cover

Intranick · 09-30-2007, 12:09 AM

so.. I heard its better to not have a glass cover on a reef, and I was curious if you could use some sort of chicken fencing, or a plastic fence similar, maybe with slightly smaller holes to cover an aquarium. would this interrupt the light at all?

goldenmean · 09-30-2007, 12:17 AM

Many use eggcrate. It can be found in the lighting dept of Home Depot or your LHS (Local hardware store)

Intranick · 09-30-2007, 12:24 AM

how much will that reduce the light would you think --estimated--?

goldenmean · 09-30-2007, 12:28 AM

It will reduce light a little bit.
but not very much.
I use it and I know many reefers do too.

its necessary if you have any fish that are jumpers.

goldenmean · 09-30-2007, 12:33 AM

I found this pic in the equipement gallery
Thanks DuhJeepster

AQTCJAK · 09-30-2007, 02:35 AM

Use the chrome version it dispurses light better

fishnu · 09-30-2007, 11:05 PM

Where can you find this? Home depot? I just did a search and couldn't find.

vdituri · 09-30-2007, 11:15 PM

I always find it back in the lighting department.
It's for commercial lighting uses.

BigAl07 · 10-01-2007, 08:10 AM

I use "Egg-crate" and the only real draw-back (light-wise) is that if you use some type of "directed" light you will have slightly shaded areas away from the light source. Like if you have one lightsource (similar to the picture above in goldenmean's example due to the diffuser being fairly thick edged you'll notice some slight shading in non-direct areas. I agree that the chromed (mirrored finish) will do a better job of dispersing light across the tank.

Allen

fishnu · 10-01-2007, 08:22 AM

Plus you can anchor live rock to the crate for that overhang look without FOFOF.

Fear of Falling on Fish.

tinken · 10-01-2007, 08:48 AM

the only thing about it prepare yourself fot a lot of refilling water.coz of evaporation.ill try to get the fiber glass instead.

BigAl07 · 10-01-2007, 09:10 AM

fishnu I have to disagree with that. the egg-crate used as a cover is really not a good anchor point for rock and decorations. It's not very stable (over time it distorts from weight) and if you need to lift it (cleaning, moving stuff etc) you mess up your anchor points/rock work. IMO it's not designed for any type of intermediate stress or weight. It's for light diffusion only and shouldn't be relied upon for any structural support.

Allen

fishnu · 10-01-2007, 10:19 AM

Thanks Allen. This was what I was planning on doing with some branch.

How would you support?

Intranick · 10-01-2007, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigAl07

fishnu I have to disagree with that. the egg-crate used as a cover is really not a good anchor point for rock and decorations. It's not very stable (over time it distorts from weight) and if you need to lift it (cleaning, moving stuff etc) you mess up your anchor points/rock work. IMO it's not designed for any type of intermediate stress or weight. It's for light diffusion only and shouldn't be relied upon for any structural support.

Allen

I only partially agree. I could be wrong, but I think he was trying to say use liverock to hold it down. I'm sure you could get 5-6 lbs hanging from it without sweating it. it is plastic, not butter.

BigAl07 · 10-01-2007, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Intranick

I only partially agree. I could be wrong, but I think he was trying to say use liverock to hold it down. I'm sure you could get 5-6 lbs hanging from it without sweating it. it is plastic, not butter.

Depending on how wide the tank is 5-6 pounds can cause it to bow enough to fall into the water. It's VERY flexible and will give a lot. I can take a 4' sheet (the size it comes in and very easily bend it into ALMOST a "C" shape. If you take it and cut it to the exact length, hang a weight from it and watch it bow down in no time at all you'll see it dipping enough to where it could easily fall into the water. Add potential heat from some lights and you now have BUTTER type plastic on your hands. I re-read his post and I am pretty sure he's talking about using the "Grid" to support his rock. Hence the comment

Quote:

live rock to the crate for that overhang look without FOFOF

and then he posted

Quote:

Thanks Allen. This was what I was planning on doing with some branch.

How would you support?

I think (and I could be wrong) he wanted to anchor the rock to the grid to create over hangs and "precarious" ledges that otherwise would jepoardize critters from falling rock.

09-30-2007, 12:09 AM	#1 (permalink)
Intranick Serpent Star Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mankato, MN Posts: 236 View Gallery Karma Komment	cover so.. I heard its better to not have a glass cover on a reef, and I was curious if you could use some sort of chicken fencing, or a plastic fence similar, maybe with slightly smaller holes to cover an aquarium. would this interrupt the light at all?

09-30-2007, 12:17 AM	#2 (permalink)
goldenmean Beautiful Katamari Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 4,063 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: cover Many use eggcrate. It can be found in the lighting dept of Home Depot or your LHS (Local hardware store) __________________ A 55g link in the GoldenChain My Second Quarantine Tank 2 (+) Year Retrospective of a 12g Nano Jeff What You Think Upon Grows... Have a Smooth Day!

09-30-2007, 12:24 AM	#3 (permalink)
Intranick Serpent Star Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mankato, MN Posts: 236 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: cover how much will that reduce the light would you think --estimated--?

09-30-2007, 12:28 AM	#4 (permalink)
goldenmean Beautiful Katamari Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 4,063 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: cover It will reduce light a little bit. but not very much. I use it and I know many reefers do too. its necessary if you have any fish that are jumpers. __________________ A 55g link in the GoldenChain My Second Quarantine Tank 2 (+) Year Retrospective of a 12g Nano Jeff What You Think Upon Grows... Have a Smooth Day!

09-30-2007, 12:33 AM	#5 (permalink)
goldenmean Beautiful Katamari Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 4,063 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: cover I found this pic in the equipement gallery Thanks DuhJeepster __________________ A 55g link in the GoldenChain My Second Quarantine Tank 2 (+) Year Retrospective of a 12g Nano Jeff What You Think Upon Grows... Have a Smooth Day!

09-30-2007, 02:35 AM	#6 (permalink)
AQTCJAK Tiger Shark Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 6,937 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: cover Use the chrome version it dispurses light better __________________ A Wiseman once said build a stage add a pole & they will dance - Jack 2007 www.aquaticaggression.com Projects & Chronicels http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...car-buffs.html http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...nts-tanks.html

09-30-2007, 11:05 PM	#7 (permalink)
fishnu Harlequin Tuskfish Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Naperville, IL Posts: 998 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: cover Where can you find this? Home depot? I just did a search and couldn't find. __________________ *I'd rather be good slow than bad fast.* Fishnu, Lord of Fishes Mantis Shrimp Club My Tank Thread The Wisdom of Fishnu - Mistakes on the path. 75 Gal Refurbished and Refinished Dutch Aquariums System Tank drilled with 2 1.5" bulkheads and 30 Gal Sump / Refugium Combo; 90 Lbs Fiji LR; ASM G2; OR6500 Pump; 2 Koralia Nanos; 2 150W HQI 2 96W Actinics; Gamma 25w UV; Kent Maxxima Hi S 60GPD RO/DI. Amphiprion percula (OMEN); Sphaeramia nematoptera (CODY); stenopus hispidus (PIMP THE SHRIMP); Selected hermits and snails. Euphyllia divisa, Euphyllia glabrescens, Pink Acanthastrea (Lord?), Zoas, selected mushrooms (Rhodactis, Actinodiscus, Sarcophyton ...). Looking for mermaid.

09-30-2007, 11:15 PM	#8 (permalink)
vdituri Excellent Guesser :D Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Sacramento California Posts: 5,725 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: cover I always find it back in the lighting department. It's for commercial lighting uses. __________________ Victor ----- People come into our lives for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person. When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

10-01-2007, 08:10 AM	#9 (permalink)
BigAl07 Reef Addict (hopeless) Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Waynesville, North Carolina Posts: 10,619 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: cover I use "Egg-crate" and the only real draw-back (light-wise) is that if you use some type of "directed" light you will have slightly shaded areas away from the light source. Like if you have one lightsource (similar to the picture above in goldenmean's example due to the diffuser being fairly thick edged you'll notice some slight shading in non-direct areas. I agree that the chromed (mirrored finish) will do a better job of dispersing light across the tank. Allen __________________ Allen Allen's testimonial . . ."Let Me help you help YOURSELF" (Click Here) with a SW set up there is one basic fundamental rule that we ALL should follow *When in doubt... wait it out. This means take it slow and let the tank "develop" and don't rush it. Time is your friend Ask me about how to increase your REEF budget without going without FOOD!!* Big Al's 10g Julie's (BigAl's Gal) 6g NanoCube BigAl's Slow 90g Tank Chronicle Allens OFFICE 12g Nano-Reef Reef Balls & Cakes Debt Free & Change your Family Tree!!

10-01-2007, 08:22 AM	#10 (permalink)
fishnu Harlequin Tuskfish Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Naperville, IL Posts: 998 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: cover Plus you can anchor live rock to the crate for that overhang look without FOFOF. Fear of Falling on Fish. __________________ *I'd rather be good slow than bad fast.* Fishnu, Lord of Fishes Mantis Shrimp Club My Tank Thread The Wisdom of Fishnu - Mistakes on the path. 75 Gal Refurbished and Refinished Dutch Aquariums System Tank drilled with 2 1.5" bulkheads and 30 Gal Sump / Refugium Combo; 90 Lbs Fiji LR; ASM G2; OR6500 Pump; 2 Koralia Nanos; 2 150W HQI 2 96W Actinics; Gamma 25w UV; Kent Maxxima Hi S 60GPD RO/DI. Amphiprion percula (OMEN); Sphaeramia nematoptera (CODY); stenopus hispidus (PIMP THE SHRIMP); Selected hermits and snails. Euphyllia divisa, Euphyllia glabrescens, Pink Acanthastrea (Lord?), Zoas, selected mushrooms (Rhodactis, Actinodiscus, Sarcophyton ...). Looking for mermaid.

10-01-2007, 08:48 AM	#11 (permalink)
tinken Bryozoan Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 51 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: cover the only thing about it prepare yourself fot a lot of refilling water.coz of evaporation.ill try to get the fiber glass instead.

10-01-2007, 09:10 AM	#12 (permalink)
BigAl07 Reef Addict (hopeless) Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Waynesville, North Carolina Posts: 10,619 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: cover fishnu I have to disagree with that. the egg-crate used as a cover is really not a good anchor point for rock and decorations. It's not very stable (over time it distorts from weight) and if you need to lift it (cleaning, moving stuff etc) you mess up your anchor points/rock work. IMO it's not designed for any type of intermediate stress or weight. It's for light diffusion only and shouldn't be relied upon for any structural support. Allen __________________ Allen Allen's testimonial . . ."Let Me help you help YOURSELF" (Click Here) with a SW set up there is one basic fundamental rule that we ALL should follow *When in doubt... wait it out. This means take it slow and let the tank "develop" and don't rush it. Time is your friend Ask me about how to increase your REEF budget without going without FOOD!!* Big Al's 10g Julie's (BigAl's Gal) 6g NanoCube BigAl's Slow 90g Tank Chronicle Allens OFFICE 12g Nano-Reef Reef Balls & Cakes Debt Free & Change your Family Tree!!

10-01-2007, 10:19 AM	#13 (permalink)
fishnu Harlequin Tuskfish Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Naperville, IL Posts: 998 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: cover Thanks Allen. This was what I was planning on doing with some branch. How would you support? __________________ *I'd rather be good slow than bad fast.* Fishnu, Lord of Fishes Mantis Shrimp Club My Tank Thread The Wisdom of Fishnu - Mistakes on the path. 75 Gal Refurbished and Refinished Dutch Aquariums System Tank drilled with 2 1.5" bulkheads and 30 Gal Sump / Refugium Combo; 90 Lbs Fiji LR; ASM G2; OR6500 Pump; 2 Koralia Nanos; 2 150W HQI 2 96W Actinics; Gamma 25w UV; Kent Maxxima Hi S 60GPD RO/DI. Amphiprion percula (OMEN); Sphaeramia nematoptera (CODY); stenopus hispidus (PIMP THE SHRIMP); Selected hermits and snails. Euphyllia divisa, Euphyllia glabrescens, Pink Acanthastrea (Lord?), Zoas, selected mushrooms (Rhodactis, Actinodiscus, Sarcophyton ...). Looking for mermaid.

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