Building a lid for a 180

So I need to make a lid for my 180 so I can keep those pesky fish from jumping out of my tank. I was thinking about buying the stuff from bulk reef but all said and done, that was going to run me about 100$, not what I'm willing to invest in a lid.
I have screen that's got 1/4 inch squares in it, so that's good as far as the screen goes, but what would you guys use for the frame? Let's figure each square is 24"x24" but it's not because of the two braces. 
Either way, I want the three lids to be about 6 inches short, so I can make a separate lid for that 6" section that way I can pull those out to feed and what not, so I don't have to take the full lid off. You guys still with me here?
What are your suggestions, or what did you utilize on your tanks? Thanks for the input in advance!

 

just go to home depot/lowes and get the screen frame kits.

 

here is a good DIY and one of the cheapest places to get mesh screen

http://www.aquariumoverload.com/clearmeshtops.html

 

My 20 gallon is a bit smaller than your 180 is, but I used extruded aluminum and deer netting. I interwove a flat piece of aluminum through the net and screwed it together with an angle piece. It pulls the net together and kept it flat on the tank. Only cost me a couple bucks at the hardware store.

Don't know if it would work on a larger tank.

 

I've got a whole roll of 1/4 mess screen when I was making casting nets to throw on my fish tank when I as trying to catch a fish back in the day lol. So I've got that covered... Does menards have this as well you think?

 

Also a great idea. I might have to look into using it later. /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/smile.gif

 

i would assume so.

 

Thanks for the link Tholton, and thanks for the info Pete. I shall work on this, tomorrow hopefully. I'll have it done by the end of the week for sure!

 

now im interested in how your netting worked when trying to catch the fish...

 

LOL! I took a 2ft by 2ft chunk of that mesh and put 1 ounce sinkers on all 4 corners and then sinkers inbetween those. Basically dropped it on top of then and walllaaa, caught me a fish! It took a few more trys than that tho lol, but it worked! That was when I just had a fowlr tho, wouldn't do that if you have a bunch of corals hanging around lol

 

Where did you buy that stuff?

 

the screen frame and spline its the same stuff as the link i sent you. did menards not have it?