How in the world...

[SatanicIntention]

Would I put hinges on a screen lid and attach it to a 10-gallon? I plan on putting a crestie in it(yes, ya'll finally got to me...) and want to sit the tank on one of the short sides. I plan on putting a substrate barrier in case I decide to use coconut bedding later on.

If anyone has done this successfully, I would love to know. The only screen lids I have are the ones with the black metal frame and black mesh. If I have to make a screen lid, that is fine too. If no one has attempted this, but has ideas as to how I could accomplish this, please let me know

[Jeanne]

OK, here is my idea... now take in account, my hubby is a machinist, so we have tools around here that most ppl probably do not.

Use the screen top you have, cut the edge off from it that goes against the tank.. so it will move freely.. long side, short side..whatever.

Get small hinges (2-3) , use the glue you can get in auto stores... grr, cant think of the name.... it is 2 part stuff (locktite (sp) brand)..... plus there is some you use to glue your mirror to your window..maybe that would work.

Ok, maybe I should have gotten my hubby in on this.....i usually give a basic idea and he improves upon it to make it happen.

[Python-77]

Ok here is what I did for a friends tokay. We took a 20L turned it up on its side. Had a piece of plexi cut to fit the width of the tank and 3" high for the subtrate barrier. We used one of the screen tops with the built in hinged door attached that to the tank with standard tank clips on the sides 2 on the top 2 on the bottom. when done you have a vertical enclosure that is easy to feed and not to bad to clean. I will dig thru my pictures I think I have one of the finished product.

[Isshinharu]

Get small hinges (2-3) , use the glue you can get in auto stores... grr, cant think of the name.... it is 2 part stuff (locktite (sp) brand)..... plus there is some you use to glue your mirror to your window..maybe that would work.

Would you be talking about JB Weld? I believe that is the most common brand. It's an epoxy / resin adhesive. Something to keep in mind is once you mix the epoxy and resin together, you don't have a whole lot of time to play around with whatever it is you're working with so be sure to know what you want to do with it before you mix it. You could probably use a drop the size of a pea to adhere just about anything you can think of to just about anything you can think of. Be careful with that stuff.

Edit: Yes I believe Locktite is another brand that works quite well, althought I've never personally used it.

[Jeanne]

Issh, thats it!!! Yep, JB Weld.... hehe. Thanks for helping out on that one... I dont always remember the names.

Now imagine me going to the hard ware store trying to find what I need and I cant remember the name of the stuff...

[SatanicIntention]

Sounds like a good idea to me. I guess I will be going to Auto Zone tonight or tomorrow morning. What do you think would work well cutting that one lip off the lid? So just get some regular 1" hinges(something like that-the small ones), about 3 of them, and use this JB Weld to glue them onto the outer lip of the tank. What would be a good way to keep the lid closed? Maybe glue a small bolt lock on the other side of the lid and lip of the tank? I mean, jeez, I could use a piece of scotch tape and the gecko couldn't get out... But just for non-ghettoness sake... My mom suggested using a belt to keep the lid on, but eeww, and plus it would be a pain to undo those each time.

Thanks for the suggestions, and if anyone has a good idea on how to cut that lip of the lid off, let me know. And also what might work well to keep the lid shut.

Thank you! :-D

[Jeanne]

If it were us.. after talking to my hubby ofcourse, he said, use a disk cutter. Its an air tool. So you may not have access to one. Hack saw? But may be aweful time consuming..... any guys out there with ideas on what to use to cut it that I am not thinking of...

I would use the 1 inch hinges, maybe smaller, depends on what you have available.

And to keep it closed, one of those little screw in type latch/hook types you use for screen doors and such... I know they make them in little sizes.

[kavmon]

there are some 10 gal. that have a sliding screen top, no mods needed! i've bought them at petsmart before about 20 bucks.



vaughn

[Python-77]

to cut the edge I Would use tin snips to cut it then a file to smooth it out.

[SatanicIntention]

Thanks Vaughn, but the reason I am trying this is because I have about 5 10-gallons with lids, LoL. I'm a tightwad with my money, and really don't want to have to buy anything else since I pretty much have everything here. I'll see what I can rig up. I wish there were some way you could put a sliding top on a regular 10-gallon without having to buy the whole shebang. Know what I mean, Vern?

I tried tin snips... Wouldn't cut it for beans. That metal, although it seems thin, really isn't what it seems... It's two layers of metal folded in on each other. Just a big ol' pain in the rear. I even tried a jigsaw with a metal-cutting blade... Nope! Just bounced around, LoL.

We'll see. Maybe I'll ask around at Home Depot or something, or a metal cutting specialty place and see what they can do.