Acrylic framed screen for rimless tank

[ReefMadScientist]

I made one last night. Looks weren't a priority. The top of my canopy is about 7 ft tall. Used light diffuser"egg crate". Cut to fit. It has 2 solid oak pieces but they're heavy and I like the extra air.

I know you could special order it in black. Could that be an option for you?

 

[atlorange]

Finally finished mine. I sandwiched the screen between two 1/4" acrylic frames. It still bowed quite a bit in the center, even with a center brace, but it does the job and looks pretty decent.

 

[lsaint88]

Got the netting on and found I need to add a few more of the little pegs. Once I add them I think I'll be able to smooth out most of the waves in the net. I think overall it's going to work pretty good

DO you know where I can get the netting? I know marinedepot and BRS has it but what about Home Depo. or ACE?

 

[jedimasterben]

DO you know where I can get the netting? I know marinedepot and BRS has it but what about Home Depo. or ACE?

Home Depot typically sells 1/2" black bird netting (may be called deer netting, I get the two confused). They sell it in gigantic rolls for like $7

 

[ronnie]

Here's the one I did. This is on a rimmed tank now, but it will be on my 60g rimless when I move all the inhabitants over.

 

[Velodog2]

Finally just used a standard piece of aluminum window screen frame and plastic corner inserts. It looks neat and clean. Aluminum isn't the worst choice but not the best either. Will see if there is any corrosion. I could paint it with epoxy I suppose.

 

[b-rolla]

looks clean! great job. i love rimless which is why i've never had any wrasses. might have to try this out. thanks for the idea!

 

[Velodog2]

Looking back on this thread it appears Marksreef did the same thing, and I just saw another thread started about the same solution. I guess we will see how the aluminum stands up over time, but otherwise it is super simple, cheap, easy, and good looking.

 

[booth2010]

Jimbo how has the top held up? I am looking to do a build like this and wanted to hear hows its doing. Its kind of funny I am doing a build now where this will come in handy and I remembered reading it over a year ealier so I had to find it. Glad I did!

 

[Jimbo662]

The original screen ended up coming apart at one of the corners. I rebuilt it and added corner braces at every corner so it wouldn't twist. I can't remember if I took any pictures but will check when I get home. The new version was much stronger. I also went back after everything dried and squirted more of the solution on each seam.

on the original version I built it so that it hung on the inside of the tank. The new version sat on top.

 

[booth2010]

Awe man that was my favorite part of the top that it sat inside the tank, do you think if you doubled up on the rods width that it would have worked better?

 

[Jimbo662]

Here's the pick of the new one. I think it would have worked just as well on the inside...it was just preference.

 

[booth2010]

Looks good, when I am finally able to build my tank I will probably go with a design like that, the rods are a lot cheaper than I thought they were gonna be.

 

[Jimbo662]

yeah, it's relativley inexpensive. I would suggest practicing on a few pieces to get the hang of it.

 

[booth2010]

Is the new design built with 1/4" as well?

 

[Jimbo662]

Is the new design built with 1/4" as well?

Yes it is.

 

[atlorange]

Im very happy with the one I just made for my Cadlights 68. I used 1/2x1/4" acrylic. No bowing at all.