Making a vertical tank vent from a window screen kit...

[wax32]

[I edited the subject of this thread, I figure it might be useful to someone in the future and would be easier to search with this title. I've tried to document the phases of this mini-project, to show how easy it is.]

Can someone tell me specifically what I need to buy at Lowes?

I want to make a vent that goes above the door for a 10 gallon vert and I heard you can buy a screen door kit or something?

I am not a very good DIYer normally so I need all the help I can get!

Also, I see people's vert pictures showing a small twist down latch that keeps the door from flopping open, where do I find those?

[asilsdorf]

I am in the proces of doing my first one now.

I don't know what Lowes has, I got my parts at Home Depot. They will be with the screen window parts.

You will need:
A piece of aluminum screen frame (comes in 8 foot lengths & various colors)
A pack of four corner pieces (they are plastic and they slip into the end of the frame pieces)
Screen spline (the tube that holds the screen in the frame channel)
A spline tool (used to force the spline and screen into the channel of the frame)
Some form of screen or fine mesh fabric. Fruitflies will go right through regular screen. Some people use a fine mesh fabric others use no-seeum mesh. I think you get the no-seeum from a camping supply place.

I will try and see if I can post pictures of the parts later tonight.

If Lowes has them, I think the latches will be in the hardware department with the oddball screws and small parts. I haven't looked for the latches yet.

[RGB]

Lowe's and HD should both also have kits that come with everything but the screen. You'll also need a hacksaw or a Dremel the cut the frame to length. The kit will come with directions, but it shoild be pretty self-explanatory when you see the parts.

[defaced]

The twist down latch is also in the same section as where you'll buy the other stuff. They're used to hold the frame of the screen in the door. There will be a pack of like 10 of them. I can't find a pic or their name, otherwise I'd post it.

[41714049]

If you need the screen to be fruit fly-proof then i suggest getting some mosquito netting from your local fabric store and using that instead of bug screen. The mosquito netting is much finer and will not allow ff's through. The stuff is just like the mosquito netting you would find being used for windows in camping tents.

Other than that just make it like you would any other screen door.

Make the frame using the plastic corner joints and the aluminum frame, place the net over it, install the spline (the rubber thing that holds the screen in - there is a tool for it - spline tool), and your done.

Using the spline tool to install should make it nice and tight.

[wax32]

Thanks guys! I will go by there tomorrow and see what I can see. At least now I have a clue what I am looking for.

If I find the kit, will it have a spline tool in it?

I think I have some mesh that will work, it's some kind of fine mesh I bought in a roll at HD, I used it inbetween two sections of glass and flies didn't seem to get out of it.

[41714049]

Some kits have the spline tool in them and some don't...

Make sure you check in the rolls of screen sometimes they jam the spline and spline tools in there!

[wax32]

LOL, wilco!

[zBrinks]

Get what you can at Wal-Mart, its almost half the price! Also, for FF proof screen, black wedding vil material from the crafts section works great, and is $1 for a square yard!

[wax32]

Too late...


Is this mesh too big?



so it begins.