I disagree with the people who make doom and gloom forecasts about the evils of using a screen top. You can, in fact, use a screen top, and that does not necessarily condemn your animal to a slow dehydration death. I think they exaggerate quite a bit. However, there are some things of note for using a screen top.



First, heat does rise so you will probably need to use a higher wattage bulb for a screen top to accomplish the same basking spot that you could use a lower wattage bulb to achieve for an enclosure with a more solid top. That results in more heat in your bedroom, living room, or wherever you keep the animal. It also adds up financially depending on the number of animals you keep.



Second, dehydration is an issue, but it is fairly easily resolved. You will need a water container large enough for the monitor to soak in. If it has water available to drink and/or soak in, then it will regulate its moisture levels on its own. You can also use a substrate that allows it to bury itself in and spray that down with water on occasion and that will also help.



Third, the key to anything with monitors or any other animal is adjustments and awareness. If your monitor does nothing but sit in the water dish, then that probably means there is a problem and you need to figure it out and correct it. This point applies to all aspects of your husbandry.



So, you can go about things in multiple ways and find the right way for you and your animal.



Now, in terms of what you can do for your immediate problem. If you are simply waiting for your boyfriend to return to build a lid and/or cage, then you can do something as simple as putting a board over the screen to prevent your monitor from getting out. Put a few heavy books on the board and that should keep your monitor contained until your boyfriend can build something. Keep in mind, you will still need to have a basking spot so the board will not completely cover the top. Maybe use two boards? I am not sure if pet stores sell a screen top that would fit your aqaurium, but it might be worth a look.



Good luck.
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^x^ Bloodbat ^x^

Monitors, monitors everywhere

and all the food they ate.

Monitors, monitors everywhere,

their parents loved to mate.

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