DIY EGGCRATE DIVIDER

[richardhmc]

Hey MFK

Im trying to make dividers for my 55 and 30 gallon and after many times searching home depot.. I found it! it was in a spot that I would have never looked because it was all the way in the back, hidden behind signs and a bunch of wierd stuff..

I plan on using these suction cups that supposedly fit eggcrates.. coming from
http://www.flowerhornrus.com/store.htm

However.. I noticed that the fitting for those suctions cups wear the ends are thin are only on the outside parts of the eggcrate.
(This is sort of difficult for me to explain)

On the outside of the eggcrate, the edges are thinner than the rest. However, I want to cut it into pieces to fit my tank.

So How can I cut the edges to fit?

 

[richardhmc]

anyone?

 

[aquatic_wonders]

what I did before was heated it up thru a flame just a little to fit it to the clamp but not to much but my only comment is eggcrate dividers hurt the fish and do some damage to them the edges are kinda sharp.

 

[Dr Joe]

Router or grinder, no real easy way.

 

[doug67]

what I did before was heated it up thru a flame just a little to fit it to the clamp but not to much but my only comment is eggcrate dividers hurt the fish and do some damage to them the edges are kinda sharp.

Never really thought of that.What's the best material to use for a divider,and still keep water flow.

 

[richardhmc]

Well.. I cut the piece using like a pair of pliers.. cut the squares through and tried to even it out...

However.. I tried using nylon wire ties by tieing the top of the divider to the support at the top of the tank..

It sort of works but it has no balance or resistance on the bottom so its pretty much unstable.

Some guy at the homedepot said I needed to find a router piece and the guy at the tools section said they had none for plastic.. whats a router? or grinder?

 

[xxblwn408]

I just ziptie the top and butt up a driftwood or 2 on each side and call it a day.

You could also make a pvc frame to support the eggcrate.

 

[edtriou]

If you have access to a Tablesaw, using an 80+ tooth blade, cuts egg crate very well. If not, most wood/plastic shops will make a cut for you as well.

It cuts so well that you can use it cut off the outer section (the one with the too small edging). Then lower the blade to just be high enough to remove some height of the outer rim and make a one-blade width pass (or as deep as the rail in the suction cup holder). Assuming I've understood your problem correctly.

This is the same (poor-mans) technique I use in making a tenon (in a mortise-tenon wood joint), at least for those without a mortising machine or a router table/jig.

Ed

 

[Liam]

from what i see you can't fit the egg crate into the holder thingo... Just sand it down with a sanding block, couldn't be easier. I've done it many a time with timber.

 

[aquatic_wonders]

Never really thought of that.What's the best material to use for a divider,and still keep water flow.

plexiglass and drill some holes.