I can't seem to figure out what sort of screen to buy to make a top. I was thinking of using aluminum window screen, but now I hear that it should be coated with zinc, or something, and that window screens can be coated with harmful chemicals, so I shouldn't use that, but what do I use and where can I get a roll?
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What is the screen used on aquarium tops?
- Thread starter mef1975
- Start date
drybgerg
Greg
I'm sure somebody knows about the screen, I don't.
I don't like using screen tops on aquariums. I make my own lids out of wood and acrylic or pvc and acrylic. I'm liking the pvc and acrylic combo, no need to seal or add any type of finish if you don't want to!
Making them like I do your options are endless, want a single door, double door, no door, one large door that covers the whole top?? Not a problem.
Also don't have humidity issues either.
Here are two recent ones I made out of wood and acrylic.
And one I just made out of pvc and acrylic this week, took me about an hour:
I don't like using screen tops on aquariums. I make my own lids out of wood and acrylic or pvc and acrylic. I'm liking the pvc and acrylic combo, no need to seal or add any type of finish if you don't want to!
Making them like I do your options are endless, want a single door, double door, no door, one large door that covers the whole top?? Not a problem.
Also don't have humidity issues either.
Here are two recent ones I made out of wood and acrylic.
And one I just made out of pvc and acrylic this week, took me about an hour:
Wow, those are awesome! I found me a 4'x4'x2' aquarium, cheap, online, which I'll be using for a 3 foot corn snake I found last week.
Do people that have closed terrariums, such as you, have air pumps providing circulation inside? I think I'll definitely stick with an open screen top.
Do people that have closed terrariums, such as you, have air pumps providing circulation inside? I think I'll definitely stick with an open screen top.
drybgerg
Greg
Thanks for the compliment. No need for an air pump. There are air holes drilled into the acrylic. I also never have the problem of the snake rubbing its nose raw on the screen.
How are you going to build your screen top? I've made some out of regular house screen and they worked out fine but I would get the reinforced screen if you can find out which type to use.
That makes a lot of sense, worth considering.
Hadn't really thought about how to build the frame yet, just wondered about screens people like to use. Thanks for the input.
hypnoctopus
Olivia Barron
Dryberg, those are really beautiful! Do you just build the tops, and buy the actual tank?
drybgerg
Greg
No problem. Apart from the frame you'll need a way to secure it, corns are extremely strong and can push with some good force. You don't want it to move at all if they can get under it just a little it could harm them.
What I do is drill a hole and tap it for a brass or nylon screw/bolt. I make this hole so when the screw/bolt is threaded in it goes under the plastic band at the top of the tank securing the top and not allowing for any movement. You could build yours the same way I did mine just substitute the screen for the acrylic, would work out nicely I think.
drybgerg
Greg
Thank you.
The three tanks I'm currently using now I've had for many more years than I care to count. Used to be very heavy into fish and got a bad case of MTS (multiple tank syndrome), I believe I got 2 more tanks out in the storage shed. I'm thinking of building my own rack system just to save space, tanks take up to much room.
My dad keeps telling me I need to start marketing these tops to the locals and see if I get any interest.
hypnoctopus
Olivia Barron
I think you would get a lot of interest!
drybgerg
Greg
I think I might also.
The customization is pretty much limitless, from material type to finishes to doors and vents, I could even incorporate led lights into them. I just don't know if I have the time to put forth.
smigon
Old enough to know better
Here are two recent ones I made out of wood and acrylic.
Pffff. Showoff.
No, seriously, those are really beautiful, I have seen them in other pics you posted, you did an amazing job. I agree, see what the cost would be to ship them and offer them locally or online, custom ordered, I think you have a great product! I would order some if the shipping is worth it!
Back to the original question, I would stick to pre-made tops, they do have some with very flimsy screens and I hate them, I have cats and if they ever got on top of them they would go right through! I order the heavy duty screen tops, it is more of a grate and has tiny gaps in the corners for the thermometer cord to go through. They are cheap on Amazon, and have a variety of ways to open.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_s...aps,219&rh=n:2619533011,k:screen+top+aquarium
If you still want to make your own, make sure they are escape-proof and use a heavy duty screen that is solid, like the stuff screen security doors are made of, nothing that has any "give" when you press on it.
drybgerg
Greg
I agree. The time and effort sourcing materials then the time to build makes them less attractive, I mean it's still going to be a screen top. I don't care for screen tops and there really isn't anything available like what I make so for me the time and effort is worth it, plus I hate clips and the only escape I've ever had was from a viv with a screen top.
The op might have a hard time finding one that fits that large an aquarium (don't know have never looked) so might be the motivation behind making their own screen top.
drybgerg
Greg
OP any luck yet? I know aluminum screens have been used for a long time around here by people who keep chameleons and such, never heard of any problems. I have been looking and haven't found any zinc coated screens only zinc coated gauze net (not sure what that is or where you'd get it).
smigon thanks for the compliments. I really should look into offering these, as I really enjoy making them!!
I've been looking and haven't found any screen tops for anything larger than a 75 gallon, the op has a 120 gallon.
smigon thanks for the compliments. I really should look into offering these, as I really enjoy making them!!
I've been looking and haven't found any screen tops for anything larger than a 75 gallon, the op has a 120 gallon.
smigon
Old enough to know better
Hmm, perhaps retro fitting two 75 tops to create one large enough?
smigon
Old enough to know better
I Googled "metal grate screen" and came up with these images, the one my lids are made of is the top row center pic.
https://www.google.com/search?q=met...zJYmHogS054HQBw&ved=0CEoQ7Ak&biw=1280&bih=564
Look up the vendors and see what they have, it may not be a product readily available in a hardware store.
https://www.google.com/search?q=met...zJYmHogS054HQBw&ved=0CEoQ7Ak&biw=1280&bih=564
Look up the vendors and see what they have, it may not be a product readily available in a hardware store.
restes
New member
I think you have an item here where you could really set yourself apart and turn a profit.
The lighting would be your key to success in my mind. Lighting options now are typically very unattractive from what I have seen. You made those tops out of pretty hefty wood, which seems a bit over-engineered. That being said, the thickness could you could install a strip of LEDs in the lid by routing out a small cavity of some sort.
People can often rig up tops that work well enough but if you can offer asthetic tops with the functionality of self-contained lighting, it could be a Shark Tank worthy proposal!
Not sure I have the talent for it but once we get out house in order I might give this a go.
galvanized?
I'm not sure if galvanized would work, but my first idea in response to your question was to suggest using 1/4" hardware cloth inside a framework of some type.
http://www.lowes.com/pd_492388-1641...l=1¤tURL=?Ntt=hardware+cloth&facetInfo=
Galvanized is corrosion resistant, but may react with some heat and chemicals.
I'm planning a large enclosure for a possible Eastern rat snake and I need overhead light (they're more diurnal, and arboreal, than corns and bask a bit too) so I need wire top than can handle a light fixture on it. Thus, acrylic or glass tops won't work.
Another consideration in selecting a top is your humidity level. Where I am, I need to keep in humidity in the winter, but anything that doesn't breath in the summer will trap too much humidity and lead to mold, etc. A solid top, even with holes, would make a sauna. Good for pythons maybe!
I'm not sure if galvanized would work, but my first idea in response to your question was to suggest using 1/4" hardware cloth inside a framework of some type.
http://www.lowes.com/pd_492388-1641...l=1¤tURL=?Ntt=hardware+cloth&facetInfo=
Galvanized is corrosion resistant, but may react with some heat and chemicals.
I'm planning a large enclosure for a possible Eastern rat snake and I need overhead light (they're more diurnal, and arboreal, than corns and bask a bit too) so I need wire top than can handle a light fixture on it. Thus, acrylic or glass tops won't work.
Another consideration in selecting a top is your humidity level. Where I am, I need to keep in humidity in the winter, but anything that doesn't breath in the summer will trap too much humidity and lead to mold, etc. A solid top, even with holes, would make a sauna. Good for pythons maybe!