Large tank cover ideas (8'x3')

[Spar]

Anyone have a tank cover idea that is easy and doesn't break down fast under lights? My tank is 8'x3' on top. I currently use that BRS transparent mesh across 4 sections. My problem with the BRS mesh is that it breaks down relatively fast under my MH's... becomes brittle and rips apart easy. Would be nice to have something that lasts longer but still allows for light reaching coral just fine.

 

[WVNed]

I just put up BRS the mesh. 8x2 with metal halide lighting.
Thanks for cheering me up.

How often will I have to replace it? If I could get a year or so out of it, it would be probably be okay.
I was using egg crate and it shrank and started falling in the tank.

 

[Ratherbeflyen]

I made my own lids from 1 1/2" strips of 6mm acrylic and mosquito netting from a local fabric store.

1/8" bit in the router with a custom (scrap) guide to cut a slot for the screen spine.

I had leftover acrylic from another project, so the total cost was less than $5 and one afternoon.

 

[Spar]

I just put up BRS the mesh. 8x2 with metal halide lighting.
Thanks for cheering me up.

How often will I have to replace it? If I could get a year or so out of it, it would be probably be okay.
I was using egg crate and it shrank and started falling in the tank.

Really isn’t that bad. It becomes brittle by 6 months, can generally get away with it for 9-12 months before little plastic pieces start noticeably falling into the water. Just isn’t a ton of fun re meshing it!

 

[Spar]

I made my own lids from 1 1/2" strips of 6mm acrylic and mosquito netting from a local fabric store.

1/8" bit in the router with a custom (scrap) guide to cut a slot for the screen spine.

I had leftover acrylic from another project, so the total cost was less than $5 and one afternoon.

great idea! Doesn’t look like you would get in shadowing from that, right?

 

[Ratherbeflyen]

No shadows visible to the eye and certainly way less than anything that is not clear.