How to make a lid for an aquarium

[joncosmo]

Today I cleaned out my fish tank and it is ready to go for a snake! I'm so excited! I have a 30 gallon tall tank with only an aquarium style top for fish. I was wondering what things need to be done to convert this tank into a snake tank. I think I am going to start with a corn snake, heard they are excellent for beginners. I am also wondering if anyone has any links which show how to make a lid which can be secure so the snake cannot escape. Any help here will be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[joncosmo]

Does anyone have any ideas?

[CORN_SNAKE91]

I think you shouldnt make one.... a lot of pet stores have good lids (I bought mine from a pet store) and my corn snake (God forbid) has yet to escape :p

[HeatherRose]

I've done this with a friend of mine, and the only solution we could come up with was putting weights on top of the lid, although I don't recommend this as the tank could break.

Why not get a rubbermaid? It's lighter, easier to move and comes with a fitted snap on lid.... you can get one for 8$, as opposed to 20$ for another tank lid at the petstore.

[CORN_SNAKE91]

IMO he has a tank already so why not just buy a lid and he has a home for his snake? And they're not that expensive

[HeatherRose]

Well...every pet store I've been to (there have been a few) has had lids for 15-20 dollars. How cheap have you seen them? So...they ARE that expensive. You also have to figure out how to lock the lid down, snakes are escape artists.

And yeah, he has a tank already. I have a mayonnaise jar already, so why go out and get a good, proper enclosure that will be excellent and suitable for my snake if I can just poke a few holes in that? See where I'm going? Just because someone has something already, or went out and blew a whole ton of money on some kind of cage, doesn't mean it is suitable for the snake... :)

[second skin]

go to any window and glass shop and give them the dimensions and they can make you up the proper screen fitting with latches for like 15 bucks

[Manitoban Herps]

Originally posted by HeatherRose
And yeah, he has a tank already. I have a mayonnaise jar already

LMAO,

There is a difference, a tank is suitable for a corn, a mayo lid isn't. :D

[HeatherRose]

It's a BIG mayo jar. I was talking about a new snake I'm getting in a few weeks... seeing as I have it already... ;) :rolleyes:

[CORN_SNAKE91]

What Manitoban Herps said :D

[DataRipper]

I am with the both of you.. if you have the money buy the nice top from the pet store or get a rubbermaid or make your own
but make sure it is good..because if there is a way out at all they will find it.

its all based on what is good for you i would recomend any of the 2..

[clint545]

Just a tip... if you decide to buy the lid from a pet store, making sure you know the company that built your tank.
Some lids fit Hagen while others only fit Miracle tanks. It would suck to spend that 20 bucks on a lid that doesn't fit!
I would definitly check out the option that Second Skin gave you...

[HumphreyBoagart]

Why spend $20 on a screen top, or $8 on a rubbermaid, when you can just go to the grocery store and get the jar of mayonaise for $5!

Hump.

PS But be sure to empty the jar first though!

[Mystic Lizzards]

get some wood and cut it so it fits in side the tank and rests on the lip(i have done this for many tanks and put a handle on it so u can get in and if it fits tight u got a lid for cheeeeep)

[gonesnakee]

Go to any building supply store to the window section. Find the screens & screen supplies. The one style Hagen makes that fits snuggly inside along the lip is made from the exact same window screens parts you can buy at the store. All you need is the 4 corner pieces, appropriate lengths of the metal "tubing" (which can be cut to any size) & screen etc. & you can make it whatever frigging size ya want. The day I go buy a Hagen lid for some outragous price from a petstore when I can just make my own much cheaper won't be happening very soon LOL you could also buy screen & use wood trim to make one that fits over the top around the outside too or the inside as far as it goes. A little creativity & a trip to the buliding store & you can design lids, cages whatever ya want & never need anything from the petstore for caging, Mark
P.S. I've also taken old screen lids that no longer had a use & customized them for a smaller tank, like if you can find a really cheap or used one for a 33g Hagen & customize it for a smaller cheaper non hagen tank or whatever, being creative saves cash.

[joncosmo]

k thanks guys, I'll consider making a screen cover.

[chas*e]

For safety... go buy a top from a pet store or aquarium(better price) store...around $25 for 30gal tank