Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Thought some of you guys might be interested in somthing like this.
http://forums.kingsnake.com/view.php?id=1187016,1187016

Good design. Possibly a life saver.

Back when I kept herps (catch and release only now), I made a bunch of aquariums with sliding lids that had locking pins.

Here's a brief description for anyone interested. Maybe I can dig one out of storage and post a couple of pics tomorrow.

1) Start with any size aquarium.
2) If a side or two are broken, so much the better.
3) Replace broken sides with panels made from pegboard & screen(detail to follow).
4) Throw away or recycle any existing lid.
5) Go to Wal-Mart and purchase a do-it-yourself metal picture frame kit such as shown here FRAME. Choose a style similar to the one below where the space between the bottom ridges will slip over the aquariums top edges.

6) Measure the aquariums top from the outer edges.
7) Use a hack-saw to mitre cut the metal frame pieces to the correct sizes. Approximately 1/8 longer than measurements from step six. This will vary some depending on the style and width of the frame kit.
8) Dry fit the cut frame pieces to the aquarium top to insure correct fit.
9) Use silicon caulk to adhere THREE of the frame pieces to the top of the aquarium.
10) Use a table saw with a metal cutting blade to remove the inside bottom ridge from the entire length of the remaining frame piece.

11) Make a top panel from pegboard and screen (detail to follow). It should be sized to slide into the chanel (where it says "13/32" in the above images) formed by the three frame pieces attached to the aquarium.
12) Use silicon caulk to adhere the remaining frame piece to one edge of the top panel (NOT the aquarium). The panel edge should be secured into the open chanel of this frame piece.
13) Slide the top panel into the chanels on the chanel formed by the three frame pieces attached to the aquarium.
14) Use a small bolt through one or two of the pegboard holes to prevent the top from sliding out OR attach a locking latch.

PEGBOARD AND SCREEN PANELS for top and any broken sides:
*Screen is optional, depending on what your keeping (including food items) in the cage
1) Cut two pieces of pegboard for each broken side and the top. Make sure the holes will line up when pieces are stacked together.
2) Cut some window screen slightly smaller than the pegboard pieces.
3) Paint the pegboard with a waterproof paint varnish.
4) Assemble the pieces as you would a sandwich. Pegboard - Glue - Screen - Glue - Pegboard.

Have Fun,
Daryl Eby