Easiest, cleanest DIY aquarium lid!

[Bitcoin Reefer]

I’d been looking for a way to make better lid for long time. I had made some out of egg crate from Home Depot, (like $20 per 2’x4) but smaller fish jumped through or got stuck in the holes because they’re too big and it didn’t seal holes around pump returns.

I ended up taking the egg crate, cutting out the center leaving only a frame, and zip tieing some 1/4” hole mesh I found on amazon. Super simple, and it can go around things like returns or whatever else you need to shape it to.

The reason I cut out the center of the egg crate instead of just putting the mesh over the egg crate is because the egg crate I noticed blocked small amount of light. I could tell light was slightly dimmer on my corals. The mesh blocks no light.

I’m SO happy with it! I was trying all kinds of ways to attach mesh to tank with hooks etc, then realized I could just repurpose the egg crate as frames for the mesh!

 

[TX_REEF]

Awesome idea, thank you for sharing!

 

[Bitcoin Reefer]

Awesome idea, thank you for sharing!

Thanks!!!

 

[doubleshot00]

I did this in the beginning then find the egg crate is so brittle and breaks easily. I bought the brs kit. Well worth the cost

 

[Bitcoin Reefer]

Oh cool didn't know they make one.
Does the egg crate become more brittle over time? The egg crate I have is plenty sturdy enough for me.

 

[Rjukan]

I dig it! Well done.

 

[shakacuz]

efficient! i like it

 

[cilyjr]

Does the egg crate become more brittle over time?

Overtime under metal halides. It will. Probably the heat that does it?

 

[cilyjr]

Can I ask why you didn't use window screen frame? Like this?

 

[Pistondog]

Home depot sells diy screen frame kits.
Less than brs, if you already have the mesh.

 

[Bitcoin Reefer]

Can I ask why you didn't use window screen frame? Like this?

Well I already had the egg crate, but even if I didn't, the kits to make screens with those frames seemed intimidating to me. I need special tools? Requires cutting metal with some kind of saw? how do I get around return pumps? This requires no tools, just egg crate from home depot or maybe Amazon also? Mesh from amazon, tie wraps amazon. Can fit around any obstacle.

 

[cilyjr]

Well I already had the egg crate, but even if I didn't, the kits to make screens with those frames seemed intimidating to me. I need special tools? Requires cutting metal with some kind of saw? how do I get around return pumps? This requires no tools, just egg crate from home depot or maybe Amazon also? Mesh from amazon, tie wraps amazon. Can fit around any obstacle.

I suppose,
I find it easier and cleaner to cut aluminum framing. You can use a simple hacksaw when cutting it. When I have cut styrene Eggcrate, I have found that it doesn't line up with a cross-section and will often break while cutting.

But to each his own. It's good you found a solution that works for you.

 

[Bitcoin Reefer]

I suppose,
I find it easier and cleaner to cut aluminum framing. You can use a simple hacksaw when cutting it. When I have cut styrene Eggcrate, I have found that it doesn't line up with a cross-section and will often break while cutting.

But to each his own. It's good you found a solution that works for you.

Thanks for the info. Good to know it's not super hard, but how do you get around return pump etc?

 

[Bitcoin Reefer]

I suppose,
I find it easier and cleaner to cut aluminum framing. You can use a simple hacksaw when cutting it. When I have cut styrene Eggcrate, I have found that it doesn't line up with a cross-section and will often break while cutting.

But to each his own. It's good you found a solution that works for you.

Oh also I just use a pair of dykes/wire cutters.

 

[Bitcoin Reefer]

Funny enough I was just over on Humblefish and saw that in QT post I'm reading through they do what I do!!? What a random thing to come across when I just made this post LOL. Great minds think alike I guess.

https://humble.fish/community/index.php?threads/quarantine.2/

 

[fgjmessina22]

That’s an awesome idea! Thanks for sharing!

 

[ThatPhillyReefer]

can you please send the link to the mesh

 

[Reef Jedi]

If for some reason that doesn’t last. Maybe check out TopLids. Great build quality and they last a long time!