Hey everyone. Just wanted to share what I have done with Sam's aquarium recently (sorry no pics). This will work for almost any aquarium if you want to try. It really makes things easier to feed, clean, etc...
I bought a 1x4 eight feet long at Lowes. I cut it into four sides, nailed the sides together, and it fits on the inside lip of the aquarium (I have a 20 gallon long tank). I also cut a notch on the back side for cords and air lines. Then, I bought a 2x4 piece of plywood and cut it to fit over the top of the frame I just built. Then I bought a simple piano hinge (you can find at Lowes as well), and cut it to length and joined it to the frame. Last, I cut a whole in the plywood (the top) slightly smaller than his combo light fixture, and screwed the light to the top to keep it in place.
It was easy to build, and cost about $20. Now all I have to do is swing the top up to access the inside. No more screen top, no more worrying about the light falling in the tank, and Sam gets much more UVB since his light is now completely exposed. I've had it for three days now, and he is basking 6-8 hours a day now.
I also recommend that you buy the combo reptile light (about $40) for this set-up. It has a place for a 24" flourescent (ReptiSun 10.0), and 2 incandescent lamps on each end for basking heat. I use a 60 watt household "bug-light" on one side, and a red 40 watt "night light" on the other side. The yellow "bug-light" does not seem to contribute to any algae growth, and the red light comes on at night when his timer kicks off for bed. You can play around with the wattages to get the temps right.
I just wanted to share this with y'all, as I have been fighting this set-up for a while. I will try to borrow a camera so I can take some pics for y'all, but thought I would let you know that it is very convenient.
Just a last note. I know as Sam gets older and larger that this set-up will not work. But for those beginners out there with a baby turtle looking to start out cheap, this is certainly the way to go. Sam is just under 2" now and this set-up should work for at least a year or two longer.
