cheap tank hood to prevent escape

[allaboutfish]

i have a 30 gallon breeder i need some kind of top on to prevent jumping. i plan on using seram wrap for a little while but want something that will look better. the filter is an aquaclear 70 so it needs to be able to fit around this. im looking for it to be 20 dollars total or less with tax and everything.
thanks

 

[TL1000RSquid]

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store...ous-items/clear-1-4-screen-netting-7-x-3.html in conjunction with window screen framing from home depot. If you wanted to go cheap I suppose you could just use some sort of clips to hold it on.

 

[allaboutfish]

will that keep my killifish in the tank? could i just use a reptile screen hood? ive got 2 on other tanks. one for my adfs and one for my crayfish.

 

[TL1000RSquid]

Should be fine for keeping adult killies in, if they start jumping when tiny maybe not, reptile hoods are pretty fine mesh they will block some of the light out which may or may not matter to you, would have to do some modifications to the framing to make it fit around the filter too.

 

[jayla2251]

Maybe go to a local hardware store and get some plexiglass cut?

 

[KI4WLG]

Lowes should be able to cut a sheet of plexi for you into the size you need. You would probably have to do the cutting where it neds to fit around the filter or any other hoses/wires running into the tank, but that can be done very easily with a hacksaw and a blade for cutting metal. With the purchase of the hacksaw and the plexi it shouldn't run you more than $20.

 

[allaboutfish]

but wont plexi warp under the heat of the lights? im using cfls

 

[KI4WLG]

I'm honestly not sure. If that is a concern, then I would go the route of the reptile screen/window screen. Should be fairly easy to make it work around the filter. Another option you could look at is the Aqueon Versa-Top. ( http://www.aqueonproducts.com/products/aga-glass-tops-hinged-glass-tops.htm ) I have one on my 10g. It'd be more than the $20 budget you mentioned, but it's glass and it's hinged. Plus it has a plastic bit that acts as a filler on the back edge. I cut a chunk out of that for my 10g tank and it fits perfectly around my HOB filter. Not sure if the larger ones would have that but might be worth checking into.

 

[allaboutfish]

i looked online at petco and didnt see one for a 40 gallon. i didnt see screens for a 40 either.

 

[TL1000RSquid]

If your petco has a large fish section they may carry the versa's in your size. I think Dr Foster's sells them online.