Wasn't sure whether to post this here or in Q&A, but since something like this would be *DYI*, I thought this was the best place to ask....
Our tank is open. We have compact pc's on *legs* which stand about 3-4 inches above the tank. We're researching a few fish that we're adding to a *wish list* which have the requirement of a *tight fitting canopy or lid*. We can only have a small bio load in that size tank and don't want the critters going A.W.O.L.
Wanted to get one of Cameron's glass tops, but after thinking about it, we can't ~ ~we have a HOT filter and will be adding a Back-Pack skimmer.
The aquarium has a *lip* which used to contain a combination glass/plastic hinged canopy (long gone ~ the tank is 20+ years old), so I thought something could rest on that lip and have cut-outs for equipment and cords.
I thought about plastic canvas #5 (which has 5 squares per inch), but I think it might difuse the light too much.
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A friend I know uses garden netting, so I might try that.
http://www.china-wirenetting.com/images/3-2.gif" alt="" />
Anyone else have any ideas? What do you use to cover your tanks that takes into consideration the heat cause by the lamps and the ability for as much light as possible to pass into the tank?
Eventually, we'll have a larger tank and will build a canopy, but for now I need to come up with something that keeps the fish in the tank.
Thanks for putting up with my novice questions!!!
~Linda
P.S. ~ ~ We got a timer for the lights. The tank is 33 gals. <span style="color: darkred;">[B]How many hours per day should the lights be on?[/B]</span> (We turn the actinic on an hour early and leave them on an extra hour after the others have gone off. We'd like to add lunar lights, too.)
Our tank is open. We have compact pc's on *legs* which stand about 3-4 inches above the tank. We're researching a few fish that we're adding to a *wish list* which have the requirement of a *tight fitting canopy or lid*. We can only have a small bio load in that size tank and don't want the critters going A.W.O.L.
Wanted to get one of Cameron's glass tops, but after thinking about it, we can't ~ ~we have a HOT filter and will be adding a Back-Pack skimmer.
The aquarium has a *lip* which used to contain a combination glass/plastic hinged canopy (long gone ~ the tank is 20+ years old), so I thought something could rest on that lip and have cut-outs for equipment and cords.
I thought about plastic canvas #5 (which has 5 squares per inch), but I think it might difuse the light too much.

A friend I know uses garden netting, so I might try that.
http://www.china-wirenetting.com/images/3-2.gif" alt="" />
Anyone else have any ideas? What do you use to cover your tanks that takes into consideration the heat cause by the lamps and the ability for as much light as possible to pass into the tank?
Eventually, we'll have a larger tank and will build a canopy, but for now I need to come up with something that keeps the fish in the tank.
Thanks for putting up with my novice questions!!!
~Linda
P.S. ~ ~ We got a timer for the lights. The tank is 33 gals. <span style="color: darkred;">[B]How many hours per day should the lights be on?[/B]</span> (We turn the actinic on an hour early and leave them on an extra hour after the others have gone off. We'd like to add lunar lights, too.)