Ideas On How To Make A Mesh Lid

[littlest]

I have a betta tank that will be lit by a flourescent desk lamp. I want some sort of lid on the tank because bettas have a reputation for jumping, but the light needs to be able to shine through the lid if that makes sense. I don't want to spend much money as it's only a cheap little tank, so I am thinking of using some mesh of some sort, but can't think what.

The dimensions of the tank (from above) are 31cm x 18.5cm (10.25 inch x 7.25inch)

 

[BigC]

Use eggcrate.
http/tinyurl.com/2qf23e

and cut to size.
Regards
BigC

 

[Rooster]

Whats wrong with glass ?

 

[drewry]

id say bigc and rooster have good replys but id say glass

 

[littlest]

There's nothing to rest the glass on. The sides just go straight up (if that makes sense). So I am thinking some sort of lid I can place over the top. I don't want a piece of glass just placed on top, because I know me and my clumsy ways and it will just be asking for trouble.

 

[Gill]

Have you thought about using a Glass/Acrylic chopping board.
Most Department stores sell the glass ones and sometimes acylic. use them on my smaller tanks. Plus they have rubber pads to raise them up a little for ventilation.

 

[jazz298]

for my 33 gallon i cut a piece of acrylic and drilled holes for ventilation. Then i put 2 plastic handles for taking it off. I just sit the light on top temporarily until i can find something for the light.

 

[Tolak]

I use the cheap flouro light diffuser panels designed for suspended ceilings. They're around $3 for a 2'x4' panel. Cut them with a razor knife to any size or shape you need.

 

[jazz298]

where do you get something like that from

 

[Tolak]

Any home improvement outfit, such as Home Depot.

 

[jazz298]

are those the ones that are used in shops/garages and whatnot?

 

[Tolak]

They are used in suspended ceilings, most often found in offices, schools, and such. Here's a couple of quick pics of what one full sheet looks like over a 150 gallon tub;

Here's some cut to size on some 29's;

 

[jazz298]

ohhh okay, gotcha, I thought you were talking about light fixtures
Right now on my larger tank I have the original lids, I want to modify it, or just take it out all together and replace it, to put more lighting in for my plants. Just gotta figure out something cheapish and simple to rig up..still looking about for ideas (also something that looks half decent)

 

[tetraqueen]

If it doesn't have to be thick and you have a laminator, try putting two sheets together they make almost a thick sheet of see through material and you can join it together with a piece of paper and an iron.

I would also recommend that you put the holes in first as this will weake where you have to go if not be easier than putting a sharp object in it afterwards.

Very cheap see through and you can repeat as it gets dirty as after time it is a dust collector and I have found plastic does not dust or wash well.

 

[jazz298]

I have the cover under control, i will just use acrylic and drill holes, same as i explianed for my 33 gal.
It's just the lighting part Im trying to figure out, like how to suspend it so that it doesnt sit on the lid. Because it probably will be fairly heavy.
Also I've been looking around to figure out what to use for the fixture itself, without paying an arm and a leg at my only available pet store. The lights themselves will be expensive to get the wattage I need, it is for a 55 gal
I want to have more then a single bulb...I dont know if this is even making any sense?