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I was just looking for some new ideas on keeping the hardware cloth down on the top of the tank. I tape mine. And it gets annoying when you have to adjust things etc etc etc. So I was just looking for some more helpful ideas so that everytime I wanted in to do something in his tank I didn't have to untape and retape.

I'd like the answer to that also. Right now I'm using an oven rack and a cutting board

I have a statue sitting on one end of mine cause the tape doesn't like to stick there since it is close to one of the lights. But yet again he jumped on his filter last night and apparently kept doing his diving into the water bit and so he knocked his filter off balance so I had to untape and retape everything.....
Though I doubt I'd get an oven rack to put on top of it...I don't think my mom would be willing to give up one just for the turtle.

But there has to be a simple way out there..someone must have found an easy way!

Well, I wouldn't suggest something heavy to keep it down. Have you tried plastic zip ties or velcro straps? Maybe some small clamps?

I'm going to assume the hardware cloth is at least 1.5 inches larger than the size of your tank all around...If you cut in an inch or so at the very tip of each corner, you can bend the sides down to create a little edging. Attach the sides together where they meet with something like fishline or wire. You'll just have to pick it up when you want access to the tank, but then slide it back over the top when you're done. (I hope you can envision what I mean.)

Or, you can keep the piece of hardware cloth flat and put an edging around it to weigh it down. I've seen some people use something like wood moulding (sp). Bring the dimensions to a place like Home Depot and have it cut, then nail the pieces together (buy double the amount and put the hardware cloth in between them). I've bought some long pieces of aluminum beading (I think it's called) and at some point have to figure out how to attach it to the sides of the hardware cloth I have.

It's not a huge heavy statue it's a l ittle one that's heavy enough to just keep the edge from popping up. And I have more than an inch and a half around the edges I have it so that it covers almost the whole tank, because my original plan was to just fold everything under the tank..yeah that worked!! NOT! And I see where you're going Marisa but I think it would pop up too much on the tank and still allow my turtle to get out (which most people don't think he would ever try to escape..I laugh. He knows the chance is there) The wood thing sounds like an idea but I have a plastic tank, it might crack it. Too bad I don't have a regular tank that I could have just fit the stuff into a screen!!

If you weighed down the corners, I don't see how your turtle could get out (unless you have the water filled to the absolute top).

And as for the wood edging, I don't understand what having a plastic tank has to do with anything. But, if what you're using works, then that's fine.