Habitat - Indoor :: Please! I need a serious aquarium top redesign!

[Meta]

Right now i use a screen lid and i cut a big hole for my uvb tube to get thru. I use a 20 inch combo hood that holds my 18 inch uvb tube and an incandescent lightbulb. My screen lid is sharp where i cut it, and it just doesnt look good. I need something that i can do that is compatible with my hood sitting on it and getting my uvb to my basking spot with no interference. what can i do? an above tank baskijng area is out of question. no room for it.

[Chrisbarnett]

Eggcrate aka light diffuser. I used it to build a lid for my moms 55gal.
Here's some pics of it on my moms tank, obviously not a turtle tank.

[meltedspork]

How about eggcrate/light diffuser?



You can cut it to fit the exact size of the top of your tank.

[Meta]

that looks cool. how do u make it a lid tho? i just sit it on rim of the tank? it wont fall thru with a lighting hood on top of it

1)where do i get this stuff?

2)should i cut a big hole for uvb to go thru? or r those small holes big enuff? what do i cut it with

[Raphulk]

1) your local hardware store (i.e. home depot, lowes) in the lighting section

2) ask chris barnett to show you a picture of how he set his egg crate on his turtle tank, he cut a hole

[Chrisbarnett]

Since you have a light hood, bulbs wont be an issue. The holes are large enough not to affect the UVB% getting to your turtle, so that's a non issue. No need to cut any holes.

It sits on the inner rim of the tank. You use pliers to cut it, it's the fastest and easiest way.

[Meta]

ok i got the 2 feet by 4 feet eggcrate so now what? i dont wanna cut too much and make it too small. and ALL the uvb rly goes thru these holes? to me it seems like if theres anything in the way of the uvb light(the actual plastic between the holes) that some of it MUST be getting filtered away

[TheComputerGremlin]

As long as the holes are 1/2" wide, they will allow the UVB to easily pass through. No need to worry about that.

I would recommend laying the egg crate over the tank and cutting the pieces to fit. If in doubt, cut it larger and make multiple alterations until it fits.

[Chrisbarnett]

Agreed with Compgrem. Lay one edge on the rim of the tank then cut a little larger than needed. Then gradually cut smaller until it fits perfectly.

[Meta]

Agreed with Compgrem. Lay one edge on the rim of the tank then cut a little larger than needed. Then gradually cut smaller until it fits perfectly.

well its 2 feet by 4 feet. my tank is 4 feet long. would i need to cut any off of the 4 feet long side of crate? or will that fit into the tanks rim? isnt the rim a little smaller than the tanks full size?

[TheComputerGremlin]

The only way to tell if you need to cut it is to lay it out and see if it fits. We can't advise you otherwise! We're not there with you! Take your existing top off when it's nice and light out or if you have a good light in the room, and lay it out and see if it fits. Then cut small bits off as needed.