Building a screen top - question...

[WolfMama]

Hi I just posted that we were able to get the $1 per gallon tank sale (yay!). But, we need to make a custom top. I'm not happy with the divider down the center of the one we tried from the shop. But, what I do like about them is they ahve a sturdy screen that also seems to have some sort of coating on it.

I was wondering if anyone knew anything about that. Would the aluminum screening at home depot be safe with the heat lamps on it? And, what about coating it? We were thinking of trying radiator paint, but we're not sure. I'd like to paint the screen to somehow coat it, but not sure what to use.

Any info would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[Soulwind]

The actual metal screen will take the heat with no problems.

That plastic mesh may or may not depending on quality and how hot your lights are.

On the other hand, if you want to save yourself some hassle, you can get a metal
screen top that will fit nicely over those 40 breeder tanks from the big box pet stores.

Here's an example of one: http://www.petco.com/product/112185/Zilla-Fresh-Air-Terrarium-Screen-Cover.aspx?CoreCat=OnSiteSearch

The one sized for a 40 breeder runs about 20-25 bucks.

They are metal mesh and are sturdy enough to support a cat's weight
(as Quinn has proven over and over again).

 

[WolfMama]

Thanks for replying Soulwind

LOL. Funny you should mention cats, because we have three and two of them like to look in and one just recently took to sitting on top of it. We put a blanket on there, and our beardie is comfortable with that. In the beginning, until he got to know them better, we didn't allow them up there at all. We just moved his viv and one went up there, and we were about to scoop her off, but he was intrigued and didn't darken at all, so they seem fine with each other. The only time he gets nervous is when they get that hunt look, and unfortunately they do that somtimes but not toward him - toward the rogue cricket. LOL.

Oh, most definitely I wouldn't use the plastic mesh. I'd be afraid it would melt. We're constantly changing the lights. For some reason, it must be the constant environmental changes, we have to frequently adjust them. But, they have some sort of coating that makes them less harsh metal (the ones in the pet shop).

We do have one we got from the petshop, but it's not convenient. (It was very thoughtful of you to look that up though. Thank you.) It has a metal bar going down the center for a flip top (which I like) but the bar is not in a convenient spot. So, we'd like to make one that will be more to our needs. The only other alternative is a plain screen top,and we'd have to take the entire thing off everytime we wanted to go in and out, so that's not convenient either.

I was wondering if there were some kind of coating we could put on it, and we want to be sure the aluminum screening would be safe and sturdy enough.

The actual metal screen will take the heat with no problems.

That plastic mesh may or may not depending on quality and how hot your lights are.

On the other hand, if you want to save yourself some hassle, you can get a metal
screen top that will fit nicely over those 40 breeder tanks from the big box pet stores.

Here's an example of one: http://www.petco.com/product/112185/Zilla-Fresh-Air-Terrarium-Screen-Cover.aspx?CoreCat=OnSiteSearch

The one sized for a 40 breeder runs about 20-25 bucks.

They are metal mesh and are sturdy enough to support a cat's weight
(as Quinn has proven over and over again).