Tank cover question

[Perpetual Flame]

Hey guys, so I'm getting an axie very soon but obviously, I want to set up a tank first. So I was just wondering, since the tank I have doesn't have a top and I know there's always the possibility that the axolotl jumps out, what's the best material to use to make a top myself?

 

[auntiejude]

We've got a piece of shaped acrylic sheeting, but I guess you could use any flat waterproof material, or even mesh.

 

[layna]

I think my stuff was called polycarbonate sheeting, its basically, thin corregated plastic lol and was like £10 alltogether to cover 2 X 3foot tank and 1 x 1foot tank

 

[pondweed]

I'm going to be experimenting with plastic mesh (the kind you buy to let climbing plants grow up), cable ties, and maybe something to tidy the corners up. (Or if my larger tank has braces when I get it, I may just plonk it on...)

 

[Mortimer]

I find that mesh keeps the water cooler (or, I guess, prevents it from getting too hot).

 

[Mortimer]

I also have a computer fan attached to the mesh, which I wouldn't be able to do with a solid cover. Just something I learned through lots of trials and errors.

 

[pondweed]

I find that mesh keeps the water cooler (or, I guess, prevents it from getting too hot).

That's my hope!

Do you have a photo of your mesh set-up? I'd love to see for some inspiration.

 

[Mortimer]

Yes! Ill post something as soon as I can get a picture.

 

[Mortimer]

That's my hope!

Do you have a photo of your mesh set-up? I'd love to see for some inspiration.

This isn't a great picture. The fan is siliconed on to the top of the metal. It works really well (and was cheap!).



Here's the rest of it:

 

[pondweed]

That is a rather gorgeous set-up! Thank you for sharing.

 

[Mortimer]

That is a rather gorgeous set-up! Thank you for sharing.

Thank you!

 

[layna]

Pondweed, your from the uk right, the mesh is brilliant for the summer i was thinking of making a mesh lid i can plonk on, my only worry with it was in the uk winter.
You may be lucky and have a house that stays warm haha, but my house fails to reach 17 Celsius with the heating on
So now its gotten colder im looking to have a lid that will keep heat IN, any ideas?

 

[PatchworkClocks]

I would think most solid tank covers would help keep any rising warmer air within the tank. Only issue with that is, of course, less oxygen getting to the surface of the water, which would mean the axolotls would have to rely solely on their gills.

Not that 17C is a bad temperature anyway. Better to be low and steady than shifting all the time, right? Cooler water just means you should feed them less, because their metabolisms tend to slow down.

 

[layna]

I would think most solid tank covers would help keep any rising warmer air within the tank. Only issue with that is, of course, less oxygen getting to the surface of the water, which would mean the axolotls would have to rely solely on their gills.

Not that 17C is a bad temperature anyway. Better to be low and steady than shifting all the time, right? Cooler water just means you should feed them less, because their metabolisms tend to slow down.

Sorry, i forgot to elaborate, I dont have a proper tank lid, i have polycarbonate plastic with holes in it to let any condensation out in summer
So i was thinking it wouldnt be very good insulation wise for winter, my house doesnt quite reach 17 and the heating is turned off overnight so it does get very cold in my house