DIY Screen Top

• Mar 10, 2011

• #1

AmberSunrise

Reef enthusiast

1 White Screen Kit comes with aluminum frame pieces, 4 corners and spline
1 spline roller
1 roll of light gray or white screen material
Jigsaw
Box cutter

Spline holds the screen in the frame

Box cutter and spline roller

Roll of screen and piece of frame

Corners to hold the frame together

Frame cut to size using a jigsaw after measuring for the tank
DONT FORGET TO INCLUDE THE SIZES OF THE CORNERS IN THE MEASUREMENT BEFORE CUTTING!!!

Frame with corners inserted

After the frame is put together use the roller to push the screen into the frame

After you roll the screen into the frame using the roller, cut off excess screen with the box cutter

 

• Mar 10, 2011

• #2

little_fish

Moderator

Be sure you arent using window or door screening. That stuff is usually mold resistant which can leak nasty chemicals into the tank.

Looks great though, really clean

 

• Mar 11, 2011

• #3

14 gallon nanocube

Reefing newb

+1 little_fish
some of the salt suppliers sell a really nice white screen material.I think i got some from bulk reef supply or marine depot

 

• Mar 11, 2011

• #4

Reefrookie

Not so new anymore!

I used 1/4" clear and it worked great

 

• Mar 14, 2011

• #5

Piggy

Reef enthusiast

Such a great idea. Where do you get the frame from Hone Depot or Lowes?

 

• Mar 14, 2011

• #6

AmberSunrise

Reef enthusiast

Piggy said:

Such a great idea. Where do you get the frame from Hone Depot or Lowes?

Click to expand...

I got the whole kit at home depot in the screen door section. It included the frame, spline and corners for around $10.

I know some recommend using other kind of screen but I used regular screen for doors and patios in the lightest gray I could find because they didnt have anything else. I have had it on my tank for over a month with no issues its even fallin in the water more than once when I was cleaning.

 

• Mar 18, 2011

• #7

Piggy

Reef enthusiast

One more question. What about the powerhead cords? Do you cut a hole in the screen?

 

• Mar 18, 2011

• #8

ErinCahir

Sausage Wrangler

Yep! This is my next project. I'm pretty excited about it.

 

• Mar 18, 2011

• #9

Alexander

Reef enthusiast

way to go bob vila! an alternative to screen is bird netting that you put on your trees to keep birds out. allows for a bit more light and guaranteed no chemicals. it can be found at home depot or lowes

 

• Mar 18, 2011

• #10

AmberSunrise

Reef enthusiast

Piggy said:

One more question. What about the powerhead cords? Do you cut a hole in the screen?

Click to expand...

I personally made 2 separate rectangle pieces a smaller one in the front to use for easy access to feed and a larger one in the back that only comes off when I do maintenance.

I made the one in the back about 2 inches shorter than the actual edge of the tank to allow the waterflow from my filter and room for the cords.

I then super glued a plastic flap along the back side of the screen lid to prevent any jumpers.