Habitat - Indoor :: Egg crate for top of tank

[Fuzzy Hamster]

I've read several comments about not using the typical screen lids for a turtle tank because they can limit the effective amount of light that actually gets through. So, as an alternative I was thinking of some kind of chicken wire screening (much bigger holes).

Then today (tonight? - IDK, its 3:43am here now) it occurred to me that the egg crate (light diffuser) that many people use for ATBAs might work really well, especially if I can get the black stuff so it didn't seem as obtrusive. Then I realized that it is made of plastic and that a heat lamp (for basking of course) might melt it.

I can't find it at the moment (can't use my mouse very well with my left hand...and Panda is using my right arm as a pillow - he's so cute sometimes ), but I thought that Chris (Barnett - is there another one?) was using egg crate for his lamps....

Is anyone else doing the same thing (with their lamps on egg crate) and have you had any problems with heat affecting the shape of it? Are you using plastic or metal?

[Chrisbarnett]

Yep, I have egg crate holding my lamps right now. I cut out square holes then left little support squares so it's practically impossible for the lamps to go through or fall over.

and showing my UVB bulb tip sticking through,

But the way it is, heat is not affecting the eggcrate one bit.

I made a custom eggcrate "screen" top for my moms 55 gal fish tank, the eggcrate sits right on the inner rim, and is cut out for the filters and whatnot. You could easily modify it for your needs, I'll post a picture of it tomorrow if you want, its 1:18am right now, not really in the camera mood.

[Bumby's Mom]

Since it is "light diffuser" I would assume that means it is close to lights? At least thats what I thought.... I was planning on using it for my ATBA and my lights would be sitting on it as well.

[Chrisbarnett]

Right, it is close to lights, but the lights are flourescent and don't give off much heat.

[Fuzzy Hamster]

What you did for your mom's tank sounds like what I want to do.

I can see that your crate has not been affected by heat, but just to be clear, isn't one of your bulbs for heat? Were you concerned that it might be a problem with the plastic crate?

I was also wondering how strong it is. The design would seem to make it much stronger than those black screen covers. My thinking is a 'just-in-case' type thing where my kitties are concerned. They have both learned what they are and are not allowed to jump up on, but I also know that they like to 'explore' during the night. I just want to ensure that Spike doesn't have any furry, middle-of-the-night, uninvited party guests

[BullDog]

I've got it for Ralph's basking area. I'll admit I accidentally left his basking light (a halogen reading lamp) too close to the crate (the glass was touching int) and it melted it a bit. I've played with egg crate quite a bit, and it melts easily, although it maintains its strength once it has cooled. I just pushed the lamp back and it's been fine.

As for strength, it really depends on several factors. One is how big your tank is. I don't think it would stand up to the weight of my cat if it was spanned across one of my tanks (it would be a piece that's about 18"x16"). But a smaller piece would of course be stronger.
It would become weaker if you cut holes in it, of course.
Also, I've found there seems to be different qualities of the white egg crate itself. The new piece I bought recently seems a bit flimsier than my previous piece.

To add support if you thought your cats would be jumping up there, you could put strips of something flat (strips of metal or something?) underneath the egg crate.

[Fuzzy Hamster]

I'm looking at about 36" x 18" so support strips sound like a good idea. I don't expect them to be jumping up there, just trying to prepare for a 'worst-case' scenario.
I am concerned about heat melting it so I would probably cut out an opening and then attach some small guide pieces to the top to keep the lamp fixture from sliding around.
I'm also thinking that, like Chris, I may only put crate on the half with the lighting/heating bulbs and then use something else, maybe plexiglass, on the other half.

Hmmm, this new turtle tank is turning into the never ending project

[Chrisbarnett]

Yes, I was worried about heat, but by cutting out the square in the eggcrate, only the rim of the lamp is touching, and the heat can go straight through. I haven't has any problems with melting or even getting soft from heat. The square on the right in the first picture is the one I have my heat bulb over.

And heres what my moms tank looks like with the egg crate screen..

[Fuzzy Hamster]

Thanks for the pics Chris.

That is EXACTLY what I was thinking of doing, along with the light opennings like you have on your tank.

Nice tank btw. I really like how the plants and the background blend together.

[PcBuilder14]

I'm going to put chicken wire over mine. It's smaller, can't melt, and you cant spray paint it any color you want.

[steve]

Skip the painting, get some that black egg crate.

[Chrisbarnett]

I want that black egg crate, its pretty sweet.

Just need to find it locally.

[PcBuilder14]

I don't like egg crate because it's to thick.

[Fuzzy Hamster]

O.K. so i think the chicken wire is for the birds, I've had enough painting for a while (I'm still not finished my son's room...sigh), and melting egg crate doesn't seem to be a big issue since it can easily be prevented with appropriate cut-outs and something (clips?) to position the lamp.

Egg crate it is! Now the only challenge is finding the black stuff...the search is on!

Hang in there Spike..."New Turtle Tank - the Never Ending Project v3.0" is almost there (v1.0 is shrinking by the day, v2.0 didn't even come close to passing 'user acceptance testing')

[Chrisbarnett]

squishy has a link for the black egg crate in canada... i'll see if I can find it.