What to use to cover tank top

[DottyClown]

My clown jump out of my 2ft tank a couple times this year. Luckily it was rescued and survived on both occasions.

Can anyone suggest what to use to cover the tank top? Something that does not block the lights too much.

Egg crate is no-no, as it blocks too much light.

[tang_sohal]

How bout instead of covering your tank. Do a cabinet door around your light and top of tank. Firstly it looks nicer. Secondly any fish that trys to jump. Chances that it will land back in the tank is much higher

[inwear]

You can DIY an egg crate or acrylic sheet which you find from LFS. They use it as a separator. I got mine from c328 for around 8 dollars 2 years back. I remembered they even have for 2 ×1 feet ready to made size. Speak to Mr Toh. The first shop beside the coffeeshop

[Firestarter]

DIY a wire mesh similar to those that you use for BBQ, but use fishing lines for the wires instead.

This method doesn't block light, doesn't cover up your water surface (gas exchange) and prevents fish from jumping.

[TanWeiSongBeck]

Take a look into this thread

[DottyClown]

Thank you all for your contributions. I think I am more inclined towards either ordering the mesh from USA, or DIY with fishing line if I can't find similar mesh in DIY shops.

Firestarter, have you tried fishing lines yourself before? Or know anyone that did?

[Firestarter]

Thank you all for your contributions. I think I am more inclined towards either ordering the mesh from USA, or DIY with fishing line if I can't find similar mesh in DIY shops.

Firestarter, have you tried fishing lines yourself before? Or know anyone that did?

Can't remember the exact nick, I think its subzero or something. Check out his tank thread, he had the same idea and used egg crate for the edges.

[Firestarter]

Here's the link.

[diki88]

if not wrong, iwarna got sell tank covers right?

[SubzeroLT]

Personally i don't like my egg crate + fishing line cover. It works, but honestly - quite ugly for something in the living room.

My feedback ,

- Those plastic mesh found in local hardware shops work great. But the plastic is pretty thick - blocks some of the light. If you have time, buy them at hardware shops in the local neighborhood industrial estates. So much cheaper than HomeFix.

- I used the $20 egg crate which are supposed to be stiffer but with the center cut out, its still quite flimsy. Something stiffer would be better, else it'll warp with the taut fishing line.

- I used excess fishing line. If i were to do it again, i'd consider just buying a fish net (those for catching fishes in the ocean) & wrap it around a frame

Other options would be a fine nylon mesh found at Spotlight.

I think its $4.99 per meter

[magical26]

if not wrong, iwarna got sell tank covers right?

Is it? Anyone bought it, got pictures? Much better if we can just simply buy off the shelf.

[ETHS88]

I would suggest a bbq wired mesh wrapped with another layer of mainstream black soft and fine mash that ppl use as shade.

[TanWeiSongBeck]

I would suggest a bbq wired mesh wrapped with another layer of mainstream black soft and fine mash that ppl use as shade.

I would suggest using bbq wired mesh. You are blocking way too much lights from your corals.

[CookieCrunch]

Why not just buy those mesh that use to block the gates to prevent doggies from running out . It comes in a roll . Easy cut and use .

[pcw]

Won't BBQ wire mesh rust very quickly?

[DottyClown]

Personally i don't like my egg crate + fishing line cover. It works, but honestly - quite ugly for something in the living room.

My feedback ,

- Those plastic mesh found in local hardware shops work great. But the plastic is pretty thick - blocks some of the light. If you have time, buy them at hardware shops in the local neighborhood industrial estates. So much cheaper than HomeFix.

- I used the $20 egg crate which are supposed to be stiffer but with the center cut out, its still quite flimsy. Something stiffer would be better, else it'll warp with the taut fishing line.

- I used excess fishing line. If i were to do it again, i'd consider just buying a fish net (those for catching fishes in the ocean) & wrap it around a frame

Other options would be a fine nylon mesh found at Spotlight.

I think its $4.99 per meter

I feel the main criteria for material to use as the mesh would be, Thin & Transparent. That's why I like yr idea of fishing line or net. Think the nylon mesh would block out too much light.

And u are right about the egg crate. It will become weak n flimsy with the center "hollowed". Maybe use acrylic to form the frame instead?