DIY netting cover for top of tank

[markjd]

After losing a fish yesterday due to it jumping out the top of my open top aquarium, I made a cover for the top of the aquarium as seen below:



I used a thread on reefcentral as my reference:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...highlight=mesh

Bill of materials were some aluminium shade cloth window frame, window frame rubber, white bird netting with approx 1/2" square holes, wheelie thing to push frame rubber and bird netting into window frame, 45 deg aluminium elbows for window frame. Total cost was about $45.

Shame I didn't make this earlier, but hopefully now no fishes will be able to jump to their death.

[Loverotties]

Aluminium well oxide.you could of bought the plastic light cover that has the same 1/2 squares opennings and you just snap to fit,Crome or white for half the price.Oh well thats what most people on this site uses.But it sounds nice also.Is your tank grounded?some times that why they jump,because of the stay voltage in your tank.

[markjd]

Originally Posted by Loverotties

Aluminium well oxide.you could of bought the plastic light cover that has the same 1/2 squares opennings and you just snap to fit,Crome or white for half the price.Oh well thats what most people on this site uses.But it sounds nice also.Is your tank grounded?some times that why they jump,because of the stay voltage in your tank.

Thanks for your comments.

Not sure about the aluminium oxidizing when not contact with salt water. Maybe if it was immersed in salt water?

I have tried the plastic light diffuser on a previous tank. I didn't like the way it reduced the amount of light entering the tank. The plastic on this netting is about as thick as fishing line and hence a lot of light gets through, but hopefully no fish

Price was a bit higher than I would have liked due to buying excess material and a frame roller tool I will never use again LOL

Tank is not grounded, but I have GFCI on my mains panel. I did have a grounding probe on my to buy list for a previous tank, but never bought one.

[crvz]

Salt spray/evaporation may corrode the aluminum, but it could take a while. Just wipe down the metal every couple weeks/months and it shouldnt be a problem.

[Kimberfish]

for a while on my old tank i was using these screens that I found at Lowes that would slide to fit whatever you used them for and they had aluminum framing and I never had a problem - it was coated white so maybe thats why.
For those of you using the window crating does the MH lights overheat those or not?

[Geoff]

Looks Great!!!

get some clear spray paint and coat the Al if you are worried about. you will see when it starts to corrode. or you can replace it once you see it oxidizing. i would just clear spray paint it.

i think it is a great idea and looks fantastic!!

G~