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If anyone remembers, I had posted a while ago asking about how to modify a screen so that I could fit everything where it needed to go, etc. I got lots of advice, mainly that the screen would sort of flop once I started cutting. But, I figured, since I was going to get rid of it when I got new materials anyway, why not try it?

IT was a success!!

My screen is for a 55 gallon tank. It has a bar across the middle from front to back. On the right side, I cut a flap so that I can open the top by flopping the screen down over the front of the tank. This allows the filter to hang on the back (couldn't before with a top on the tank). I also cut a tiny hole to clamp my heat lamp onto, AND a large hole directly under the heat lamp, over the basking area. Now, the heat lamp clamps right onto the tank in a sturdy fashion. The screen does not absorb any of the heat. The turts have DEFINITELY been basking more often!! GO MY LITTLE MUNSTERS, GO!

On the left side of the tank, I cut out most of the area under the UVB lamp. Now, the light it goes directly into the water with no screen blocking it. I repeated the same thing with the heat lamp over their second basking rock.

The ONLY problem that I can see happening (hasn't yet) is that the flap will eventually soften up and fall into the water. Right now, I can "close it" by flapping it over the tank and resting it atop the filter. But I have a solution for this!!! You know those report covers you can buy at stationary stores? For school reports? They have clear covers, and little plastic things to slide your papers into. I'm going to get two of those. And slide each end of the screen into the plastic thing. This will keep it straight and taut.

I will post pix when I get my behind around to it (where is the camera? where are my car keys? credit cards? sicne Xmas, the house has been a MESS). But I had to share my excitement.

Good job! I knew you could do it. I have an idea what it looks like, but i'll wait to see pics if i can picture it. Sounds very nice!

Good for you! See, you really are crafty.

Aw, thanks!! I guess I AM crafty!! Mwahhahaha! I will now try posting pix, they only came out okay.

First, my sweeties stacking, a totally gratuitious shot.


Next the general set up.


HEre you can see the "flap" that allows the filter to hang over the back--and for me to feed them without having to remove the top. You can also see the small hole by the basking lamp over one of the docks.


Just to show how the flap opens:


hole for clamp on lamp:


you can see how good it is to have the hole over the basking dock. No idea why the pic is so dark.


Finally, the UVB light, from above, then below. From below, you can see the hole for the heat lamp over the second basking platform.





Well?? Whaddya all think? You are all so encouraging. And I must admit, I am DARN pleased with myself. And um, where ELSE can I go to brag about my successful craft session? Comments welcome, please!!

Impressive!!! Thanks for sharing.

thanks kiki, i might get a screen lid closer to february that way i can raiser the water a little more. now i can see what i can try

Ingenious! On my screen, I cut the corner section and that's why mine got all wobbly. It's amazing, some of the things we do as turtle keepers in a fish world.....

Your set up is beautiful and so are your turtles!!

Good god it's SAD how much I love praise!! Whether about me OR my turts. Hopefully I can help someone else. The only time I had to cut the metal around the screen was for the flap. THAT was a bit tough, and required a saw. Which I of course broke within minutes. By the time I started it was evening and the hardware store was closed. So because I am a bit neurotic and HAD TO GET IT DONE IMMEDIATELY, I wound up holding the stupid half of a blade in my hand to do it. Ha! It took a little while for each metal cut, but not too bad. The whole thing took maybe an hour or two. Probably would have been shorter had I a real saw. The rest of it I used a wire cutter for. I recommend putting newspaper down, since the little pieces of wire may break--and if you have pets, you don't want them eating it. The turts love their basking stands now! And the plecko loves the driftwood!

Turtle keepers in a fish world! I love it!! And yes, it is funny--now I will spend two hours happily cleaning out the tank! Ha!