Screen Cover Lock

[Ringo]

I have a 30 gallon aquarium with an adjustable screen cover. It has 4 clips with wing nuts to tighten and secure it so that the ball python cannot push it off. Eventually I will be keeping Regi ( the snake ) in a school. I need a way that I can lock the aquarium not to keep him in but to keep students out. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Premier_Herps]

I would say go for something such as a critter cage. They are made in many different sizes and have a sliding locking lid which will keep the little buggers out. You can put a small lock on the front of the lid and no one will be able to get in without your supervision. They are made by a couple different companies but the two that come to mind are Zilla and All-Glass Aquarium.

[wolfy-hound]

If you have to use that particular tank, you could make a "harness" that would fit around it, and put a lock on that. It would not be foolproof however.You would end up building a wooden frame around the upper edge, and adding an hinged flap that would fold across the top, then locking that.
Easiest to get a All-Glass sliding lid tank. We always used small padlocks on ours, never any issues. Ours were locked for the same reason, keep people out, not to keep the snake in.
Good luck

[Ringo]

Thanks for the ideas. I just dont really have the money to buy a new cage. I didnt know if there were any lockable covers on the market or not. I havnt been able to find any. I just figured if anyone would know the people on the site would. I will just tell the students that it bites even though he doesnt lol.

[wolfy-hound]

You could also make a wrap around locking board thing, that way they couldn't get TO the thumbscrews to undo them.
Just trying to think.

[Ringo]

Thats a good possibility. I wonder if there is a way to make an easy hinged cover for it that would be tight enough fitting to keep the snake in but also have a pad lock on the front or something?

[wolfy-hound]

Hey! What if you merely glued the hasp for the lock to the glass and to the lid? I'm pretty sure that there are a million glues to glue a metal to glass.
That way you could undo the lock, THEN easily undo the screws to remove the lid as normal.
??

[hoo-t]

I understand your concerns about keeping unsupervised people out. However, my daughter's ball python lived at her high school for 3 years. The students were allowed to take him out with my daughter's or the teacher's supervision. I don't know how many, but I'm sure that there are quite a few young people out there that are no longer afraid of snakes because of this. My daughter graduated this last year, and the snake graduated with her (metaphorically speaking) and he now resides at my house. Ask most people who have graduated in the past two or three years from that school if they know who "Dutchap" is, and they'll tell you "Yeah, cool snake!"

Steve

[Ringo]

Ya im studying to be a high school biology teacher which is why I bought my little guy. I only have one more year of college after this year hopefully if all goes well. I just remember how boring and dull my high school biology class was and thought that a snake would be a really cool visual aid to get students excited about my class and biology. I am also thinking about getting a leopard gecko in the near future. Does anyone know how expensive they are to keep on a day to day basis? I already have a 20 gallon tank for one. Just want to make sure I can afford one before I get it. I think I found a good way to keep the screen top locked. The Zilla company has made clips that can be attatched to the screen top and they also sell combination locks that can be used with the locking clips. I just ordered some online for $25 shipping and all. Ill try to remember to make a post to let everyone know how well it works when it comes in.

[hoo-t]

That is awesome! And from my experience, yes, your snake will make a wonderful addition to your classroom! The teacher that housed Dutchap also had a hairless rat that ran free in the classroom, turtles, guinea pigs, hissing cockroaches, and I'm not sure what else!

Steve