320g build/journey/experiment :-)

[capj64]

I second Sweet What is your mesh made of, fiberglass?

Edit: Also, what thinkness acrylic so that it doesn't want to bow with strips that narrow?

[Greenmaster]

Originally Posted by capj64

I second Sweet What is your mesh made of, fiberglass?

Edit: Also, what thinkness acrylic so that it doesn't want to bow with strips that narrow?

The mesh is made of some kind of plastic... it's clear. The acrylic is 1/4" thick by 1/2" wide... and there is a slight bow in it... partially because I don't have a big flat table that I can square everything up before clamping. If I was making a smaller lid then the 1/4" would have been perfect but if I had to start over I would have gone with some slightly thicker stuff.

[capj64]

If it's large enough to sit on your tank's frame, I guess some bow won't matter. I was trying to think of something that wouldn't bow but unless it's metal, give anything length, it will start to bow at some point.

[Greenmaster]

Originally Posted by capj64

If it's large enough to sit on your tank's frame, I guess some bow won't matter. I was trying to think of something that wouldn't bow but unless it's metal, give anything length, it will start to bow at some point.

Even metal will bow at some point... they just make the shapes of the metal to resist bowing. If I had gone 1" width it would have helped too but I didn't want that much more space being covered. There is about 1/4" bowing in the center of the 3' piece... and it's only bowing because I pulled it tight if I had let it be lose there would have been ripples in the mesh but the sides would have been strait. I could also put a brace in the middle but I don't care about the 1/4" gap on the sides.

[capj64]

Right it's just a net to keep the jumpers in.

[thincat]

Nice job. A note of caution. On my first netted, I made the mistake of having the lights to close to the netting and within 4 months time the netting got brittle and started to flake off.

[Silent Night]

nice project. looking forward to the end result.

[Greenmaster]

Originally Posted by thincat

Nice job. A note of caution. On my first netted, I made the mistake of having the lights to close to the netting and within 4 months time the netting got brittle and started to flake off.

Thanks for the note. I'm not sure if this netting would be okay under MH and I'm not sure I would use it if that's what I had. I'm hoping that it will be okay under my LED's... but the brittle sounds more like UV damage then heat so I will have to wait and see. Thanks again for your impute. You have lots of knowledge and experience, that is an asset and I am lucky to have you watching out for me

Originally Posted by Silent Night

nice project. looking forward to the end result.

Welcome aboard and welcome to AA. I hope that you don't mind waiting cause the "end result" is a long way off... but water should be in by the end of the summer

[capj64]

Yeah, but TC is also the one with all the weird livestock

[thincat]

It's the water...I use "test Strips"!!!

[Greenmaster]

thincat I went looking for a build thread of yours that documents your tank.... got tired of clicking all the threads you have started... could you toss me a link?

[harmy4993]

Ty. I was going to do the same basic mesh top. Now i know what to do. You rock.

[Greenmaster]

Originally Posted by harmy4993

Ty. I was going to do the same basic mesh top. Now i know what to do. You rock.

You may want to not clamp the actual acrylic... and really the screen window material is much easier.

[harmy4993]

Well i may not use arcirlic. I was thinking wood but not sure. I do have to work around pvc pipes and a hob skimmer. But now i have a general idea. Once i see something i can work with it and adapt it to my needs

[capj64]

Originally Posted by Greenmaster

You may want to not clamp the actual acrylic... and really the screen window material is much easier.

If you get screen mesh, make sure it's fiberglass. Aluminum will rust.

[thincat]

Originally Posted by Greenmaster

thincat I went looking for a build thread of yours that documents your tank.... got tired of clicking all the threads you have started... could you toss me a link?

I have never put up a build thread.

[Greenmaster]

Originally Posted by capj64

If you get screen mesh, make sure it's fiberglass. Aluminum will rust.

the plastic mesh with a plastic screen frame material.

[Greenmaster]

Originally Posted by thincat

I have never put up a build thread.

Where would I find some good FTS of your tank and some close-ups of your stock?

[Greenmaster]

FS: 1/4" Square Clear Polypropylene Mesh for Screen Tops. Reasonable price. I got the mesh from this guy.

[mdaniel2882]

Originally Posted by harmy4993

Well i may not use arcirlic. I was thinking wood but not sure. I do have to work around pvc pipes and a hob skimmer. But now i have a general idea. Once i see something i can work with it and adapt it to my needs

I used aluminum for the frame (home depot diy screen section) and instead of buying screen get bird netting and install it the same way you do the screen. I think I built the tops for my 55 for about $20.