54 gallon corner tank screen

JR Bodyman · Jul 21, 2020

No one makes a screen top for this tank that I could find other than a custom built.
I made my first one out of square acrylic rod. I cut it and heated it to fit the curve and glued it together. I laced the net to it with fishing line. It’s a little crude and cumbersome but it works.
I decided to make a second attempt after an idea came to me. I made a cardboard template that fits the top perfectly. I took it to Tap Plastics and they are cutting 2 3/4” wide pieces that fit the perimeter of my template. My plan is to sandwich the net between them with silicone. Should be a cleaner top. I get the pieces on Friday. I’ll post pics of the process and outcome.

Ron Reefman · Jul 21, 2020

Sounds like a good plan.

Is the plastic provider cutting and gluing the parts or are they cutting the frame from a single sheet of plastic?

JR Bodyman · Jul 21, 2020

Cutting from a single sheet. 3/4” wide perimeter.
I’ll upload photos of them on Friday.

Fernthereefer · Jul 21, 2020

Following. I have the same tank and want to build a mesh screen myself. Thanks for sharing.

highest_tides · Jul 21, 2020

Can you post any pictures of this? Thanks.

JR Bodyman · Jul 21, 2020

highest_tides said:
Can you post any pictures of this? Thanks.

Keep a look out on Friday. I'll be posting pics when I get the parts.

arowana718 · Jul 21, 2020

Keep us updated

Ron Reefman · Jul 22, 2020

I hope you'll do some posts of the making of the screen as well as the parts. I have a 36x30 tank and I want to build a screen as well. The custom made screens are crazy expensive, but they do look well made.

JR Bodyman · Jul 22, 2020

I first made a template out of poster board. Then transferred it to cardboard. Checked for fit, then took that to the plastic shop to make the parts.

Ron Reefman · Jul 23, 2020

Well, I had a file fish jump the tank last night and I've had a number of nerites climb out of the tank (but they have all survived hours on the floor). So I'm going to get my lights off the tank (they stand on legs now) and build a screen as well!

Keep up the show and tell. Thanks.

JR Bodyman · Jul 23, 2020

Using my template, I cut an oversized piece of the net/screen material and set it in the back of my truck in the sun to flatten the fold wrinkles. Frame parts should be ready tomorrow. I’ll keep posting pics and progress.

Ron Reefman · Jul 24, 2020

I'm thinking along the same line as you. I'll do a one piece acrylic or plastic or PVC frame that is just big enough to sit on the rim of the tank. And I can use scrap pieces to hole the mesh and they will be set so the fit just inside the rim of the tank.

Now all I have to do is get my rear end out of the chair in front of the TV I've been binge watching for the last few months! ;Hilarious;Hilarious;Hilarious;Hilarious

JR Bodyman · Jul 24, 2020

The first photo shows the parts with my cardboard template and the silicone to be used. I placed a small bead of silicone on each side then sandwiched the screen in between. I used small tie straps to hold together. See all photos.
I’ll wait until tomorrow to trim outer areas off, test fit, and glue the handles to the sides.
I will post more pics and final product tomorrow.