mesh tank cover - Page 3

tosiek · 01-23-2007, 03:37 AM

Kathy where did ya get the netting?

**KathyC** · 01-23-2007, 10:24 AM

The netting came from Ace Hardware 11.99 for a 14' x 14' section, it's called Pond & Pool netting. Also available at garden centers.

**KathyC** · 01-23-2007, 11:49 PM

Finally finished the cover to keep the wrasses from jumping out. I bought the screen frames but they come with only 4 corners per pack and I wanted to have a door on each side of the tank for ease of feeding plus I can't manage to keep my hands out of the tank...
I tried to make the covers using corner braces but was not pleased with how they looked so I caved and bought 2 more packages tonight (HD does carry the extra corners...in the Spring...and that would reduce the cost by $20). I got stuck buying 2 different color frames since the selection this time of year is poor at best.

I used nuts and bolts to attach the hinges as the frames are hollow inside and I didn't trust sheet metal screws for the wear these will get.

The piece of eggcrate in the rear covers the area that I couldn't frame out due to the OFB & returns. Beneath it is flexible gutter guard as extra protection as I've already had one wrasse escape the tank by jumping through the egg crate.

I will be painting the eggcrate black with the Krylon Fusion paint as soon as it's warmer outside.
Due to the way I cut the new covers & seated them within the frame of the tank, my canopy will still fit onto the tank (canopy is backless & topless due to my light fixture that is hung from the ceiling - 13" above water).

Cost of frames, netting, hinges, (already had the eggcrate) $56
Peace of mind - priceless.

Full view

Flexible Gutter Guard under eggcrate

Full frame with 1 door open

...and no, the 2 hinged doors are not the same size.

**jhale** · 01-24-2007, 12:02 AM

looks good Kathy.
how does the light look in the tank?
are there shadows from the middle brace?

**KathyC** · 01-24-2007, 12:23 AM

Yes Jon, there are shadows. Noticed them after I posted...not awful but still.
I just flipped them around and now the shadows fall to the rear. IF you only needed one door...less shadows. A smaller door cut to one side?

Not sure what other material could be used to eliminate the shadow...we'll have to give that some more thought.

Thinking...

What about sandwiching the netting between 2 pieces of plexi (not sure what thickness, but needs to be stiff enough not to sag)? Is there a good glue that would hold that and not totally 'white' out the plexi?
BTW- the netting itself isn't obstructing enough light to notice the difference.

01-23-2007, 10:24 AM	#22
KathyC Rafflemeister Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Barnum Island Posts: 4,706 Reefer Ratings: (80) Friends: (53)	The netting came from Ace Hardware 11.99 for a 14' x 14' section, it's called Pond & Pool netting. Also available at garden centers. __________________ Don't just treat the symptom, remedy the cause!

01-23-2007, 11:49 PM	#23
KathyC Rafflemeister Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Barnum Island Posts: 4,706 Reefer Ratings: (80) Friends: (53)	The finished frame Finally finished the cover to keep the wrasses from jumping out. I bought the screen frames but they come with only 4 corners per pack and I wanted to have a door on each side of the tank for ease of feeding plus I can't manage to keep my hands out of the tank... I tried to make the covers using corner braces but was not pleased with how they looked so I caved and bought 2 more packages tonight (HD does carry the extra corners...in the Spring...and that would reduce the cost by $20). I got stuck buying 2 different color frames since the selection this time of year is poor at best. I used nuts and bolts to attach the hinges as the frames are hollow inside and I didn't trust sheet metal screws for the wear these will get. The piece of eggcrate in the rear covers the area that I couldn't frame out due to the OFB & returns. Beneath it is flexible gutter guard as extra protection as I've already had one wrasse escape the tank by jumping through the egg crate. I will be painting the eggcrate black with the Krylon Fusion paint as soon as it's warmer outside. Due to the way I cut the new covers & seated them within the frame of the tank, my canopy will still fit onto the tank (canopy is backless & topless due to my light fixture that is hung from the ceiling - 13" above water). Cost of frames, netting, hinges, (already had the eggcrate) $56 Peace of mind - priceless. Full view Flexible Gutter Guard under eggcrate Full frame with 1 door open ...and no, the 2 hinged doors are not the same size. __________________ Don't just treat the symptom, remedy the cause!

01-24-2007, 12:02 AM	#24
jhale paper bags are fun! Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: G.V NYC Posts: 15,160 Reefer Ratings: (43) Friends: (32)	looks good Kathy. how does the light look in the tank? are there shadows from the middle brace? __________________ FS: Aquamedic dosing pump, MH250 ballast, wavemaker

01-24-2007, 12:23 AM	#25
KathyC Rafflemeister Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Barnum Island Posts: 4,706 Reefer Ratings: (80) Friends: (53)	Yes Jon, there are shadows. Noticed them after I posted...not awful but still. I just flipped them around and now the shadows fall to the rear. IF you only needed one door...less shadows. A smaller door cut to one side? Not sure what other material could be used to eliminate the shadow...we'll have to give that some more thought. Thinking... What about sandwiching the netting between 2 pieces of plexi (not sure what thickness, but needs to be stiff enough not to sag)? Is there a good glue that would hold that and not totally 'white' out the plexi? BTW- the netting itself isn't obstructing enough light to notice the difference. __________________ Don't just treat the symptom, remedy the cause!

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01-23-2007, 03:37 AM	#21
tosiek Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Greenpoint Brooklyn, NY Posts: 1,589 Reefer Ratings: (30) Friends: (10)	Kathy where did ya get the netting?