Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My friend has a large 55 gallon tank that he needs a lid for before he can get a snake. It is one of those large tanks that are inside of a nice oak cabinet style fish tank deal. The top has a divider in the top so that the lights and stuff can fit in the top and I don't know what type of screen to get that will fit in there and work fine. I would really appreciate some help.
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Screen tops are not always very good for reptiles as tehy make it difficult to maintain correct temperatures and humidity.

You can still use a regualr 55 gallon screen top, the dividers should not make a difference as they are set below the lip of the tank.

I would suggest making your own top with wood as you will be able to allow for minimal screen area and thus making it easier to control the temps. and humidity.
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- Jason F.

Posted by: jayf at Mon Apr 24 14:49:34 2006 [ Report Abuse ] [ Email Message ]

Screen tops are not always very good for reptiles as tehy make it difficult to maintain correct temperatures and humidity.

You can still use a regualr 55 gallon screen top, the dividers should not make a difference as they are set below the lip of the tank.

I would suggest making your own top with wood as you will be able to allow for minimal screen area and thus making it easier to control the temps. and humidity.
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- Jason F.

Screen tops are the best you can lock them in place tight with those metal clips they sell ,place lights flourescent or incandescent and to hold in heat,humidity simple sheets of aluminum foil scotch taped to screen frame work amazingly well.

I agree screens as is you lose lots of heat but with aluminum foil or even plastic sheet,etc placed over part of screen your not using the heat is held amazingly well .

I guess I am biased. I dont particularly like anything that is manufactured for reptiles. I like to make everything ...

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- Jason F.

Posted by: jayf at Mon Apr 24 16:20:37 2006 [ Report Abuse ] [ Email Message ]

I guess I am biased. I dont particularly like anything that is manufactured for reptiles. I like to make everything ...

I would be biased to if I could build like that lol. I forget this forum is people that build great stuff but for those with just screens covering the areas with a flat sheet of thick tinfoil is amazing for holding heat.

Granted what you have there will hold heat way better and looks nicer.

Thank you, I appreciate the compliments.

I guess we must make due with what we are able.
But you would be surprised what you could build fairly easily ... or convince someone else to build for you.
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- Jason F.

Posted by: jayf at Mon Apr 24 14:49:34 2006 [ Report Abuse ] [ Email Message ]

Screen tops are not always very good for reptiles as tehy make it difficult to maintain correct temperatures and humidity.

You can still use a regualr 55 gallon screen top, the dividers should not make a difference as they are set below the lip of the tank.

I would suggest making your own top with wood as you will be able to allow for minimal screen area and thus making it easier to control the temps. and humidity.
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- Jason F.

just like jayf said that divider is a brace used for 48 inch long tanks and bigger any screen for 55 gallon is fine. I myself like the ESU screen tops as find them well made.
I HATE the screen tops that have an "opening" door ontop of screen as those get in the way of lights and the screens with velcro to "seal" them to the tank are weak trash.
Just look for a regular all screen top with steel frame ESU has great ones . Its a good idea to use those inexpensive lock on steel clips to that hold the screen in place from snakes that push it .