90gal SW aquarium into Carpet Python Terrarium

Killerflash · 06-24-16, 08:11 PM

Hello everyone!
Wow! It is good to be back as it has been along time since I've been on... nearly 9 months.

Anyways! I've since had all the same animals and if anyone did not know I've also had a 90 gallon saltwater fish tank all this time, but it is time to get rid of it's inhabitants as I no longer have the time required for the proper maintenance needed for that tank.

After some thought I decided to keep the tank and stand and turn it into my JCP's new enclosure

I'm wondering what ideas people have as far as making a lid for it?

I can't turn it sideways and do sliding or front opening doors as those dimensions wouldn't work with the stand.

My thought was 2 acrylic sheets fitted in the top slots and possibly put hinges on the back? to secure it from being pushed up I was thinking maybe velcro the perimeter of the acrylic to where it sits on the top of the tank and also use clips? Not really sure how I want to go about it, but I'm pretty sure I want to use acrylic sheets with drilled holes in them.

Here it is

toddnbecka · 06-24-16, 11:03 PM

I've found pegboard to be cheap and useful for tank tops. Secure it with a couple of tera tie down straps that hook under the tank rim, and if you need higher humidity cover part of it with foam board. Mount a RHP and you're all set.

Killerflash · 06-25-16, 02:37 PM

I'm a little worried that those tie downs would get too easily knocked off from the outside by someone in my house like my 3 year old little girl.
Even my little cousins when they come over lol as they are all interested in my animals.
I wanted something a little more secure or rather harder to get off.

phassin · 06-25-16, 06:38 PM

I would probably go acrylic too. Hinges and some kinda locking mechanism sounds good, but I would probably not use Velcro. I just don't like it. It peels, it frays, it's not fun to open and close lol. I'm sure I would think you could find a bushing-pin locking set or a turn key lock that would keep it secure and could keep the kids from opening as well. Home Depot has stuff I'm sure. I think if you search for display case locks, you can get some good ideas.

phassin · 06-25-16, 06:38 PM

Lol I need to proof read before posting

Killerflash · 06-25-16, 07:02 PM

Sorry for the double post, but I believe I'm set on having two acrylic sheets with drilled holes in them for ventilation as my top.
I already have two extra sheets here that are just slightly too big to fit, but can of course be cut down to size and get holes put in them.

I am still not sure how I want to secure it as I don't want it to have hinges and I really don't want to drill any holes in my tank if I don't have to, even if it is just the black plastic liner along the top.

I was looking into using cam locks as they would be attached to the acrylic and turn underneath that top plastic liner to hold it in place. Although if I Only used those then I would need 8 as each sheet would need 4, 1 for each side, to make sure it stays in place.

I know I'm probably over-thinking this and some simple clips would probably do the trick, but I'd like to hear some ideas as it could help other people as well!

phassin · 06-25-16, 07:30 PM

Cam locks are definitely a good option. I think you could probably use one or two and the set if you got creative. What about attaching a set of rails and sliding them in? End of the rail could have a pin lock.

As far as not drilling holes, I'm with you on that. You can use contact cement as an adhesive. Cheap, strong and easy to use.

The whole point of DIY projects is to over think it

Killerflash · 06-25-16, 07:51 PM

Contact cement is a great idea!
I think I may reconsider hinges if I use that stuff instead of drilling into anything and go with 2 hinges on the back of each side as well as 2 cam locks on the front of each side.

With the front and back secured so well I don't think I would need to have anything on the sides.
I think could get everything for about $25 and have a pretty sweet top.