mesh top holders

atlweb · Oct 25, 2011

I have a 10mm thick glass tank that I need to hold a simple mesh top. I don't want to silicone anything in there, I am hoping for something similar to what the solana has to hold its top... except larger to accomodate the thicker glass.

Any ideas? Anyone good at bending acrylic so that I can make something to hold it on the inside of the tank?

budsreef · Oct 25, 2011

I'm having trouble picturing what you are trying to do especially since I've never seen a solana top. Can you post a picture? That may help generate ideas. Acrylic is pretty easy to bend with a heat gun.

hnguyen · Oct 25, 2011

Budsreef;699094 wrote: I'm having trouble picturing what you are trying to do especially since I've never seen a solana top. Can you post a picture? That may help generate ideas. Acrylic is pretty easy to bend with a heat gun.

I think I know what he's talking about. The solana has a triangle shape leg (if you want to call it that) that is attached to each corner of the tank. That allows for you to insert a glass cover over the top of the tank that fits neatly inside the rim of the tank.

As Bud stated, acrylic is fairly easy to bend with a nice heat gun, just move every slowly and take your time bending it as to not crack the acrylic. That will prevent the acrylic from forming white crack marks all over. A good tip is to use a longer strip of acrylic when your bending and then cut off the rest of the ends when your done. It's easier to bend a long piece rather then a short one since you'll have no place to hold it. Also make sure you have something nice and flat to lay your acrylic down on while you bend so you get a nice flat and even bend.

atlweb · Oct 25, 2011

This is the best picture I could find... not a good one.

>Solana glass top holder image by dansworth on Photobucket</a>

But essentially those little parts on the top sides of the tank are bent to fit around the glass sides and have a little ledge so that a top can fit neatly inside of it.

Hnguyen- do you know where I can buy an acrylic strip? Or anywhere with access to a heat gun?

hnguyen · Oct 25, 2011

you can find them at most home improvement stores. You can ask them for scraps and lots of them they'll give it to you for free. But let me check some sites for you and get back with ya.

Edit: http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/Sheet-Stock-1UNZ6?Pid=search

They have local shops you can pick up at. This piece is a 12"x12"x1/8" ( thickness is give or take) and it's only like $5. You'll have plenty of material to mess up with and make them perfect.

budsreef · Oct 25, 2011

Hmmm.... Why don't you want to just silicone small pieces in the corners? I doubt that they would be noticeable.

hnguyen · Oct 25, 2011

As far as a heat gun, you can find those either at a home improvement store or any hobby store. Make sure to heat the area that you cut when done to insure a smooth surface.

budsreef · Oct 25, 2011

Here is a part of acroholic's instructions for doing a mesh top on a rimless tank. You can see the whole thread in the DIY forum:

Acroholic;399600 wrote: Step 8. Install on your tank.

Rimless Instructions.

Please follow the regular instructions, except you need to make the mesh top to the outer dimensions of your rimless tank, meaning the total length and width of the tank, including the glass. This is because the mesh top will sit directly on top of the rimless tank.

Here is how I have my mesh top sit securely on my rimless tank.

Step 1. I cut out two thin pieces of acrylic in the shape of a capital “L”. I then bent each one as you see in the picture below. These were siliconed in place on the back left and right top corners of the left and right glass panel as seen in the picture below. These two pieces hold the mesh top in place when you replace it after feeding or tank maintenance.

http://www.discusdave.com/images/reef20.JPG" alt="" />

Step 2. I cut two small pieces of acrylic and siliconed them onto the front left and right top corners of the front glass panel. See picture below. You may need to play with size, as these should be cut to fit the hollow underside of the mesh top front corner pieces.

[IMG]http://www.discusdave.com/images/reef21.JPG" alt="" />

The plastic corner pieces of the mesh top are hollow on the bottom, and the screen top front left and right corners fit over the small plastic pieces siliconed on the front corners of the front glass, and they serve to keep the mesh top in place as it sits on the tank.
[IMG]http://www.discusdave.com/images/reef22.JPG" alt="" />

Completed top on 100 gallon rimless tank.

[IMG]http://www.discusdave.com/images/reef23.JPG" alt="" />

That is about it. If anyone has any questions, please feel free to send me a PM via the messaging system here.

Best regards,
David[/QUOTE]

atlweb · Oct 25, 2011

I'd prefer to have the mesh top sit within the tank (less noticeable). Otherwise that would be an awesome solution!

I may also just super glue some small plastic/acrylic parts to the top of the window frame so that it holds up the top against the tank.

Also, I tried siliconing some small square pieces in the inside corner of the tank, but unfortunately the corners are not even (the current seal creates a bump) so that the square cannot be placed evenly on both sides and it doesn't sit well

I'd prefer making some sort of clip that can just sit on the sides of the tank and be really easy to take on/off.. while keeping the mesh top more hidden... but i'm not sure how easy of a project it is going to be.

Hnguyen- I actually tried Home Depot and the guy told me they do not have any acrylic there. If I could find some small pieces like you are talking about and heat them / build the clips.. that would be ideal.

hnguyen · Oct 25, 2011

I'll dig around once I get home tonight to see if I can find some scrap I had laying around. I'm not sure if I throw them out or not. I'll get back with you.

atlweb · Oct 25, 2011

Thank you so much!

hnguyen · Oct 25, 2011

atlweb;699130 wrote: Thank you so much!

Don't thank me yet since I haven't found it....lol

acroholic · Oct 25, 2011

You can buy a thin 8.5" x 11" piece of Lexan at Lowes for $3. Perfect for this application. Bends without heat with your hands, and cuts easily with metal snips.

hnguyen · Oct 25, 2011

Dave always has good advise. He's the mesh top guru!! lol

atlweb · Oct 25, 2011

Acroholic;699133 wrote: You can buy a thin 8.5" x 11" piece of Lexan at Lowes for $3. Perfect for this application. Bends without heat with your hands, and cuts easily with metal snips.

This sounds perfect. I am going to head there tonight and hopefully create these clips!

Thanks, Dave!

chris s · Oct 25, 2011

Acroholic;699133 wrote: You can buy a thin 8.5" x 11" piece of Lexan at Lowes for $3. Perfect for this application. Bends without heat with your hands, and cuts easily with metal snips.

It should be in the same area they keep the plate/window glass.

acroholic · Oct 25, 2011

You should be able to use the glass of the Solana as a guide. Get a strip of the Lexan, hold it on one side a the top of the glass, make a 90 degree bend, then bend it down the other side in another 90 bend. Make sure the inside part of the Lexan strip has enough length to bend out to support the mesh top, and you are done. Make 4 of them.

atlweb · Oct 25, 2011

Thank you so much! I think my light fixture finally comes in tomorrow... so it will be nice to have my tank fully functional

hnguyen · Oct 25, 2011

I did find a small left over piece of acrylic you can have. It's only about 5-6 square inches. I work in Cobb by the cumberland mall if you want I can bring it to work.

mesh top holders

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