Aquarium Cover

the_bandit

the_bandit

Member
So, I had to remove my lid that I was using for my light strip to put in my new T5 lights and now I have an open aquarium. Im looking to purchase some fish that are jumpers and I will need a cover. The only thing I have been able to find that could possibly work would be egg crate type material that you use to store coral frags on.
Im open to suggestions. I have a HOB Filter and Skimmer with cords coming out of the water connected to powerheads. Using the egg crate stuff, I can just cut out small slots for cords and such.
I havent read much about plastic or glass covers.
So anyone have any ideas? Im really in need of some help
 
jemshores

jemshores

Member
How about a piece of plexi-glass cut to size, with holes (lots) drilled in it and notches for your cords? That would keep your jumpers in and cut down on evaporation. Any glass shop could do that for ya!
 
jemshores

jemshores

Member
Originally Posted by The_Bandit
http:///forum/post/3041823
And Plexi-glass doesnt have any nasty side effects?
No never had any issues with it.I had a 50G hex with my lights on legs and needed something to cover the tank and it worked beautifully. Plus its clear and easy to wipe off (vingar and water). Make a precise template of your tank (so it fits right in there on the lip) and drill holes-like a strainer and notches for your equipment and I'm sure it will work! Maybe rig up a little handle to pick it up when necessary!
 
the_bandit

the_bandit

Member
Awesome I will deffinetly look into doing that. Could you send me some pics of how yours looks? Im going to have a tough time because the screw type nails for my T5 lights make it an interesting project to take.
 
spanko

spanko

Active Member

There is also a corner connector made from vinyl that I cannot find a picture of but look like these metal ones.

And of course the 3/8" pond netting.

I used 3/8 inch and double layered it. I had it single layered but my first yellow Head Jawfish jumped right through it. So now instead of one layer of a 3/8 inch square opening in the net i have the two layers crossed so that the square is a box with a X in it. You can see what I mean in the picture.

You can order 1/4" pond netting on line, however I did not only because I did not know if the fish would still be able to launch itself through the square hole. I was really surprised one day when my wife had my 2 year old granddaughter call me at work and tell me that the new jawfish was all dried up on the carpet!
all the supplies were from Lowe's except the pond net. They may even have that. Wish you were closer I would give you some. You could make a lot of covers from one package.
Don't have a full pic of mine but here is one another reefer made from the plans I gave him.

If you have a square tank it will be much easier because we had to trim for the bow front of the 29 biocube.
 
scsinet

scsinet

Active Member
Now THIS is cool.

I use eggcrate on my 24 nano (got an open top with an HQI pendant). It cuts down significantly on the light. I've been thinking about using netting like this but couldn't come up with a way to retain it.
Nice work!
 
the_bandit

the_bandit

Member
So I'll take egg crate outta the options. Im leaning more towards the plexi-glass side because it cuts down on evaporation and I NeeD that. I lose about a gallon a day. Nothing like good ol' Arizona heat.
 
scsinet

scsinet

Active Member
Bear in mind that evaporation helps keep your tank cool. If you remove evaporation, you may have heat issues.
 
salt210

salt210

Active Member
it would have to be a lot of holes in it.
I too am about to do the netting cover. except I am going to build the frame from wood. I am going to try and start it tomorrow or today what ever it will be when I wake up.
 
scsinet

scsinet

Active Member
Originally Posted by The_Bandit
http:///forum/post/3041922
If I drilled some holes into the plexi glass would that help keep it cool and keep evaporation somewhat away?
What I am saying is that evaporation is what causes the cooling of the tank. If you restrict evaporation, you restrict cooling. It may not be a problem for you, or maybe you feel that restricting your evaporation somewhat will be acceptable. That's fine. I'm just saying that it's the very act of evaporation that is helping your tank keep from overheating, especially in Arizona.
 
spanko

spanko

Active Member
Okay I had an acrylic lid on my tank all winter. It had about 50 5/16" holes in it. Worked well all winter. A couple of weeks ago when it started to warm up here I noticed a 1 degree rise in my tank temp. Took the acrylic off and put the pond netting on. Temp went back down the one degree. I also believe, although I have no evidence through PAR readings, that the 1/4" acrylic cut down on the light more than the netting does.
 
spanko

spanko

Active Member
No reduction here. In fact an increase because I had the acrylic top before. The netting is essentially an open top tank.
 
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