Spray Paint Eggcrate cover with Fish line weaved in?

[jar_lou]

Would it be safe to spray paint the white egg crate cover I have (also with fishing line tightly wove in to make the holes smaller)? I would of course let it dry for 24 hours at least. But I didnt know if I needed to worry about the saltwater reacting with the paint over time?

 

[t316]

My recommendation is NO. Eventually, that paint is going to flake off, and the only place for it to go is....in the tank. Just my opinion though....

 

[gio28]

im not sure about the spray paint, but im guessing that the eggcrate is for a lid. it diffuses light so unless you have fish only i wouldnt use eggcrate because your corals will be deprived of some light. try pond netting or bird netting...its definitely safe and it will not diffuse light.

 

[jackri]

+1 I totally agree and wouldn't risk polluting a tank.

 

[jar_lou]

ok, thanks for your input. And I have 500W of Metal Halide on the tank, along with 160w of Actinics. From what I have read, eggcrate actually lets more light through than glass lids. I am guessing because of the film that glass lids get after a little while of being used.
here is the link I was reading
Egg Crate vs. Glass Lid

 

[flower]

Originally Posted by jar_lou
http:///forum/post/3119429
ok, I thanks for you input. And I have 500W of Metal Halide on the tank, along with 160w of Actinics. From what I have read, eggcrate actually lets more light through than glass lids. I am guessing because of the film that glass lids get after a little while of being used.
here is the link I as reading
Egg Crate vs. Glass Lid

TRUE egg crate is indeed better to use than a glass lid.
However, you need a piece of glass between the MH bulb and the water. Retrofit makes us have to put a piece of glass between the water and bulbs. However, full ready to use lights already have a piece of glass in place on the hood under the bulbs.
Even a tiny drop of water will burst a MH bulb. So it must stay absolutly dry. I burst a 2 day old bulb when I topped off once..it cost me $70.00 to replace the bulb. I learned my lesson.
A full glass lid with MH lighting, would create a greenhouse effect and really super heat the tank.

 

[gio28]

eggcrate probably does beat a glass lid in several ways; like gas exchange and light. netting would be better since it allows better gas exchange and lets 100% of the light through. if you go with either eggcrate it does beat a glass lid, but netting would be best.