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Ok, this is an old, yucky pic but it's easier to show than describe what I need.

I'm converting this 10g into a paludarium which will include my fiddler crabs. They are excellent escape artists, so I need to figure out a way to seal off this portion of the tank where the filter hangs and heater cord comes through. It would have to be something temporary, that could be removed for tank maintenance.

Any ideas?


Theresa_M attached this image:


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There is water at the bottom of the ocean

You can get a small sheet of plastic, either plexiglas or the material used for flourescent light covers in homes from your local home supply store, you may even see if they have some broken ones they would just give you. The best way to make openings in this material is with a heated metal object. I've used a large nail or spike heated on the stove top, and handled using pliers - be careful and don't get burned.

You can then melt through the plastic where the cords and openings are needed. If done carefully you can make a very tight fitting cover.

Jim

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Water, taken in moderation, cannot hurt anybody. -- Mark Twain

Theresa_M

I have had to cut plastic for other jobs over the years and I use a small electrical soldering iron it works perfect.

For your situation you might have to use a thick 1/4 ins plactic. By the shape you also might not be able to make it in one piece. Make a paper pattern first this also could help. If you are going to cut/burn it to shape dont do it inside as the fumes are not the best thing to smell in confined spaces.

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
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Get a plastic cover from a photocopy shop, those that are fitted to the custom made photocopied books. Trim it and you're done.
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You can even get it in much different colors and finishes.

Home depot sells acrylic sheets for $10 or under that'll work quite well for something like that. I bought some to cover the indoor "pond" with ...think it was $8. Easily drilled, can be "cut" with a dremmel (it melted a bit ).

Possibly screen and wood if you need the airspace.

^_^
[hr width='40%']"Early morning, April 4
Shot rings out in the Memphis sky
Free at last, they took your life
They could not take your pride

I use gutter gard with some magnets to keep it in place. The magnets had holes in it so it was easy to attech. That keeps in larger fish real well while still giving me easy access to the tank. I doubt it would work with small fish though. Its convienet as I don't have to cut around the filter or any air tubes. Water goes right through it.

maybe a piece of cardboard with a lead weight?

I've had 2 plecos suck on the filter outtake and flip out of the tank along with applesnails that kept wanting to go for a cruise across the floor. I use plastic grids from the craft department at walmart. Can cut it to fit the filter exactly and the water runs down through the holes. It wouldn't work with anything strong enough to push it up and I still have a random escaped snail. I tried tying it to the filter to hold it down and haven't lost any fish and just one applesnail since then.

Or, if you're lazy, such as yours truly, simply use filter sponges to clog up the holes--water still flows through, but the fiddlers don't.

Last edited by Cup_of_Lifenoodles at 18-Apr-2005 12:43

Screen!!!! Take a hot glue gun, cut out your peice and glue it on......

The glue comes right off after if you want to use the tank again for something else..


Angel Eel

Doh! I nearly forgot about screening. Angeleel is right--screen patching is often used to contain crayfish and other crusts.

saran wrap it keeps my killis in, and babelfishies out... after she managed to sneak her lil foot in there and crush one, i figured it was time for action...

Arggggg!!! That's not true tim!

Even with the sran wrap [link=somebody]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v195/Babelfish/Trips%20and%20Stuff/killi.jpg" style="COLOR: #EB4288[/link] managed to jump out of the tank and land half way across the living room floor right in front of the kitchen! Where everyone including the six toed cat was walking.

wasn't my fault

^_^
[hr width='40%']"I'm alright, I'm alright
It only hurts when I breathe"

I used a little metal grid thing I got at the hardware store for like 10 cents a foot. I just trimmed it up and got it all to the right size and shape, and then taped it down.

I suppose fiddler crabs would be able to hang on it or something and might use it to their advantage when trying to escape from the back of the tank, tho I have ACF's that are so blind they can't even see the stuff... let alone try to climb on it