Tops for Tanks - a DIY w/pics

[frogfreak]

I thought I'd do a post about how we do our lids and screen. We've been asked several times and it's hard to explain.

Pictures say a thousand words, so here we go...

The screen parts are avaliable at home depot. The screen itself, is called micro mesh and is avaliable at canadian tire. It has a purple wrapper on it.

Screen corners. These are easy but you can get the mitered corners as well.



You can cut the frame with a hacksaw. Go slow, it's only aluminum and is very soft.



Spline. Size is on the bag. To small of spline and the screen won't be tight and can slip out. To big and well, it won't fit the grove.



Screen installed. You'll need a splining tool. Cheap...



Trim the excess and your done.



Remove the tabs on the sides of the top with a saw and then snap them off at the bottom. Only on Exo's or zoo meds. I used 5mm glass for this tank. 22 3/4"s wide. It's plenty sturdy. Undersize the glass and screen a bit. I did 3/16" less on both. A longer tank would require thicker glass. Remember to predrill for your misting nozzle if needed. I almost forgot on this one. I would have been choked.



I tape the area off to be siliconed. Silicone is messy. Use a wet finger to get a nice look.



All done and the tape is removed while it's still wet.



Hope this helps some people out.

[frogfreak]

Found the micro mesh on-line!

http://www.amazon.com/Saint-Gobain-FCS7 ... B0022NH8FS

[RanaVenenosa]

Lowes and HomeDepot require special order on no seeums screen - pain in the.... I will use this link next time I stock up on mesh - Very helpful post Glenn!

[frogfreak]

Thanks Scott!

[Philsuma]

I like to have Lowes order the No-see-um screen....it's not a problem. It's more of a plastic or even fabric than a metal though, I think.

Is the mesh def metal / screen, Glenn ?

[RanaVenenosa]

hey Phil
fyi - I double checked, the stuff on Amazon is fiberglass mesh not metal. Yeah, I would never use metal.

-Scott

[frogfreak]

It's Fiberglass screen, Phil. Regular window screen, just a tighter weave.

[Philsuma]

gotcha, thanks.

[EntoCraig]

Awesome write up. I have been wondering. I found a guy that makes them for cheap so I generally buy them pre made but I might take a stab at making a few of my own, maybe for a vert 29 gallon.