Reef Aquarium Cover / Spectrum

[ekean45]

What can you use to cover a reef aquarium without filtering out any light spectrum or losing the shimmering effect provided by LED's and T8's?

Unfortunately, a canopy is not an option for my setup. I currently use egg crating but I've still lost a jumper or two that have managed to get through the holes.

Thanks.

 

[coralbandit]

Try a DIY screen top...
DIY Aquarium Screen Tops - Bulk Reef Supply
Covers stop gas exchange will can cause dropping pH...

 

[ekean45]

thanks!

 

[coralbandit]

Good luck!

 

[Barliman]

Try a DIY screen top...
DIY Aquarium Screen Tops - Bulk Reef Supply
Covers stop gas exchange will can cause dropping pH...

Endorsed. I bought the screen from BRS and built one of these myself for my freshwater planted tank so plenty of light gets through to the plants. I used the 1/4" netting. There are several good videos on YouTube on how to put these together.

 

[ekean45]

Thanks - unfortunately, I also don't have a sump so I have some equipment sticking out of the top. I'll have to make a few turns and twists but at least I'll prevent some fish from jumping out. And it's destined that they will find that small hole to jump through.

 

[melosu58]

I use some clear netting that is a whole lot thinner than eggcrate. Easy to tape around the tank.

 

[ekean45]

Thanks but the link to your tank is not working

 

[melosu58]

Clear Netting - Bulk Reef Supply

This is what I am talking about.

 

[melosu58]

It worked for me.

 

[ekean45]

That works! Thanks!

 

[54seaweed]

It worked for me.

it appears the photo server is down for maintenance
mines out too.

 

[54seaweed]

if I may , what type of fish made it through the egg crate? those holes are what about 3/8th's of a inch , that fish had to line up perfectly to get through , I must just be lucky I've been using egg crate for years never had a escapee , all my escapees are usually through my overflow to my sump, Ive seen people using bug netting like what they put over baby carriages . screening works too like said above.

 

[ekean45]

I have some pretty small fish like a cleaner wrasse, a bar goby, and a couple of others. Additionally, the egg crating that is currently covering the tank is starting to look pretty beat up. I finally have a pretty relaxed weekend and figured I may as well just change it out a bit.

 

[ekean45]

Sorry for the bad spelling but I'm using Siri right now.

 

[54seaweed]

that screen that was mentioned works great from what I hear , but like I said always used egg crate myself and must have been lucky as nothing ever jumped out. but they do love going for a ride in my overflow lol

 

[Barliman]

Clear Netting - Bulk Reef Supply

This is what I am talking about.

Yes, that's exactly what I used.