Needs some ideas on top for tank?

[Car73]

I am new too Gecko's will be getting my son 2 next Tuesday I have done a lot of research and think I am ready with everything. But, we have 2 house cats and are going to try keeping the Gecko's in the living in their tank if the cats will not bother them. If they do I will move them to a room that the cats can be shut out. Either way the delima our tank is 36 in long and 18 wide. It has a screen top but I am afraid our cats or at least 1 of them will want to get on top of the tank and walk around and probley lay on it. I need ideas on something that can be bought or made to cover the screen but still allow ventilation. That will keep the cat from tearing up the screen with his weight (he is fat). Something that if he walks on it that will keep him off the screen. We thought about new grill grates like for a outdoor grill or making a lid out of plywood with lots of holes drilled in it. Please anybody that might give me some good idea. We need to get this ready this weekend.

Thanks
Carlene

 

[fl_orchidslave]

I had to put a floor tile on top of a screen to keep the cat from perching. Eventually I was able to move the tank to a different location which was more suitable for the gecko.

 

[Car73]

I have to have something with ventilation dont I ?

Thanks
Carlene

 

[fl_orchidslave]

On a big tank, the cats may be able to knock off a tile. I did it with a small exoterra, which has some ventilation, and I placed the tile slightly cross-ways at the corners. A big tank is harder to move once everything is all set up. I would suggest finding a more suitable location that it can stay safely in.

 

[geckogirl3]

i trained my dog to leave my geckos alone, but you have a cat so i am no help

 

[StewartTHEGecko]

I have put my two 10 gals inside a cabinet with no doors. There is just enough room to pull the screen top off. But with cats I would suggest moving it to another room. I don't know anything about cats though, I 've got three dogs so no cats here! :main_yes:

 

[Car73]

LOL I wish I could train my cats. That would be nice. My husband can make a top from plywood that has a lip like box top I just wonder if that would be enough ventilation with a lot holes drilled in it?
Carlene

 

[StewartTHEGecko]

LOL I wish I could train my cats. That would be nice. My husband can make a top from plywood that has a lip like box top I just wonder if that would be enough ventilation with a lot holes drilled in it?
Carlene

I wouldn't use plywood. Its not that strong, I would go for a solid wood. And yeah, that would be enough. But don't use a light because they're nocturnal.

 

[Dimidiata]

Whats wrong with lid clips? Most every petstore has them, their typicaly used with snakes and large reps but i see no reason with spending 7$ for a fool proof method.
This is what they are basicly(obviously theres 100s of brands but this is a example) http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/reptile-supplies/screen-lids/-/penn-plax-sure-lok-screen-clips/

 

[StewartTHEGecko]

Whats wrong with lid clips? Most every petstore has them, their typicaly used with snakes and large reps but i see no reason with spending 7$ for a fool proof method.
This is what they are basicly(obviously theres 100s of brands but this is a example) http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/reptile-supplies/screen-lids/-/penn-plax-sure-lok-screen-clips/

If the cat laid on it, the sreen part of the lid my fall in. Smart, though, for keeping the cat out. :main_thumbsup:

 

[Dimidiata]

Erm, what? isnt the lid supposed to sit ontop of the tank, hang over the sides?

EDIT: oh, is the top like mesh(screen door style?) i thought it was a regular screen top.

 

[Krow]

I have snakes, geckos, lizards & cats all living here & my cats really don't get on top pf their tanks. Course I have stand with the 20g gecko tank on it so I guess they don't wanna jump that high. But I have my tegu's tank sitting on the floor with just a screen lid & 2 clamps, it's a 55g long, so it's about 3 feet high off the floor (guessing) & again the cats never get on top of it, they just lay on the floor & watch him walk around. If I get any of them out the cats are scared to death of the reptiles. Maybe I just have weird cats...

 

[Car73]

My cats might not lay on it but I have a feeling he will. He is a hairless car and likes the heat.

Carlene

 

[Car73]

We ended up getting a piece of peg board that has wholes in it. I hope it works ok and will give enough ventilation. I will take it off when I am home. My husband is going too have too cut a place in it to put the light. I first have to go tomorrow and get a stand for the light. I didnt realize I needed 1 but my husband and I are afraid if we just set it on the screen and one of the cats accidently hit the cord it could pull it off and start a fire.

Thanks for all the ideas.
Carlene

 

[BrightReptiles]

Ditch the light and get a uth. Leos thermoregulate with belly heat, so an under tank heat pad is a must. Lights also stress them out. If you insist on using a light make sure it is a red light as its a color they can't see. Either way, a uth is an absolute must.

 

[Car73]

I have a uth also. But also a light with a regular bulb and a red light. I was under the understanding I needed a light for daytime for heat and to help them keep their day our regulated. Is that not correct? Then the red light was to help us be able too see them at night. I have spent $30 on the lamp and bulbs and was planning too spend more and get a stand for it but if that's not necessary. I wont buy a stand.

Thanks
Carlene

 

[StewartTHEGecko]

I have a uth also. But also a light with a regular bulb and a red light. I was under the understanding I needed a light for daytime for heat and to help them keep their day our regulated. Is that not correct? Then the red light was to help us be able too see them at night. I have spent $30 on the lamp and bulbs and was planning too spend more and get a stand for it but if that's not necessary. I wont buy a stand.

Thanks
Carlene

The red light is okay, but get rid of the other bulb.

 

[grboxa]

day bulbs are really not necessary. If you get light in your room that is fine for them to have a day and night cycle.