Screen Covers?

[tbelanger]

Hey guys, I just managed to scoop up a 120 gallon tank for really cheap and have had an enormously hard time finding a place that sells screens of the appropriate size. I figure I can always make one, however, I thought it'd be easier to buy one. Any ideas? The tank is 60" (5') x 18".

 

[Pookachu]

The one time I picked up a tank through craigslist it was one of those weird dimensions (it was taller than it was longer) and could not for the life of me find any place that carried a screen top for it.

I ended up going to glasscages.com. It's been a while, but I remember calling them directly and speaking to someone and giving them the dimensions of the tank and they gave me quote with shipping.

From what I remember it wasn't the cheapest but I did not think it was overpriced either (and especially considering I do not have the tools or the know how to make one).

 

[chemgrl08]

I also just got a new tank with odd dimensions and cant find a cover. I was considering making a cover out of screen and wood, but then I was worried about using wood in case the heat lamp moved out of place or something like that. Perhaps there's a way to use metal sides. I was planning on going to Lowe's or Home Depot and just asking if they had any ideas there. My techie boyfirend seems kind of excited at the prospect of welding the mesh onto the screen sides though... :|

 

[tbelanger]

My b/f had the idea of buying the mesh and getting small strips/sheets of aluminum and really folding them over on the mesh edge and then "billeting" them together. Probably wrong word, but when you use almost bolt type things to hold it on. Sorry can't explain it, it makes sense though. Soldering sounds like a lot of work to me. lol

 

[fresnowitte]

I personally don't use my screens. The screens they normally make for viv's will actually block some of your UVB.
Tbelanger actually has the right idea make one. But use a hardware cloth rather than screen, this way the UVB can still travel thru it.

*Just incase someone doesn't know what hardware cloth is.........it is not actually cloth it is more like a chicken wire only small squares, but much larger than the squares on screen.