Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Once my BD is bigger, I plan on moving him into my 75 gallon that's currently being used as a fish tank. My concern is the top. If I buy just a regular screen top, then I'll have to take tons of light fixtures off every time I want to get in the cage for feeding, handling, cleaning, etc.

Does anyone know of a place that sells screen tops in this size that have a section that lifts up to allow access without having to move all the light fixtures? If not, then I guess I'll have to try and build one which I'm not too happy about trying since I'll have to really try and stretch the screen to make sure it's tight enough to hold up the domes without sagging.

I've tried to come up with a way to suspend the domes over a screen top but haven't been able to come up with a way to do it on this aquarium. Lamp stands won't work due to the base having a lip that comes up over the edge of the bottom making it unaccessable to a stand that slides under it. Not to mention the height and the need for multiple heat sources in such a large enclosure.

Your help would be greatly appreciated...couldn't sleep last night trying to figure this out. Thanks!

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Lisa
www.beginnersbasics.com

Cricket FREE babies!

Thanks, but already checked there. Even asked them why the 75 gallon size wasn't able to be chosen at check out. He said that ESU no longer makes that size and that he's desperately checking everywhere to find someone that makes a 75 with a hinge.

It's not hard at all to make your own top. I made two lids, since there is a dividing bar in the middle. I used pretty strong screen and the weight of lights is not an issue at all.
On one side I have my basking light and UVB, on the other side, just a regular flourescent to brighten the tanks cool side (18". I keep the food bowl on the cool side and lift that side to get to it. I used 1 1/2 x 1" wood to make the frames.
Luckily, my 18" flourescents sits down in the fram exactly. I just lift the front and the light stays put.

Chances are you don't have the same size lights I do, but tank sizes are the same. In any case, a top for each side makes it much easier then having to lift a 48" lid with lights on it.
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TheClassyLizard

I don't have a dividing bar on my tank, but I like the idea of creating two seperate lids. Especially if I can do it lengthways to keep the lamps on the back half and have a section that I can pull of the front. In order to make sure the front half would stay put, I could put eyehooks to attach the two pieces together. Sure would be a lot easier if ESU was still making the size I need!

Oh, for screen what kind exactly did you buy? All I've seen at hardware stores is the screen that goes on windows...not the metal that I'm used to seeing on reptile screen covers.

I bought a roll of the metal screen at Lowe's. It doesn't really matter that you don't have a dividing bar if their is a lip all the way around the tank the two lids would rest on the lip, side by side.
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TheClassyLizard

Oh, gotcha. I had in my head plans for a lid that went over the outside of the tank, similar to the canopy that's over it now for my fish. Man, do I have a habit of making things WAY too complicated!

Just take the inner measurements, cut 4 pcs. of wood and staple the screen on.
The 1 1/2 inch wood makes it easy to lift because it remains above the lip. If you want it to be flush, you could use thinner wood and put handles or knobs on it.
I used the thicker so it wouldn't be too flimsy.
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TheClassyLizard

I have a 40 breeder tank for my adult that came with a sliding screen top. It's really convenient. Since it's so smooth, I don't have to worry about unplugging the light, waiting for it to cool, etc. before I want to get into his cage.

I don't know if they make them in the size you are looking for, but it's an idea you can consider.