Habitat - Indoor :: tank cover

[Hardster]

Hey guys...i am just researching as i am looking to buy some turtles. I used to have fish but am looking at switching...i am trying to work out how to hold my lights above the tank for the turts....what sought have mesh have you used there big ct? and how have you attched it etc?

I currently have a 130 litre tank roughly...a filter.....heater....so doing the research about the light before i purchase them

[flutterby]

Is it possible for one of the mods to split this off into its own topic?

FYI...

130 liters is equal to 34.34 gallons (US)

[steve]

good idea...done!

search for hardware cloth in the forums...

[Hardster]

ok after a bit opf searching i have a few questions still.

1. This cloth is it fine to lay a uv light on? ie its not going to melt?
2. How have people attached it to the tank, i still can't see how they have done that?

Cheers

[JessicaTS]

attach the uvb light to the tank, you mean?
Clamp lamps

[Hardster]

Here you go.

I used bricks from the hardware store (cleaned and baked) and then got a piece of couple of peices of slate. $10 maximum and the turts like the cave it makes





The top pick was mid cleaning so the water level is usualy higher

see how the one light is clamped to the tank - i know how to do this and am about to purchase one that doe this. The other light just sits on the mesh, does this heat up at all? Also how is this mesh attatched to the tank?

[sonyj]

Looks like to me the light that is laying on the mesh is a UVB light which will not heat up because it is florescent. The heat light is the one clamped.

[marisa]

Hardware cloth is really a large mesh that's made of galvanized steel, if I remember correctly. It can hold a light depending on the weight. If you're concerned, you could support it in places by putting some sort of bar across the tank and laying it on that.

[flutterby]

I had my heat bulb on top of the screen (the kind used for reptile tanks) 40 watt bulb and it didn't melt or anything.

[Hardster]

thanks guys...yeah i thought it wouldnt heat up cause it is flourecent but i thought i better make sure.....also while we are talking about lights...what is a good wattage to run for the light that is providing the heat?

[BigCT]

Hardster,

Just replied to your IM. sorry for the delay. I'm only online at work. and it was my weekend the last couple of days.

The Mesh on my tank is metal. So no worries about it melting. Here is a Pic that shows how I attached to the under side of the mesh (to prevent blockage on UVB) on the Dragon tank.


I used Zip ties through the holes on the screen and put them through the screw holes on my cheap 18" under cabinet light from home depot.

[Hardster]

thanks for that bro, i will prolly have my light on top as i want more water in my tank...i will try find some mesh that has bigger holes if possible