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Turning a fish tank into a vivarium HELP

C

Chrome

New member
I love all glass tanks, I really dislike wooden ones as i think they can look tacky and cheap. So, im going for glass vivariums but I find them very expensive... however fish tanks are not it seems! I have a problem though... I need some good lids for them! I have found mesh and metal ones, but they just sit ontop and could get pushed off.... is there anyway of making your own lids? Or can anyone link me to some good lids?

I have Loki in a perfecto tank, but the mesh sliding lid has broken and she has escaped twice, but has been found luckly.... it stresses me out so much I need a new lid! Help!

Also interested because im upgrading my leopard gecko soon and if I can find a cheap way of doing this.... maybe I will get a few more snakes...
 
you could try ebay

i found a company on there that sells decent viv lids. I bought one a while back for a 2 foot by one foot fish tank and it works well for me.
 
TWGarland said:
you could try ebay

i found a company on there that sells decent viv lids. I bought one a while back for a 2 foot by one foot fish tank and it works well for me.
Click to expand...


have found some on ebay... mesh ones and metal ones... but after emailing the sellers apparently the lids just sit ontop and nothing really locks them tight on!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Reptile-Viv-l...oryZ1285QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Vivarium-Lid-...oryZ1285QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

these are the types I have found.... im looking for a 36x12 though!
 
I am not certain how the rim of your tank looks, but if you post a pic, I am certain you will receive more accurate suggestions.

If it is a standard All Glass type/style tank, and the mesh top you are describing is what I am thinking of (http://www.petco.com/product/4357/Four-Paws-Metal-Tank-Tops.aspx), then all you need are these inexpensive clips and you should be set. Personally, I use three, but for additional security four would be ideal.


http://www.petco.com/product/4353/Four-Paws-Tank-Top-Screen-Cover-Security-Clips.aspx

Hope that helps...
 
can you post some pics of the metal clips being used on a tank so I can see what they look like please?

this is the tank im using
Photo92.jpg
 
logic said:
I am not certain how the rim of your tank looks, but if you post a pic, I am certain you will receive more accurate suggestions.
If it is a standard All Glass type/style tank, and the mesh top you are describing is what I am thinking of (http://www.petco.com/product/4357/Four-Paws-Metal-Tank-Tops.aspx), then all you need are these inexpensive clips and you should be set. Personally, I use three, but for additional security four would be ideal.
http://www.petco.com/product/4353/Four-Paws-Tank-Top-Screen-Cover-Security-Clips.aspx
Hope that helps...
Click to expand...
One of my tanks has a lid like this, I have found you have to test the clips as the clips you link to don't work on my tank but another type does fit. So maybe a bit of a look around for clips. I would also suggest four clips as if the snake is bigger they can push up a little in the non-clipped are (corners). susan
 
susang said:
One of my tanks has a lid like this, I have found you have to test the clips as the clips you link to don't work on my tank but another type does fit. So maybe a bit of a look around for clips. I would also suggest four clips as if the snake is bigger they can push up a little in the non-clipped are (corners). susan
Click to expand...


Which lid are you using and could you link me to a site that sells the clips you have used please? Any photos of your set up?
 
I'm using the clicks I posted earlier.
The lids I am using are - (http://www.petco.com/product/15193/Kritterz-EZ-Access-Screen-Cover.aspx) these.

And like mentioned above - four is the way to go.
The are easy to adjust - you can actually make them pretty tight with just a slight bend of the metal...

But I should be getting the fourth ones very soon; I just didn't need one since they were so small originally, but they are getting up there in size. My amel doesn't even go up top anymore, but my blizzard, is alway exploring.
 
you've probably seen the lid i have then.

I used velcro strips, you know the type with velcro one side, glue the other. I put a little on the viv lid, then a little on the viv itself, then made a larger strap so when the lid was closed it all met up properly. Then because the velcro has the sticky side, i cut out some snake scale pictures i had, and decorated the sticky side of the larger straps with those (geek alert!). Looks preeety damn good if i say so myslef ;) Those straps are amazing too, i put one on each corner then tested it by pushing on the inside of the lid, basically the tank was off the ground being supported by the inside of the lid. The velcro held. Im confident my corn ('beads') can't get out, i need to get him a new viv soon too :awcrap:
 
Chrome said:
Which lid are you using and could you link me to a site that sells the clips you have used please? Any photos of your set up?
Click to expand...
The lid 'logic' posted a link to, just the clips are different then he linked to.
I'll try to get a pic later for you. But I would suggest you find a tank with a that slides in and locks, it's just a lot easier, and in US not much more then the totol of tank+lid+locks. susan
 
TWGarland said:
you've probably seen the lid i have then.

I used velcro strips, you know the type with velcro one side, glue the other. I put a little on the viv lid, then a little on the viv itself, then made a larger strap so when the lid was closed it all met up properly. Then because the velcro has the sticky side, i cut out some snake scale pictures i had, and decorated the sticky side of the larger straps with those (geek alert!). Looks preeety damn good if i say so myslef ;) Those straps are amazing too, i put one on each corner then tested it by pushing on the inside of the lid, basically the tank was off the ground being supported by the inside of the lid. The velcro held. Im confident my corn ('beads') can't get out, i need to get him a new viv soon too :awcrap:
Click to expand...
What a great idea the clips are such a pain but this sounds so easy. thanks, :spinner: susan
 
it is really easy and for day to day use, its much easier. Plus for £2 i got enough to last me a lifetime (for when it wears out).

All i would say is, stick the hooked side to the viv (that lasts alot longer) and have the straps with the fluff on, cos there easier to replace.

Also be sure (im sure you would ;) ) to test the lid fully, to prevent any chance of escape.
 
TWGarland said:
it is really easy and for day to day use, its much easier. Plus for £2 i got enough to last me a lifetime (for when it wears out).

All i would say is, stick the hooked side to the viv (that lasts alot longer) and have the straps with the fluff on, cos there easier to replace.

Also be sure (im sure you would ;) ) to test the lid fully, to prevent any chance of escape.
Click to expand...


So.... velcro is the best bet then? the rim of the glass doesnt have a very large surface area though... im buying massive fish tanks off ebay for stupidly cheap prices... the one ive put up so far was £15! So it is cheaper for me! :laugh:
 
Not definately your best bet, it worked super well for me, but if you dont think its a possibility for you, it might not be. Something you could try for cheap though...

I might have to try buying my next tank off ebay too, if its that cheap!
 
Chrome said:
I love all glass tanks, I really dislike wooden ones as i think they can look tacky and cheap. So, im going for glass vivariums but I find them very expensive... however fish tanks are not it seems! I have a problem though... I need some good lids for them! I have found mesh and metal ones, but they just sit ontop and could get pushed off.... is there anyway of making your own lids? Or can anyone link me to some good lids?
Click to expand...
When I was still using a lot of aquariums, I made my own screen lids. You get everything you need except the clips in a standard window screen replacement kit: 4 side pieces, 4 corner tenons, screen and spline.

Depending on the type of kit you get, the corner tenons will either fit inside the side pieces, which have had the ends cut down at 45 degree angles. I cut the sides to fit very snuggly inside the top edge of the aquarium, sitting on the inner ledge. Some kits have corner pieces that remain visible, with the sided cut at 90 degrees. These are much easier to make, but sometimes leave a very small gap. Here are pics of some old ones. Ignore their condition; I use a rack system now.
 

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jaxom1957 said:
When I was still using a lot of aquariums, I made my own screen lids. You get everything you need except the clips in a standard window screen replacement kit: 4 side pieces, 4 corner tenons, screen and spline.

Depending on the type of kit you get, the corner tenons will either fit inside the side pieces, which have had the ends cut down at 45 degree angles. I cut the sides to fit very snuggly inside the top edge of the aquarium, sitting on the inner ledge. Some kits have corner pieces that remain visible, with the sided cut at 90 degrees. These are much easier to make, but sometimes leave a very small gap. Here are pics of some old ones. Ignore their condition; I use a rack system now.
Click to expand...


Im not sure in the uk we have screen fixing kits... I dont think I have ever seena screen window! I could be wrong though. Its such a good idea too!
 
Thats the clips I use. I use 2 on each side just to be safe, so it totals 8 clips in all, and that lid isnt going anywhere. However it is a pain for me to get IN there LOL
 
I know what you mean with the lids not locking and such. One thing I thought of was to put two 12 x 12" slate tiles on top of each other to hold the lid down with a lot of weight. They look nice, are stackable and provide a lot of weight to keep the lid in place. I even put a small sculpture on the tile which complimented the vivarium.

This is not a permanent solution for you of course but may put your mind at ease while you search for what you need. I have used them for my 16" corn and she cannot budge the lid.

Home Depot sells the tiles single for around $3.00 each. Get the rock/slate ones as they are heavier per square inch than porcelian, and, unlike the terracotta tiles, will NOT depleat humidity from the air below. They will also keep in ambient heat.

Good Luck!
Tracy : )
 
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