Looking for alternatives to egg crate to cover tank...

I need to find a different means of covering/protecting my tank.  I'm dealing with some coloration issues, and while the chemical issues will be a different thread, I need to address some lighting concerns.
I need the tank to be covered to prevent jumpers, lost 3 fish in the last year, and to prevent my 3 year old toddler from floating toys/chew bones/etc. in the tank.
I would prefer to not use a glass cover and I'm not ready to build a canopy yet.  I'm using egg crate, chose black for the aesthetics, but I feel that it's preventing too much of the light from entering the tank. 
Unfortunately I have not been able to find a supplier of clear egg crate that isn't a solid sheet - I would certainly try clear egg crate if it exists!
Pics below - difference is more noticeable in person.  Left side is open and right side covered.
Thanks!
Eric

 

pond netting and window screen frame would do the trick but i would have a hard time getting the curve,maybe you could get done.

 

I have read others having success with this.  Link

 

Yea this is what I was going to recommend also. I talked to you a little bit about this when I was at your place the other week but I couldn't find this link. It could be a little tricky to get the bend on the front of your bowfront, but it can be done.

 

I use the pond netting with window screen frames. Easy to remove when you need to. The problem you may have is finding the small pond netting.

 

Why do you have to get it to curve? Why not just make it square and fill in the curved part in the front with a piece of clear acrylic or something? A little silicone should bond the acrylic to the frame good enough to hold it in place.

--AJ

 

menards sells nylon screeningand that will help with your lighting problem as well as the other issues

 

I used bird netting for mine and works great. Pretty easy thing to do to save money from those darn jumpers!

 

nice link on. page 3 it shows one being bent for a bow nice job too . i didnt think they would bend that well. if you wanna get real creative you could put in a hinged door so you dont have to remove the top for feedings and what not. seen a guy on nano-reef do that.

 

Posted By Shaun on 06/08/2010 04:03 PM
menards sells nylon screeningand that will help with your lighting problem as well as the other issues
Other issues?  You been talking to my shrink?
I found the netting @ Menards last night and ended up getting somethng similar @ Lowes for the same price ($5.97).  The netting from Menards is thinner and the openings are a 3/4" diamond pattern while the stuff from Lowes "appears' to be smaller square openings - I'll know tonight.
-Eric

 

Posted By adampottebaum on 06/08/2010 12:49 PM

Posted By slovan on 06/08/2010 12:41 PM

I have read others having success with this.  Link
Yea this is what I was going to recommend also. I talked to you a little bit about this when I was at your place the other week but I couldn't find this link. It could be a little tricky to get the bend on the front of your bowfront, but it can be done.
Makes a lot more sense now that I saw the tutorial Adam!
Only drawback is that the DIY screen kit is $18 ea...wow!
-Eric

 

Posted By slovan on 06/08/2010 12:41 PM

I have read others having success with this.  Link
Thanks!
Great link!
-Eric

 

can you not lower the lights? or perhaps cover the black eggcrate with foil (so more is reflected than absorbed/blocked)?
perhaps using what you have, cut out the area the light is above and then use screening?
maybe ditch the arms the lights sit on and make some diy mount to rest/clamp the lights to the top, then you could have your eggcrate as the front section that's still moveable?
/shrug hehe
nice pic tho /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default//emoticons/smile.gif

 

Posted By Kungpaoshizi on 06/09/2010 05:56 PM
perhaps using what you have, cut out the area the light is above and then use screening?
/shrug hehe
nice pic tho /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default//emoticons/smile.gif Nice!
This is what I'm planning - using the existing egg crate as a frame for the screening.
-Eric