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Which covers do you like???

If you wanted to get out of it cheaper I would just get a 20 gallon long fish tank and one of those screen lids you posted. This will be less expensive then buying a "Critter Tank" as it is way over priced compared to just a tank and lid. If you don't like the way the screen you posted opens I think they offer one that folds open the long way and another that is just a flat screen. Also, I would suggest using more then the two clip locks that is shown in the diagram. Us one on all four sides. If there is one possible way for a Cornsnake to get out of a viv it will find it. Hope this helped.
Jay :cool:
 
If you wanted to get out of it cheaper I would just get a 20 gallon long fish tank and one of those screen lids you posted. This will be less expensive then buying a "Critter Tank" as it is way over priced compared to just a tank and lid. If you don't like the way the screen you posted opens I think they offer one that folds open the long way and another that is just a flat screen. Also, I would suggest using more then the two clip locks that is shown in the diagram. Us one on all four sides. If there is one possible way for a Cornsnake to get out of a viv it will find it. Hope this helped.
Jay :cool:
I would buy a Zilla Critter Tank only if it was on sale. They are at my local Petco, so they are not much more than buying the cover and tank separately. My biggest concern is the whole locking thing. I like the way the Zilla sliding covers lock but they don't seam very sturdy. The plastic appears to be easily broken. So I like the hinged screen covers for their strength.

These look very good. Do you use 2 or 4 clips?
 
Zilla Critter Cage makes the sliding lockable covers that come with their tank. So I was wondering how the covers are? Does anyone like them?

I own three Critter Cages and have had no issues with their covers. I like the fact that you can run cords through the top (backside) and not interfere with the lid latching shut. I really like that the lid slides into place which prevents the snake from pushing it off of the tank. I priced tanks and separate covers and found only a modest price difference. I'd suggest shopping around if you still are interested in a Critter Cage. I paid $42.00 for a 20 gallon-long just last month. That was at a store called Animart. We have a PetSmart nearby and they wanted $69.00 for the same tank.

Best of luck in your decision!
 
I like critter cages because they lock in place, plus they have good customer service. I have the 10 gal. critter cage for one of my hatchlings and when the cover broke (i don't know how cus I only had the cage for a month) they replaced it for free when i contacted them.
 
babsfish - That's cool that Zilla has good customer service. That's definitely a plus. :crazy02:
 
I have one like the first link you posted. It works fine for my AZ Mtn King hatchling. I have noticed that there are two tiny holes at the back of the top. This is where the lid slides on and latches down. In the mold of the part attached to the tank itself there are little notches.

I would imagine a hatchling could fit through there. I just have it plugged with some paper that my guy can't push out.

I have others that are just the kind that slide over the top without any way to get in without taking the whole top off. I keep mine secure by putting a strip of weather stripping on the outside of the tank, low enough to where the sticky side can't be reached by the snake but high enough to make a snuggle fit. I haven't had any problems.

I'll take pics if you like. Just let me know.
 
I had one of these on my 10gal when Leila was still in it, it was nice because I didn't have to remove to whole cover to change her water or get her out for feeding, but I found that they don't fit too securely onto the tanks. I had to bend the sides in to get it to feel more secure, and even then I put some heavy books on the top! I just found they were way to easy to take off.
 
I own a 20g long which has a lid the slides into place and locks into place when you push it in all the way. No real "lock" required, yet there is a way to lock it if you wish (no idea why, only an intelligent animal can open it fromt he outside...). On my other tank I just use a screen lid I bought from the store, and some metal clips which lock it into place. Cheap yet effective.
 
I have seven of them- I wouldn't go with anything else for a glass tank. I'd hate having to put clips on. If you put the lid on correctly you can be absolutely sure it's staying put and so is the snake.
 
Whenever I'm able, I'm going to get the Zilla tank. Right now I'm using the 40 gal my daughter had for her bearded dragon and the lid just sits on top. I've got a couple of clips to lock it down but I don't feel that they're very secure. Since Shesha can't reach the top of the tank (although he tries his hardest!), I'm not worried about him pushing up on it, but I'm afraid, once he's able to reach, he'll be able to push the lid up - the clips will pop off at the slightest touch.
 
If you or someone in your home is "crafty" you can build your own. My favorite viv covers are the ones my husband made. He used a miter (spelling?) box and cut wooden stakes to fit snugly over the edges of the tank. He hot-glued nylon mesh screen inside this. The snug fit means they must be lifted straight up for removal, which should help prevent escapes. I'm a teacher and I have a tank in the classroom. I watch my students, of course, but these lids prevent a quick lift-and-drop-something-naughty-in-the-tank move! lol They also have the benefit of costing next to nothing, and being custom fitted to any size or shape of viv with straight sides.
 
Oh, for clarification, the stakes used to make the lids were just plain old garden variety tomato stakes... That's a terrible pun. Sorry!
 
Digging up old posts?

I would have replied to this along time ago, but i had responded to a different one, instead.


1) IF you have cats, then...The Critter cages are NOT sturdy enough. I would HIGHLY recommend, a METAL top, on a regular aquarium, as it will hold a heavy cat better, or a LANDING cat, too. Cat's LOVE high places, and especially tanks.
2.) ALL CLIPS are NOT created equally!! Some are just a crappy piece of spring steel shaped kind of like a large C (for lack of a better discription.). These are JUNK!! Petco, seems to have the BEST clips, and they are shaped like a 7 with a small ledge on both ends (again for lack of a better discription.). These hold GREAT.

Just my .02 your's may differ.
 
Yeah, I guess this thread did start a while ago. I just noticed it yesterday. Oh well. :crazy02:
 
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