making a top using a screen insted of a eggcrate

chris31 · 09/01/2007, 05:06 AM

does any1 know how to use some thing like a screen or something else along those lines i have seen threads about it but i cant find them anymore so if some1 know how to do this and if they could list the steps and materials needed that would be great

rdnyva · 09/01/2007, 05:55 AM

I have my sump/fuge out in the garage. Yes I do I get bugs in it. I have covered the top of the sunp with eggcrate but the bugs can still get through. I am going to try to attach some mosquito netting to the eggcrate to pevent them from geting in. You might want to try this approach. Simple to do and cheap.

Candi · 09/01/2007, 06:54 AM

try searching when the search is working (usually early mornings) and you should find several threads with detailed photos... but basically it's SUPER EASY/CHEAP!

Goto Lowes/HD in the screening section, they sell the long pieces that you make a screen out of (I got brown metal as it blends well with the black trim), they also sell premade plastic corners that just slide into the edging so grab a pack of those as well. You'll use a hacksaw (at least I did) to cut the edging, it's not hard to do. They also sell a little bag with the rubber tubing (for lack of better term) that holds the screen in place, make sure you get the right size for your trim.

For screening what I wanted was that clear plastic stuff they make bags out of for kids toys, fruits, etc but I couldn't find it anywhere. Your next options are actual screening screen (looked like it would block to much light to me) the same style of plastic clear stuff but black, also at Lowes/HD out in the yard as it's used as netting to keep birds off stuff... I didn't want black even though it's thin. Lots of people recommended using a casting net cut to size, but at like $30 each I was to cheap to do that (although I might in the future)... so I went to the fabric store, now be careful here you don't want fabric wedding tulle, you want a plastic netting... it was over with the tulle. They don't have clear but I did buy white, I can't see that much if any difference in my lighting with it on or off.

Measure the inside rim of your tank where it will sit, make sure to allow for the corner pieces in your measuring and cut each of the 4 sides, snap in the corners to make your frame. Lay the screening of choice over it and push the tubing into the channel on the frame to lock it in place (you can buy a special tool in the screening section to do this, I recommend it although you could use a credit card or a knife or whatever)

In about 10 mins or under you have a great new screen that nothing is going to get out, your only issue will be if you have cords running out the top of your system (power heads etc) I bent the middle of the frame up in the back to allow them to fit out with the corners still down flat (where my overflow is) I assume you could cut a small hole in the screening but be careful the rest doesn't rip.

09/01/2007, 05:06 AM	#1
chris31 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: long island NY Posts: 928	making a top using a screen insted of a eggcrate does any1 know how to use some thing like a screen or something else along those lines i have seen threads about it but i cant find them anymore so if some1 know how to do this and if they could list the steps and materials needed that would be great

09/01/2007, 05:55 AM	#2
rdnyva Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Central Florida Posts: 1,106	I have my sump/fuge out in the garage. Yes I do I get bugs in it. I have covered the top of the sunp with eggcrate but the bugs can still get through. I am going to try to attach some mosquito netting to the eggcrate to pevent them from geting in. You might want to try this approach. Simple to do and cheap. __________________ 150 gal mixed reef Apex Lite 2 - MP40 QD Vertex Omega 180i Skimmer ReefBreeders Photon 50 V2

09/01/2007, 06:54 AM	#3
Candi Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Oakland County, MI Posts: 452	try searching when the search is working (usually early mornings) and you should find several threads with detailed photos... but basically it's SUPER EASY/CHEAP! Goto Lowes/HD in the screening section, they sell the long pieces that you make a screen out of (I got brown metal as it blends well with the black trim), they also sell premade plastic corners that just slide into the edging so grab a pack of those as well. You'll use a hacksaw (at least I did) to cut the edging, it's not hard to do. They also sell a little bag with the rubber tubing (for lack of better term) that holds the screen in place, make sure you get the right size for your trim. For screening what I wanted was that clear plastic stuff they make bags out of for kids toys, fruits, etc but I couldn't find it anywhere. Your next options are actual screening screen (looked like it would block to much light to me) the same style of plastic clear stuff but black, also at Lowes/HD out in the yard as it's used as netting to keep birds off stuff... I didn't want black even though it's thin. Lots of people recommended using a casting net cut to size, but at like $30 each I was to cheap to do that (although I might in the future)... so I went to the fabric store, now be careful here you don't want fabric wedding tulle, you want a plastic netting... it was over with the tulle. They don't have clear but I did buy white, I can't see that much if any difference in my lighting with it on or off. Measure the inside rim of your tank where it will sit, make sure to allow for the corner pieces in your measuring and cut each of the 4 sides, snap in the corners to make your frame. Lay the screening of choice over it and push the tubing into the channel on the frame to lock it in place (you can buy a special tool in the screening section to do this, I recommend it although you could use a credit card or a knife or whatever) In about 10 mins or under you have a great new screen that nothing is going to get out, your only issue will be if you have cords running out the top of your system (power heads etc) I bent the middle of the frame up in the back to allow them to fit out with the corners still down flat (where my overflow is) I assume you could cut a small hole in the screening but be careful the rest doesn't rip.