tank covers

[greene]

will this keep a snake in if i dont have anything for it to climb on?http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u438/greene6/imagesqtbnANd9GcTMqjwhWzDH0LPydmw8TNU5Knuqx6-SI7rQtD8pOdj5xR0nvTXH.jpg

[Dan72]

Sam I'm pretty new to all this but I would say that without some kind of clamp or locking system you wouldn't want to risk that on its own. Depending on the tank size and the size of the snake in question you might be able to get (AWAY:rolleyes:) with it for awhile, but they are escape artists. From experience I can tell you that adult snakes with nothing to climb on at all can just use the back end of their body and the glass to extend all the way to the top of an aquarium. I would say for no more than what they would probably cost to get some kind of clamp that would work with the top.

[greene]

ok could i put books or something on top of the screen to hold it down?

[guidofatherof5]

Lay a narrow board across the length of the lid then put a book on the board.;)

[kibakiba]

It's not a very good idea, it'd be better to buy clamps or find a different sort of top.

[Dan72]

Again your speaking with the new guy but my concern with books up on top would be in covering the screen top. I'm not sure what your using for a source of heat, if any. But it is my understanding that the difference in temp from the hot side and the cool side work to keep the flow of air through the tank kind of like its own little (weather system?). So if your blocking that with anything books, a brick, or whatever... how does that effect that ? I've read on several sites where garter keepers keep their snakes at room temperature, I'm not sure if thats what your doing, in that case you don't have the two sides working in that way so maybe you would be fine. You could use the books UNTIL you get the clamps;). I know I have, and I'm sure all of us do, you take some short cuts until you can make things just right for your snake. Rome wasn't built in a day as it's said, but for the snakes sake and your piece of mind you want to do things the right way as soon as you can versus the just get by way. Just my thoughts.

[InsanePirateDragon]

Get clamps or locks for sure, that way you know the tank is closed. Keeps snakes in and other things out without much worry.

Those lids can sometimes go unnoticed that it isn't on all the way and a snake can easily slip out.

Marley did it once, luckily for me he was still on the lid and was just chilling there and that the snake catching cat was outside at the time.

[chris-uk]

Garters will sometimes escape from lids with locking mechanisms, usually due to user error. So a lid with no lock isn't going to present a huge challenge. Putting heavy stuff on top should do the job, but introduces scope for human error.

[Selkielass]

I use that type of lid onseveral cages.
Its. Corners are not baby proof - seal them for small snakes.
8-20 incurred like to wedge themselves into the space between top rail and lid. Larger snakes will support themselves oñ tails and push with nose.
Clips work well with some tanks, they are a. Nuisance with others.
I llike a book sized slab of stone on opposite corners. (Scavanged from a builders dump and rough cut to size.)

[greene]

how do i seal them? Could i put duct tape on it to hold it down?

[guidofatherof5]

No tape ever!

[greene]

No tape ever!ok i guess ill just have to try to find some clamps

[guidofatherof5]

Sorry, I should have explained.
Tape + snakes = dead or injured snakes.

[greene]

how does it kill or injure them?

[ProXimuS]

how does it kill or injure them?

Here is another thread explaining some reasons, with personal experiences, with snakes and tape.
http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/general-talk/10542-specific-info-about-brown-ribbon-snake.html

Sounds like it can be pretty dangerous....

[Selkielass]

Electrical tape with NO sticky exposed will work but must be checked regularly.
Sticky surfaces can maim or kill garters.
I covered my cage edges with wax paper as a shield then sealed the corner gaps with dabs of silicone fish tank sealant. After curing I trimmed and squared up the corners.

The stone slabs I use are scavenged pieces of broken window and door sills & wall cladding stripped during repairs It is pretty simple to score and break into appropriate sized pieces. Habitat for humanity restores often have used stone sills & counters. Countertop scraps are too thick and heavy for me but might be just the thing for larger stronger snakes.

[ProXimuS]

OOO I have (what I think is) a good idea!! I just switched my guy into a new cage yesterday that has that same kind of lid. I had already put something heavy on each side as a temporary measure. But I was thinking today, what about those reeeeally big rubberbands? Like the headband sized ones. Not sure where you would get them...I'm thinking maybe an office supply store. Or perhaps bungee cords?

Does any one know any reason this shouldn't be done?

[kueluck]

I use the hinged type Zilla Fresh Air Screen Cover With Center Hinge - Reptile - Web Exclusive - PetSmart (http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752186) and then put weather striping on the back inside so no sticky part is accessible to the snake. This gives it a really tight fit, plus on the front I use a set of the large clips. This way you don't have to remove the whole top and you can do your daily cleaning, changing of water or what ever you need to do inside the viv. Plus it limits the space for your snake to escape it he/she is a runner.

[greene]

OOO I have (what I think is) a good idea!! I just switched my guy into a new cage yesterday that has that same kind of lid. I had already put something heavy on each side as a temporary measure. But I was thinking today, what about those reeeeally big rubberbands? Like the headband sized ones. Not sure where you would get them...I'm thinking maybe an office supply store. Or perhaps bungee cords?

Does any one know any reason this shouldn't be done?good idea! im going to try that

[zendragondrew]

If you go to Petco or wherever else the clamps are like $4 a pair, just shell out, it's not too expensive for peace of mind.

[ProXimuS]

They make a clamp that will hold those kind of lids specifically?

[Mommy2many]

Garters will push the lids up and wedge their bodies up and under the lid without a weight or clamp. I found my large female hanging halfway out of her house a couple months ago and she had done just that. Snakes like to cruise the "roof" and will find any opening they can.

I actually came home last Monday to find my small ringneck sitting on top of the garden brick that I had on top of the enclosure. He must have squeezed himself thru the mesh screen lid. Lucky for him and us that he didn't wander with the 3 cats around.

[thamneil]

I'm not a fan of the clips. I've had snakes try to squeeze out only to be squished by the clips.

[xStatic]

I would go with clamps for sure. Snakes like to escape and they will try almost anything to get out. I know putting heavy objects on top can be easy and seem safe but I've seen too many snakes who were strong enough to push the lid up just enough for their bodies to be crushed by the weight on top of the lid. You can pick up some tank clips designed for those types of lids for less than $5.

These work well for my garter's tank.

Petco Reptile Screen Cover Security Clips at PETCO (http://www.petco.com/product/4353/Petco-Reptile-Screen-Cover-Security-Clips.aspx?CoreCat=certona-_-ProductListTopRated_Reptile_1-_-Petco%20Reptile%20Screen%20Cover%20Security%20Clip s-4353)

[snake man]

I use this with mine and I just put a few rocks on each corner to wiegh it down.

[ProXimuS]

I'll have to check those out. I may even try those with something heavy...Just to be double safe....Or it may just be double frustration when I have to get into his cage:p