Screen Tops for Plastic Baby Cham Tubs....

[PardalisGirl]

I use Sterilite clear/opaque plastic tubs for my babies until I put them in screen cages. I know lots of other breeders do this too. I've been frustrated with trying to find screen tops that fit neatly on my tubs. I have to keep cats out. I've been using ready made screen tops that are bigger than what I need because it was all I could find. I've just discovered that Big Apple custom makes screens tops in any size. I'm having them make screens in two sizes for me. 23" x 16" to cover my 66 quart Sterilite tubs and 18" x 12" to cover my smaller sized tubs (tub label gone). I'm thrilled because now I can get the tubs to fit side by side and use my space better. Right now the oversized screen tops make this impossible. I put a hooded fixture with my UVB and basking bulbs over the screen. This is then cat proof. Anyway, I thought I would pass this along in case anyone else wants to fit their plastic tubs with a screen top that actually fits! The tubs are great for raising clutches until they are ready for a bigger screen cage.

 

[Rocky]

could you just get a lid that was made for it and then cut the center out and either staple or hot glue the screen to it?

how much was it to get them custom made?

 

[Dunnigan]

could you just get a lid that was made for it and then cut the center out and either staple or hot glue the screen to it?

how much was it to get them custom made?

Thats what i did for my cricket bucket

 

[Chameleons Northwest]

could you just get a lid that was made for it and then cut the center out and either staple or hot glue the screen to it?

how much was it to get them custom made?

That's a good question, but it is better not to have the plastic "frame" of the bin-top resting close to where the lights will be. Plus, the hot glue and screen stuff doesn't hold up as well as well-framed custom screen tops. Especially if you want to rest lighting on them. We do hot glue and screened lids for our feeder bins, too, but not for our baby chameleon bins.

 

[Eric Adrignola]

It's very easy to make them yourself. Got to lowes or home depot, fine the screen section, buy some screen, spline and frame - and corner pieces. Practice a few times, and it's easy.

 

[TimTina]

Yes, we went to Home Depot. That way you buy it and make it yourself and it is custom. I think the rails are approx. $4.00 for an 8' section. Not sure but guessing that it is MUCH cheaper than having custom built.

SMILE

 

[fluxlizard]

Similar to the comments above-

Aluminum window screen frame is very cheap and easy to put together (it is what most commercial chameleon enclosures are made of).

When I have needed tops for tubs I have done 2 things-

1) My favorite- just get a roll or fiberglass window screening. Cut a piece about the right size and stretch it over the top of the tub, like you are making a drum. Clip it to the lip using cheaply available paper clips (binder clips- you can see here:

http://www.officemax.com/office-supplies/clips-fasteners-rubberbands/bulldog-binder-clips/product-ARS21692

These are very strong- 2 on short sides, 3 to 5 on long sides depending on size of tub.- I used to raise baby lizards outdoors in these tubs on rows of tables with a shade board laid across the middle and trusted these clips to keep the birds out and even large bearded dragons in (when used along with the height of the tub of course LOL). I would just unroll the screen over the row of tubs and clip the ends on each tub and then the sides on the end tubs as well. Never tested on cats- wouldn't be surprised if the clip was strong enough that a cat could walk across the tub, but recommend testing with cat on an empty tub first.

2) what others have recommended. Cut the middle out of the lid, leave the 2" ridged rim. Drill small holes every inch or two around the edge of the hole, grab a needle and some fishing line, and sew aluminum window screening to the lid. Is very strong and fits the tub perfectly- would certainly keep a cat out of the tub and you could put very very heavy lighting on the lid and it would hold up fine.

 

[KCcham]

What age would you normally switch the panther babies from the tub to a screen cage?

 

[fluxlizard]

Nowadays I start my baby chameleons in screen enclosures (29 gallon reptariums laid on the side).

The size of the enclosure is more important than what it is made out of for babies. The tubs are small and tiny insects like pinheads and baby mealworms and fruit flies stay in a little better than a screen enclosure which has lots of little holes...

 

[sandrachameleon]

I use exoterra glass and screen enclosures for young chameleons. They work perfectly, without modifications or effort

 

[Texas Panther Man]

Depends on how fast some grow. But by 2 or 2.5 months you should be able to move them to small screen cages. By then the size of their feeders should be big enough to not get lost in a screen cage.