Newlinj Posted January 9, 2010 Report Share Posted January 9, 2010 Thanks to Scottw for the tip about this DIY screen cover. It beats the heck out of my glass top. Lets in all the light and keeps the fish from jumping out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southstar066 Posted January 9, 2010 Report Share Posted January 9, 2010 looks very professional, like it came with the tank. Good job Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scalare102079 Posted January 9, 2010 Report Share Posted January 9, 2010 what is the material consist of? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newlinj Posted January 9, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2010 what is the material consist of? Here is the material list. 5/16" screen frame, plastic screen corners, 0.140" screening spline, spline installation tool, the clear mesh netting You can get everything at Lowes or Home Depot except for the mesh netting. I got the mesh from Acroholic on Reef2Reef. He bought a large roll and sells it at cost to anyone that wants some. He also posted directions on how to assemble it. Just PM him if anyone wants some. Aquarium Cover Directions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottw Posted January 10, 2010 Report Share Posted January 10, 2010 Jim, That looks amazing, your tank is going to look even that much better (didn't know that was possible)!!! Anyone that hasn't had a chance to see his tank in person is missing out on one of the best tanks I have seen, and I have seen a lot of amazing tanks, and he is right up there! Great job!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newlinj Posted January 10, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2010 Jim,That looks amazing, your tank is going to look even that much better (didn't know that was possible)!!! Anyone that hasn't had a chance to see his tank in person is missing out on one of the best tanks I have seen, and I have seen a lot of amazing tanks, and he is right up there! Great job!!! Thanks Scott. I really appreciate you telling me about the screen cover. It's a great improvement! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roundspore Posted January 10, 2010 Report Share Posted January 10, 2010 Jim,That looks amazing, your tank is going to look even that much better (didn't know that was possible)!!! Anyone that hasn't had a chance to see his tank in person is missing out on one of the best tanks I have seen, and I have seen a lot of amazing tanks, and he is right up there! Great job!!! Can we get a full tank shot? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newlinj Posted January 10, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2010 Can we get a full tank shot? There are some old ones in my gallery. I'll try and get a new one up tomorrow after all the lights come up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newlinj Posted January 10, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2010 As requested here are some updated pictures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newlinj Posted January 10, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2010 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roundspore Posted January 10, 2010 Report Share Posted January 10, 2010 Nice pics!!!! Michael Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
romeo1234_00 Posted February 7, 2010 Report Share Posted February 7, 2010 Nice tank. I like the screen idea. I used to have a flounder that like commit suicide so I had to have glass top to keep it alive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsBugmaster Posted February 7, 2010 Report Share Posted February 7, 2010 Great lookong tank, ilove the aquascape Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fourseahorseman Posted February 24, 2010 Report Share Posted February 24, 2010 Nice tank Newlinj. I did the same DIY cover a few of months ago so that I could add a few 'jumpers' including a school of Bartlett's Anthias and a Temminicki Fairy Wrasse. I had the same material list except I got Dupont Wildlife netting at Lowes, it looks like it may be the same thing that you have. It is 1/4" plastic mesh grid, UV resistant and located 4" below a 400w MH has shown no signs of degradation. I put two layers, one rotated at 45 degrees because I was afraid the bartlets would fit through the 1/4" holes. I borrowed a light metter from work to see how much light the mesh would block. It is a fc/lux meter not a par meter. I did readings on multiple lamps in several spots and got readings of 4%, 11%, and 11%, for an average of 8% less light with the mesh in place. I wonder if a coral however would notice the same drop in light. Since MH point source rays of light are hitting the mesh which blocks a certain percentage, approximately 8% based on my very unscientific study, I wonder if the coral really notices that or if the 92% of the flesh of the coral that does get the full light is really what matters? The lamps that were tested were new 400w SPS 14K's, only a few hours of burn in. without the cover they averaged 75,000 lux at 1" above the water surface, which was as close as I wanted to place the borrowed sensor. Brief research said that sun intensity on reefs reaches a maximum of 120,000 lux at the water surface but the average due to clouds etc. is interestingly also 75,000 lux. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogum99 Posted February 24, 2010 Report Share Posted February 24, 2010 I am thinking about doing this. Right now I have glass tops. What type of benefits would I get with a mesh top? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coralfarm123 Posted February 24, 2010 Report Share Posted February 24, 2010 I am thinking about doing this. Right now I have glass tops. What type of benefits would I get with a mesh top? Glass tops trap heat and allow for less gas exchange. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pwoller Posted February 24, 2010 Report Share Posted February 24, 2010 Glass tops trap heat and allow for less gas exchange. From my experiance the mesh tops dont get salt creep all over them so they will block less light too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogum99 Posted February 24, 2010 Report Share Posted February 24, 2010 I don't have any heat issues but I might when I finally get my 6ft light hung. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newlinj Posted February 24, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2010 For me the benefits are primarily keeping the fish in, letting the light in, and keeping the salt creep away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogum99 Posted February 26, 2010 Report Share Posted February 26, 2010 Just finished my cover. I have lots of black plastic netting left if anyone wants some. Best of all its free!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noodlenugs Posted February 26, 2010 Report Share Posted February 26, 2010 You should put a pic up of the new top!! And from what I saw, you should get a lot more light in your tank and better gas exchange. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogum99 Posted February 26, 2010 Report Share Posted February 26, 2010 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noodlenugs Posted February 26, 2010 Report Share Posted February 26, 2010 NICE JOB!! That looks great!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hooked Posted March 1, 2010 Report Share Posted March 1, 2010 Thanks to pwoller I've now joined the covered tank club. Maybe I can keep some fish now Thanks Paul!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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