DIY Lid/Hood Help, please.

wilken370z · 11-22-12, 04:13 PM

Alright I am new to this forum and I've had some experience with snakes as I own a ball python right now, but I am getting a Red Tail Boa soon and I have a 180 gallon tank for her but I am having a hard time trying to figure out exactly how to make the lid for the tank. I'm wanting to make half of the lid screen for my heat lamps, and as I usually do, make the other half glass/acrylic for UV lights and humidity help. If anyone knows of anywhere that I can even buy a screen hood or top for a 180 gallon tank I can do the rest. but i've had a hard time finding where to go. Petco or petsmart don't have anything close to the size, nor does anywhere i've looked online. any help would be greatly appreciated.

Terranaut · 11-22-12, 06:28 PM

Search for threads on here about screen tops and heat lamps. Not a good choice for a boa

EmbraceCalamity · 11-22-12, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terranaut

Search for threads on here about screen tops and heat lamps. Not a good choice for a boa

I think they're saying they're gonna have screen just for the spot where the lights are, and then have acrylic for the rest. A little bit of screen won't destroy the humidity. Though I could be reading that wrong.

OP, can you give us a better idea of what you're looking to do? Any pics to give us a general idea?

~Maggot

wilken370z · 11-22-12, 08:32 PM

Exactly, I will post some pictures. I basically bought this tank for a steal price but it didn't come with that great of a lid. Ill take some pictures now

wilken370z · 11-22-12, 08:58 PM

Here are some pictures

wilken370z · 11-22-12, 09:13 PM

I have designed already that the larger open spaced pieces (in the back) I will plexi-glass the bottom of one of them, probably the left half of the tank. the right panel I will screen and use the open screened space to put the heat lamps on. But the only thing I don't know what to do about is the front 2 pieces. I've thought about fitting UV bulbs into them but also thought about throwing them out all together and doing something else.. but i'm worried about the boa escaping, so if anyone knows where I can get a screen for it i'd feel better about her staying in.

jarich · 11-23-12, 12:19 PM

I would get rid of that plastic top as itll be more hindrance than benefit. Just cut a piece of plywood the size of each half of your top, seal it with a deck sealant/stain/paint in the colour of your choosing. Make sure to give it time to off-gas after you seal it. Then if you have your heart set on having lights (though they don't seem necessary) just cut out a hole the size of the light hood you have. You can put a thick gauge screen across the hole. You can put two hinges on each piece in the back, a latch in the front, and you're ready to go.

wilken370z · 12-02-12, 05:57 PM

I actually figured out what I'm doing. I want a professional look rather than just wood. I am using window screen borders and heat resistant screening for the heat lamp sides and the same borders for the other side with acrylic sheet instead of screen to help hold in the temps and humidity. I will post some pictures once I am finished with the project.