Yet another question...

X

Xzibit

AC Members
Aug 20, 2004
45
0
0
I know I'm sorry not trying to become a pain. My tank is done cycling now and I am trying to get it ready for fish. I have my cleaners comming tue or wed. and I would like to get prepared to put the two fish I have in quarentine in the tank. Still about a week or so to go. Anyway I built a canopy for my tank and it covers the front and 2 sides well but the back is a bit open due to overflow box and return lines I had to leave space. (I wish I would have paid extra for the drilled holes) other then the canopy I am running open top so that the glass does not interfere with the lighting. So what can I put over the tank that will cover it to keep the fish safe and will not prohibit light from getting thru? I have glass tops but they are pretty thick and I think they would stop too much light for when I eventually get corals. I have read about people placing egg crate over the top but I cant find anyplace selling what I have seen in pictures as egg crate. Is there another name for it or any other ideas on what I can use to keep all my eventual fish safely in the water. Thanks for you time and advice.


X

PS

Love these boards you have all been a great help.
 
I just bought the "egg crate" for my 200gal. tank, yesterday.

Go to home depot, to the ceiling tile section. Ask someone there where the grating is, that goes over florescent lighting in drop down ceilings.

They'll have it in either white, or silver and they'll sell it in 2' X 4' sheets. The HD that I went to didnt have black, like I wanted. From what I saw, stay away from the silver (it's like $20 a sheet)...and the white was only $9 a sheet.

Then, go home, measure your opening and cut away. You'll need a hacksaw or an electic sabre saw to cut it though. Dont try to use scissors or wire cutters (speaking from experiance...lol)...it'll just break the grids, not cut them.

Hopefully this helps. Good luck!
 
For my canopy I just got some lexan (a friend have a bunch of scrap) but I would think most types of plexiglass type materials would work well if you decide to go that way. You could probably find some really thin clear stuff that will cover the tank but shouldn't block out too much light. Maybe that would even let more light through than the eggcrate (depending on thickness of the eggcrate and glass). Can try to find some specifics if you are interested.

Rick
 
Depending on the type, eggcrate will reduce light less than glass or plexiglas, and can actually enhance it.

The little walls on the grate are narrower on one side than the other. Thin side goes up.
 
Sorry, not trying to hijack this thread... can eggcrate really enhance the light? If so wouldn't it be worth it to get silver eggcrate? I would think that mirror like coloring would reflect even more light than the plain white stuff.

Rick
 
Thanks for the info. I am going to run to home depot when I get paid and see what I can pick up. I was also going to ask if the Silvery stuff would be better if its reflective. Thanks again.
 
Dewey115 said:
Sorry, not trying to hijack this thread... can eggcrate really enhance the light? If so wouldn't it be worth it to get silver eggcrate? I would think that mirror like coloring would reflect even more light than the plain white stuff.

Rick
Click to expand...
To be honest, it's the silvery stuff that will increase the local light intensity. I don't know how well it will hold up in a salty environment, though. The regular plastic stuff reduces light only slightly. I'll need to find that article again.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom