55 GAL TANK TOP/lid options?? Looking for DIY or Retail product info

[1stpalindrone]

Im trying to come up with some answers on building or buying a good, secure, safe & breathable lid for my 55gal tank soon to be my terrarium.. I have a few ideas on building one although I think it might be easier and maybe cheaper to just buy one..

If anyone out there has any suggestions I'd be very gracious..
Thx again,
Lucas

[Amon Ra Reptiles]

You can buy a screen top at a pet store but you will lose a lot of humidity and that's already gonna be an issue with a 55gal tank as it is so tall. I personally would recommend a plexiglass lid. Most aquariums have a small lip on the top designed to hold a glass top. If you cut plexiglass to fit there you could drill several small holes around the perimeter for ventilation without losing all your heat and humidity. You could secure it with cam locks. Do a search on th DIY forum for a guy who designed a 10gal tank top in this same manner. If you can't find it let me know and I'll try to.

I suppose I'll say before someone else does...an aquarium isn't ideal for a snake.

1. The snake can see to much activity and can get stressed.

2. You lose a lot of heat and humidity because of the unnecessary height.

Now that being said as long as you are able to keep temps and humidity up and provide at least two hides (a hot and a cool) I see no reason why you can't make it work just fine. I have kept several in aquariums with no issues and I'm sure you can too. I hope this helps and if you have any questions let me know. Good luck and have fun!

[1stpalindrone]

Thanks I'll try and find the DIY posts you spoke of. Do you know where to buy plexi? I have no exp with plexi, can it be cut with a table saw/skill?
Thx again,
Lucas

[Amon Ra Reptiles]

You can bu it at Lowes or home depot or any glass shop also just make sure your measurements are real accurate and Wherever you get it will cut it for you.

[kitedemon]

I came up with this. Different, but solves most snake in Aquarium problems...

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...arium-Solution

Alex

[yeroc1982]

There is this stuff called egg crate at Home Depot, I used to use it for dividers in my fish tanks. Depending on how big of snake u got, this stuff would work. It's breathable and cheap.

[MitsuMike]

Yep your going to prob have to use plexi b/c your using a tank and it has humidity issues.
Ahh, my legacy lives on.

[1stpalindrone]

I came up with this. Different, but solves most snake in Aquarium problems...

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...arium-Solution

Alex

Right on, this is a cool setup that I've actually looked into before. Great idea & design. My only problem is the space I'd be taking up by layin' the 55 on its side. It wouldnt want to sit on its stand very well with the extra depth.. I've put this design in My Documents for future tinkering with other tanks! Thx again, everyone for the input~

Oh yea, could someone explain to me the 0.0.0 formula? I assume the first is male, 2nd I think would be female, 3rd?? maybe an unknown sex? Thx for the education guys, we appreciate all the info..

Lucas

[Amon Ra Reptiles]

That's the thread I as talkin about and you shoul be able to make it work standing upright just glue the back edge in. As far as the numbers you got it forst is male second is female third is unknown sex.

[1stpalindrone]

I came up with this. Different, but solves most snake in Aquarium problems...

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...arium-Solution

Alex

Right on, this is a cool setup that I've actually looked into before. Great idea & design. My only problem is the space I'd be taking up by layin' the 55 on its side. It wouldnt want to sit on its stand very well with the extra depth.. I've put this design in My Documents for future tinkering with other tanks! Thx again, everyone for the input~

Oh yea, could someone explain to me the 0.0.0 formula? I assume the first is male, 2nd I think would be female, 3rd?? maybe an unknown sex? Thx for the education guys, we appreciate all the info..

Lucas