DIY mesh tank lid

[G Santana]

Like most folks I made a mesh lid from a window screen kit. It was serviceable but I forgot to include a door for feeding and my DIY nori holder clip had the screen not sitting flush.
I had seen a hobbyist make one out of acrylic here and decided to give it a shot.

I had some scrap acrylic lying around and decided to make a new one which included a door big enough to allow a feeding cup to enter, a notch for my power head cable and when the door is closed enough room to let my nori clip stay in the tank without propping the lid up.

I was going to "Try" to channel it so I could use the normal window screen spline which I have, but the I decided to go the quick route and used heavy duty velcro instead. This made it go much quicker.

Now I have to find a bag of acrylic hinges I know are somewhere in my basement and I will attach the door.

Hope you enjoyed

 

[lapin]

Nice

 

[Bruce60]

If you go to your local home improvement store and purchase a window screen kit (like this one: https://www.lowes.com/pd/Saint-Goba...te-Aluminum-Replacement-Screen-Kit/1002684060). They are inexpensive (cheaper then the same kits from a fish store), easy to build, and then provide a nice clean installation. Also makes it easy to create an opening in the top while keeping the screen material tight.

 

[jsker]

That is great work!! :)

I have to make one for my bow front.

 

[G Santana]

If you go to your local home improvement store and purchase a window screen kit (like this one: https://www.lowes.com/pd/Saint-Goba...te-Aluminum-Replacement-Screen-Kit/1002684060). They are inexpensive (cheaper then the same kits from a fish store), easy to build, and then provide a nice clean installation. Also makes it easy to create an opening in the top while keeping the screen material tight.

That's exactly what I am replacing, I did go to HD and build one but I neglected to add a door and in my haste, I did not make it a square as I should have.
This one is square and lays flat.
I just found my acrylic hinges and am about to add a door.
But thanks for the advice.

 

[Ratherbeflyen]

How does the velcro hold the screen? Is it sandwiched between two pieces of velcro?

 

[G Santana]

How does the velcro hold the screen? Is it sandwiched between two pieces of velcro?

Exactly, the velcro has really sticky tape on both sides, I taped it to the acrylic and sandwiched the mesh in between.
I have since added a few more pieces of velcro because the mesh had creases which prevented it from laying completely flat.

 

[G Santana]

Added the door, I found the acrylic hinges but decided to hold off on them. I did not like the gap it left between the door and frame. Added an acrylic pull and done

 

[McPuff]

Have you noticed any warping in the frame?

 

[G Santana]

Have you noticed any warping in the frame?

I just hung it up but I thought about it, if it warps, I'm going to get a sheet, cut it into strips and double it up, that would stop warping. But that's down the road.

 

[McPuff]

I just hung it up but I thought about it, if it warps, I'm going to get a sheet, cut it into strips and double it up, that would stop warping. But that's down the road.

Just curious as I built a smaller acrylic top and used similar techniques with 1/4" acrylic. I added some bracing to help reduce warping. It did help but there was still a slight bend. Looks good.