DIY Screen for open top tanks

[tcampbell23]

Anybody who has had a rimless or open top tank has encountered a fish jumping or worries about it. This morning I came down stairs to one of my fish lying on the floor. Luckily I caught it in time and I think he's gonna pull through.

Determined to prevent this from happening again,I went searching for mesh to build a screen and it happened to be the HARDEST thing in the world for me to find. Obviously I found it online but I was looking for a local solution. It took a while but in the garden section at Home Depot, there is a product called bird block. It's about $6 and is exactly what I was looking for.

I don't know if this is new to anyone or anything like that but I definitely wanted to share this so I can help the next reefer in need.




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[shrimpy brains]

Good info here.

http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=34002&highlight=mesh+tops">http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=34002&highlight=mesh+tops</a>

Pictures of what you got??

 

[wannabeeareefkeeper]

Shrimpy Brains;1097510 wrote: Good info here.

http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=34002&highlight=mesh+tops">http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=34002&highlight=mesh+tops</a>

Pictures of what you got??[/QUOTE]

^^^^ Great author of that thread whom has given some Great advice in Reef Keeping here at ARC. Dave has past on as his Great advice to others lives on.

Wannabee

 

[tcampbell23]

Dave'a thread is exactly what I followed to get this done. I just had a hard time sourcing the mesh. Dave mentions he ordered it online, I just wanted to give out a local option. But yes, amazing advice from the Great Dave!


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[tcampbell23]

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[shrimpy brains]

Looks great. How large are the openings?

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[tcampbell23]

Shrimpy Brains;1097552 wrote: Looks great. How large are the openings?

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I believe they are about a 1/4" but it's doubled.


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[snowmansnow]

does this hurt PAR ?


So long, and thanks for all the fish.

 

[jhutto]

Pure Reef has the mesh.

 

[tcampbell23]

SnowManSnow;1097584 wrote: does this hurt PAR ?


So long, and thanks for all the fish.

I don't have a par meter to verify but I don't think it's a significant effect


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[xilez]

I would think the black netting might creates spots where light is not hitting. Thats why BRS uses a clear nylon style mesh to make sure light penetrates.

I'm not sure how much this actually affects anything

 

[tcampbell23]

I understand that and I would agree but the mesh is SO thin, I highly doubt there's a significant impact.


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[schwaggs]

Nice! Did you find the frame materials at Home Depot too?

 

[outdrsyguy1]

home depot has the screen aluminum framing, corner elbows that slip in, rubber string you press into the slot to hold the mesh in, and the roller tool (totally worth it). Only thing they don't have is the mesh. good to know pure reef carries it, thought BRS was the only place in the industry. Glad george found it

 

[Reefplumber13]

I have a ton of the bird block for anyone who needs some and doesn't want to by the whole roll.

 

[tcampbell23]

outdrsyguy1;1098080 wrote: home depot has the screen aluminum framing, corner elbows that slip in, rubber string you press into the slot to hold the mesh in, and the roller tool (totally worth it). Only thing they don't have is the mesh. good to know pure reef carries it, thought BRS was the only place in the industry. Glad george found it

Yep! I just wanted to give alternative options to those who didn't want to risk waiting for something to ship.


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