Reptile Tank Sliding Screen Top Locking Pins

[daibunjau]

Hi, I just bought a 20 gallon long reptile tank for cheap on craigslist. The tank has a sliding screen top and has holes for locking pins. The tank is very nice and the sliding top fits on nice and snug, but the problem is that the owner doesn't have the locking pins. The sliding screen fits snug, but is very easy to remove, so I need to lock them. The 2 pin holes are near the center of the lid and are made from the tank company for pins to hold. The owner told me that they are P Shaped Pins that can be bought from Home Depot. I want to buy these pins to lock the sliding screen, but I do not know how they look like.

Can someone show me a picture of a P SHAPED LOCKING PIN so I know what to buy? I will try to get pictures of the tank/pin holes when I can. Thanks in advance.

 

[The_Thunderer]

I don't have a pic of the locking pin (even tried to google one), but basically it is a piece of metal shaped like a "p" where the "line of the "p" goes into the hole and the "loop" of the "p" keeps the pin from falling through the hole. I had a tank like yours... to keep it locked, I used a thin screw driver (used to fix glasses) and put it through one hole. This prevented the screen from sliding open.

 

[daibunjau]

I don't have a pic of the locking pin (even tried to google one), but basically it is a piece of metal shaped like a "p" where the "line of the "p" goes into the hole and the "loop" of the "p" keeps the pin from falling through the hole. I had a tank like yours... to keep it locked, I used a thin screw driver (used to fix glasses) and put it through one hole. This prevented the screen from sliding open.

Thanks for the quick response. I think I found the picture. Is this what you're talking about?
http://hcbzj.win.mofcom.gov.cn/www/5\hcbzj\img\200812811282.jpg

 

[glenhead]

Those are called hairpin cotters. If the holes are right, they'll likely work, though they'll be a bit more of a hassle than a small linchpin. If you go to Lowes Depot (or most other hardware stores) and go to the fasteners department, you'll find an assortment of pins to choose from. The people who work that department can help, too. One recommendation - measure the diameter of the holes to make sure you don't get something too big. The eyes can deceive!

 

[pwargcm]

i know exactly what they are. just not the real names of them. i drew a horrible picture in paint to give you an idea. its just small metal dowel bent into a p.