral definitely looks beautiful against it! I think I've seen one other tank with black sand, it's really cool!

 

[drstratton]

do you have a sump? if you do, you could always cut a piece of acrylic and cut the edges down to a lip so the lip sits on the edges all the way around. itll ensure you maintain that rimless look while ensuring no fish can jump out and lessen evap. but you would have to be sure your sump gets enough gas exchange, which if you have an appropriately sized skimmer you should be fine.

I had to read through this a couple of times, so your suggesting to place a piece of acrylic to cover the entire top of the tank. I do have a sump and your right it would certainly maintain the look. I could also make a screen using clear mesh and acrylic to make a frame. Definitely something to consider! Thanks!!!

 

[Dtackett]

yeah, you've got multiple choices on how to do it, my only goal would be maintaining the look of the rimless tank. sense your lid or net wouldn't have to support any kind of weight you could shave the edges down to a pretty fine lip that would sit on the edges of your tank while the thicker part would sit inside. and yes you could do the same with a net, get 2 thin pieces of acrylic, put the net between them and bond them, then sit it on top of you tank. the top piece of acrylic would be cut to fit the full rim, the bottom piece of acrylic would be cut to fit on the inside edge to it sits below the edge. this will give only a very thin "rim" and maintain the look.

 

[drstratton]

That's pretty close to what I was thinking. That will work perfectly! Thank you!

 

[kschweer]

The only issue with using acrylic for a lid is that over time it will warp being over the tank. If you plan to go this route look into using a polycarbonate material such as lexan or similar. Many acrylic sump manufacturers use this as lids for this reason.

 

[drstratton]

Thank you! I will put that in my list of supplies!

 

[jlanger]

For my Fluval (rimless) M60, I made a frame out of ⅜" thick polycarbonate with a rabbet around the sides that allow the frame to sit down into the glass walls of the tank. The frame shows only ⅛" above the glass. And since the top of the glass is frosted, I sanded the polycarbonate to match.
I machined another groove inside the frame to allow the screen top to sit flush with the polycarbonate frame.

 

[drstratton]

For my Fluval (rimless) M60, I made a frame out of ⅜" thick polycarbonate with a rabbet around the sides that allow the frame to sit down into the glass walls of the tank. The frame shows only ⅛" above the glass. And since the top of the glass is frosted, I sanded the polycarbonate to match.
I machined another groove inside the frame to allow the screen top to sit flush with the polycarbonate frame.

That is very nicely done!

 

[jlanger]

Thanks!

I needed to make the frame so that I could remove the screen without having to remove the lighting bracket.
When I'm sitting at my desk, I cannot even tell there is a screen over the tank.

 

[adamizy]

Just got mine done