Rimless tanks & screen tops

reefknight · 03/19/2012, 10:42 PM

Quick question for all the rimless tank owners out there; how do you keep a screen top on the aquarium?

Recently purchased a small 30gal rimless cube to be used primarily as a frag tank, but is separate from my main display. I'll probably end up placing a 8 Line wrasse in it as the wife really wants one. Really don't want to allow it to go carpet surfing so, I need a top. I have the standard materials that we all use to make the top, but don't know how you all keep it on the display.

Thoughts and suggestions are welcomed, so fire away!

shaginwagon13 · 03/19/2012, 10:59 PM

You could silicon 4 little slips of acrylic on the inside glass (one slips on each of the 4 walls) maybe 1/4 of an inch from the rim of the glass.

When you make the screen, make it so that it fits inside the tank. that was it can rest on the 4 little slips of acrylic on the inside and it has no chance of falling off.

reefknight · 03/20/2012, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shaginwagon13

You could silicon 4 little slips of acrylic on the inside glass (one slips on each of the 4 walls) maybe 1/4 of an inch from the rim of the glass.

When you make the screen, make it so that it fits inside the tank. that was it can rest on the 4 little slips of acrylic on the inside and it has no chance of falling off.

Not a bad idea, just hate to silicon anything to the glass.

shaginwagon13 · 03/20/2012, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reefknight

Not a bad idea, just hate to silicon anything to the glass.

I know what you mean, but if you wanted to remove them ever you could just use a razor blade and it would come right off and you wouldn't even know t was there.

Another idea is using clear fishing wire and string it up from the light fixture.

Defuse · 03/20/2012, 10:21 AM

I built a mesh top that sits flush with the top of the tank. You can get the clear mesh from BRS and the rest from Home Depot / Lowes.

Donkeykong · 03/20/2012, 10:49 AM

Doesnt that defeat the purpose of a rimless tank? I am about to embark on a 100gallon rimless and I am concerned about jumpers but adding a top makes having a rimless pointless. But mine will be my DT and this is just your frag tank so not as much aesthetic concern I guess.

shaginwagon13 · 03/20/2012, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Defuse

I built a mesh top that sits flush with the top of the tank. You can get the clear mesh from BRS and the rest from Home Depot / Lowes.

That's actually pretty creative, that looks really good.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donkeykong

Doesnt that defeat the purpose of a rimless tank? I am about to embark on a 100gallon rimless and I am concerned about jumpers but adding a top makes having a rimless pointless. But mine will be my DT and this is just your frag tank so not as much aesthetic concern I guess.

I agree, but you can make it so that the top of the screen is flush with the top level of the glass. If/when you have company over you could always remove it for the time being to really show the beauty of a rimless tank.

reefknight · 03/20/2012, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Defuse

I built a mesh top that sits flush with the top of the tank. You can get the clear mesh from BRS and the rest from Home Depot / Lowes.

That looks great! How did you construct the pieces that hold the screen?

I agree that adding a screen takes away from the beauty of it, but I'd hate to lose a jumper. The wife really wants one or two infamous jumpers and sometimes ya just have to make her happy.

(otherwise no one is happy)

03/19/2012, 10:42 PM	#1
reefknight Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Warner Robins, GA Posts: 626	Rimless tanks & screen tops Quick question for all the rimless tank owners out there; how do you keep a screen top on the aquarium? Recently purchased a small 30gal rimless cube to be used primarily as a frag tank, but is separate from my main display. I'll probably end up placing a 8 Line wrasse in it as the wife really wants one. Really don't want to allow it to go carpet surfing so, I need a top. I have the standard materials that we all use to make the top, but don't know how you all keep it on the display. Thoughts and suggestions are welcomed, so fire away! __________________ Bill Current Tank Info: DSA Neo 185gal - Coming Soon!

03/19/2012, 10:59 PM	#2
shaginwagon13 Chartered Accountant Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 2,219	You could silicon 4 little slips of acrylic on the inside glass (one slips on each of the 4 walls) maybe 1/4 of an inch from the rim of the glass. When you make the screen, make it so that it fits inside the tank. that was it can rest on the 4 little slips of acrylic on the inside and it has no chance of falling off. __________________ - Shaginwagon - Current Tank Info: 550 Gallon SPS Reef l 200 Gallon Sump l Skimmer: Vertex Alpha 250 l Return Pump: Reeflo Hammerhead l Tank Circulation: (2) Maxspect Gyre XF280 l Lighting: (3) 400w Halides & (3) AI Hydra 52 HD

03/20/2012, 10:21 AM	#5
Defuse Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 207	I built a mesh top that sits flush with the top of the tank. You can get the clear mesh from BRS and the rest from Home Depot / Lowes.

03/20/2012, 10:49 AM	#6
Donkeykong Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Grover Beach CA Posts: 1,847	Doesnt that defeat the purpose of a rimless tank? I am about to embark on a 100gallon rimless and I am concerned about jumpers but adding a top makes having a rimless pointless. But mine will be my DT and this is just your frag tank so not as much aesthetic concern I guess.