Mesh for Tank Dividers

[Anaeflurane]

Hello All,

I will be building a new tank with dividers and I am requiring ideas on how to proceed. I will be using the mesh to allow water movement thru my tank as I will be dividing up a 4ft tank. I know how I will get the tank built but I need ideas on where to find a mesh with a small enough micron (950 is recommended) and where to get it at a reasonable price. I know metalmesh.com.au sells it but it is in 1.5m lengths and I do not need that much, plus it is around $180 for that amount.

I have looked at bunnings in the irrigation section and looked at the leaf guard stuff but at $16 for a 10 x 15cm piece of mesh is a bit steep. I saw a oil splatter guard at coles that might do the trick. It was 30cm in diameter and only $9, my main concern is if it is safe for the tank.

Open to all ideas!

 

[fishmosy]

Unfortunately if you want to go with stainless steel, it will be expensive. You may just have to bite the bullet and buy the larger roll of what you need. Maybe you could sell the extra that you don't use?

Depending on how you are planning on setting things up, It might be worth searching for a nylon mesh instead. It may be cheaper, but harder to find.

[2OFUS]

We just used some aquarium sponge

Cut a coke can in half and used that to make our pieces

Worked awesome

This way no rust

And you can clean when ever you wAnt

If something happens for example algae build up then it's so simple to just make another :)

[kizshrimp]

Great solution 2OFUS! Cutting the sponge rounds with a coke can is a top idea, thanks for sharing. 

 

 

mesh with a small enough micron (950 is recommended) 

 

What type of shrimp are you keeping Anaeflurane? 950 micron is virtually a 1mm hole which will let most types of baby shrimp through. If that size is acceptable for your needs then "midge mesh"/"small insect mesh" from the hardware chain is a cheap nylon mesh that's readily available. 

If you want something smaller like 500 micron (recommended) then it is costly. As fishmosy pointed out in his post on diy mesh strainers, Aquasonic sell 500 micron nylon mesh which your LFS can probably source from them. I haven't checked the price. Otherwise you'll probably have to buy it from overseas. I thought about organising a group buy but couldn't be bothered. If you do one I might be in though. 

[northboy]

Fly screen works well if you want to cover a big area, fiberglass stuff has no effect on water.

Not to bad to clean either

 

Bob

[kizshrimp]

Yeah flyscreen works great on my old strainers too, except that the sump is full of shrimp! So if you want your CRS mixed up with your CBS and TBs, or cherry colours all mixed up, then flyscreen is the way to go. The Midge screen has holes about half that size, but still bigger than 500 micron. 

[Anaeflurane]

Thank you for all the help chaps and after taking your advice Kiz I have decided to order some 500 micron mesh.

I managed to find some here in Adelaide, it is 1530mm x 1000mm and it is 500 micron 316 stainless steel woven mesh all for $74

I am grabbing it tomorrow and I will put it up when I have had a good test. I am a little concerned about water flow but it shouldn't be an issue I am told :)

2OFUS that is a fantastic idea and I would gone with that idea if my tank builder hadn't already cut out 20cm holes in the dividers. I can't believe how simple your technique is and I never would have thought about it

Bravo for the help all!

Edited March 17, 2015 by Anaeflurane

[Anaeflurane]

Well after a fun drive today (over an hour each way!) I picked up some 500 micron mesh 1530 x 1000mm and it was only $73 :)

The company was amazing and they also have a 3mm mesh that would be ideal for moss and it is cheap as also.

Here are some photos :)

 

 

Thanks for all the help peeps :)

Edited March 18, 2015 by Anaeflurane

[kizshrimp]

Awesome looks like one nice size strainer already :)

 

Great price too, good find! Too bad about the distance...