What to use as a low-profile tank cover?

[ralliart12]

Hi fellows,

I'm looking for something to cover a small tank to prevent any fishes inside from jumping out. It should have:

1. The holes need not be too fine-grained, as I'm looking at tetra-sized fishes
2. high light transmissivity to allow as much of the original amount of light as possible to reach my carpeting plants,
3. able to be cut into reasonably-custom shapes by scissors (or other easily available tools), as parts of my driftwood inside protrudes above the height of the tank,
4. & most importantly, have a very low profile when viewed from the front of the tank

The last reason is why I'm hesitant to use those white plastic meshes found at C328, it's side-profile is too thick/"high". Otherwise I think it fulfils the 2nd reason decently. Furthermore, I do not think it's that easy to cut too. Any recommendation?

N.B. I think fabric meshes fare too soft to lay on top of the tank's glass edges without center support.

[felix_fx2]

You can use garden mesh. There are few sizes you can buy but small quantity maybe hard to get.

It's for the betta tank?

[vinz]

Try the mesh shop at Blk 30 Kelantan Road. Lots of people used to buy fine mesh there to tie moss, etc. I bought large gauge mesh from there to cover my Arowana tank. They have metal mesh of all sizes and gauges. Remember to ask for stainless steel though.

It's been quite a few years since I was there, so I am not sure if it still there.

[ralliart12]

You can use garden mesh. There are few sizes you can buy but small quantity maybe hard to get...

Hmm...is garden mesh rigid or soft? The holes not too dense right, i.e. block light? Maybe I can find it in DAISO.

...It's for the betta tank?

Nope, it is intended for a secondary project (housing clown killie, pearl danio & dwarf corydoras). I may, may house the betta in he same tank though, but I believe even though the betta may not touch the small fishes, it may consume any potential fries. So maybe I will transfer the betta to a very large external satellite breeding box in the future.

Try the mesh shop at Blk 30 Kelantan Road. Lots of people used to buy fine mesh there to tie moss, etc. I bought large gauge mesh from there to cover my Arowana tank. They have metal mesh of all sizes and gauges. Remember to ask for stainless steel though.

It's been quite a few years since I was there, so I am not sure if it still there.

Large-gauge stainless steel mesh sounds like what I want, but Kelatan Road appears to be very far from my housing area.

[felix_fx2]

It's towards soft type. There is a variety of sizes and it's not expensive to me.

I purchased SS mesh from the hardware shop next to the block I'm staying. Larger then those SS mesh found in lfs. But kelantan lane is quite good with pricing compared to "next door" hardware shops in these mesh.

You want me take a picture of the plastic mesh?

[ralliart12]

...You want me take a picture of the plastic mesh?

Thanks felix, but it is al right, I'll probably find something from DAISO.

[ralliart12]

Anywhere else to purchase stainless steel meshes besides Kelatan area? The ones in Daiso are all composed of gridiron which, according to the packaging, do rust.

[felix_fx2]

normal hardware shop should sell SS mesh, i bought from the neighborhood hardware shop.
But they sold me in per feet and were having larger "grid squares". Hope this helps

Btw, SS mesh do rust (some not all depend on grade). Can search google using "stainless steel rusting", it will tell you more but solely for infomation as even i have not much clue to tell via out naked eye.

[ralliart12]

normal hardware shop should sell SS mesh, i bought from the neighborhood hardware shop.
But they sold me in per feet and were having larger "grid squares". Hope this helps

Btw, SS mesh do rust (some not all depend on grade). Can search google using "stainless steel rusting", it will tell you more but solely for infomation as even i have not much clue to tell via out naked eye.

Thanks, I shall try out the neighbourhood hardware shops. But if the grid squares are too large, it kind of defeat my purpose of using them.

[felix_fx2]

Thanks, I shall try out the neighbourhood hardware shops. But if the grid squares are too large, it kind of defeat my purpose of using them.

Their around the size of BBQ SS netting. Should have a few types but not a large variety, kelantan still more range..