cover for aquarium

nrbelk · 03/31/2010, 06:44 PM

I lost my first fish today. Not because of bad water or anything but because it jumped out and died while I was at work. A clownfish even. Nothing should have been startling it because it and another clownfish are the only things in the tank.

I didn't want to cover my tank and wasn't planning on getting fish that are known to jump. But now I'm second guessing...

Are there any good solutions (fairly simple as I don't want the other fish I have to do the same thing) that prevents accidental jumps onto the floor? Maybe something I can pick up from home depot or lowes?

Perched Urchin · 03/31/2010, 06:47 PM

egg crate. Not the most beautiful addition to a tank, but cheap and about the most effective solution according to about everyone on this site!
Buy it at HD or Lowes someplace around the flourescent lighting area or in the building products (for some reason, my local Lowes has it with the drywall, etc.)

slosht · 03/31/2010, 06:54 PM

+1 for the egg crate it's called light difuser and for whatever reason my Lowes has it in the roofing section

jpruitt · 03/31/2010, 06:58 PM

+1 for egg crate

xmasia · 03/31/2010, 06:59 PM

you could also get screen frame comes in black and 1/4 or bigger screen.

megatsea · 03/31/2010, 07:01 PM

Will it decrease lighting much?

firebirdcrzy · 03/31/2010, 07:03 PM

Go to Lowes or homedepot where they sell window/door screen, buy the do it yourself screen frame kit and make a frame to fit over the opening of your tank. Instead of window screen go to garden section and buy the pond netting (blocks zero light and uv resistant) If you want a pic of the frame/netting I made for my tank PM me.
egg crate is a light defuser, therfore it reduces the spread of light.

thegrun · 03/31/2010, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by firebirdcrzy

Go to Lowes or homedepot where they sell window/door screen, buy the do it yourself screen frame kit and make a frame to fit over the opening of your tank. Instead of window screen go to garden section and buy the pond netting (blocks zero light and uv resistant) If you want a pic of the frame/netting I made for my tank PM me.
egg crate is a light defuser, therfore it reduces the spread of light.

+1, 1/4" bird nesting is ideal. There was a group buy of clear 1/4" bird netting here in SoCal on our local RC forum, but I just use the black which is much easier to find. It does not block out light like egg crate does.

firebirdcrzy · 04/01/2010, 07:06 AM

here are a few pics of what I am talking about. I had to make 2 frames for my 90gal as it has the center divider. And it is the 1/4" pond/bird netting sold at Lowes.

crvz · 04/01/2010, 09:26 AM

bird netting in a window screen frame for the win. I don't like egg crate because it does diffuse a lot of light, and sometimes fish still find their way out. A 1/4" netting should eliminate both of those downfalls.

03/31/2010, 06:44 PM	#1
nrbelk Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Idaho Falls, Idaho Posts: 935	cover for aquarium I lost my first fish today. Not because of bad water or anything but because it jumped out and died while I was at work. A clownfish even. Nothing should have been startling it because it and another clownfish are the only things in the tank. I didn't want to cover my tank and wasn't planning on getting fish that are known to jump. But now I'm second guessing... Are there any good solutions (fairly simple as I don't want the other fish I have to do the same thing) that prevents accidental jumps onto the floor? Maybe something I can pick up from home depot or lowes?

03/31/2010, 06:47 PM	#2
Perched Urchin Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Plain City, Ohio Posts: 390	egg crate. Not the most beautiful addition to a tank, but cheap and about the most effective solution according to about everyone on this site! Buy it at HD or Lowes someplace around the flourescent lighting area or in the building products (for some reason, my local Lowes has it with the drywall, etc.) __________________ Rob IM Nuvo 10 with Nanobox led 40G IM Nuvo Black build in process!

03/31/2010, 07:03 PM	#7
firebirdcrzy Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Northern Neck, Virginia Posts: 1,096	Go to Lowes or homedepot where they sell window/door screen, buy the do it yourself screen frame kit and make a frame to fit over the opening of your tank. Instead of window screen go to garden section and buy the pond netting (blocks zero light and uv resistant) If you want a pic of the frame/netting I made for my tank PM me. egg crate is a light defuser, therfore it reduces the spread of light. __________________ My Wife says I have a problem. I responded by saying "if I could seal all the doors and windows, I would fill the whole house with water". Title: The equipment hoarder Current Tank Info: 30gal Clarkii tank: 90 gal RR,2x400w plusrite 22k 2x110w vho super actinic, deltec APF600,Tunze Osmo,2xTunze 6105 on 7095,MRC CR2,Kalk reactor,JBJ artica 1/5hp chiller, ACIII, 24"x24"x12" (30gal) frag tank joined to main tank:

04/01/2010, 09:26 AM	#10
crvz Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: houstonia Posts: 7,989	bird netting in a window screen frame for the win. I don't like egg crate because it does diffuse a lot of light, and sometimes fish still find their way out. A 1/4" netting should eliminate both of those downfalls. __________________ -Chris- You don't win friends with salad. "Look! They're trying to learn for free!" ... "Use your phony guns as clubs!" Current Tank Info: rectangluar? wet?

03/31/2010, 06:54 PM	#3
slosht Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: clinton twp Posts: 175	+1 for the egg crate it's called light difuser and for whatever reason my Lowes has it in the roofing section

03/31/2010, 06:58 PM	#4
jpruitt Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Sherman TX Posts: 139	+1 for egg crate

03/31/2010, 06:59 PM	#5
xmasia Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Des Moines Posts: 85	you could also get screen frame comes in black and 1/4 or bigger screen.

03/31/2010, 07:01 PM	#6
megatsea Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Central Florida Posts: 422	Will it decrease lighting much?