Best easy top for a 20gal dart frog vivarium

[MillerFroggies]

So I am finally almost ready to construct my first vivarium and I am stuck on what to do for the top. Does anyone have any suggestions for something easy or have any experience with conversion kits. I want to make sure I do it rite the first time so I don't have to go back and fix it later. Any suggestions would be greatly appreacieated. I am using a 20 gal fish tank and just leaving it horizontal if that helps.

Kelly

[deranged chipmunk]

a regular old glass top will work just fine. or you can have a piece of glass, or plexi or lexan cut to fit the rim.

[MillerFroggies]

would a glass top made for fish tanks be ok or does it have to be custom cut... I want to make sure we have no escapees

[deranged chipmunk]

A one piece custom cut would give you 100% security. An aquatic top, about 95%. Downside to the custom top is access. The aquatic top does come with a hinge. The weak spot on the aquatic top is the plastic piece at the rear. But it does come in handy for cords and tubing and such.

[Bombina Bob]

If you ever want to make a lid for the poison frogs, you can always get a pane of glass and silicon a handle on the top.

[exasperatus2002]

If your going to make your own. Heres a good source for parts. Terrarium's Acrylic Lid Supplies | Josh's Frogs

[tylototriton]

I would go with a solid piece of glass or two (two is more manageable I think).
Aquarium lids sometimes have gaps, and even though the gaps probably aren't big enough for the frogs to escape they are definitely big enough for fruit flies to get out!
I've done several different tops for my tanks. I've used plastic wrap under a screen lid. That wasn't classy at all, but it worked just fine (for years)!
I've done two panes of glass. I find having a couple panes makes it a little easier, that way you don't have to lift a whole large piece. I didn't even bother with a hinge, I just sat them onto the lip.
My current favorite is to build a small screen and then use cut glass for the rest. You can see the sort of screens i'm talking about in John's 10g Vert thread. I like them because they do allow some airflow and keep the temperature down (my lights were making the tanks a little warm).

For your tank, I would do one or two pieces of glass. It'll be cheaper than buying a glass aquarium lid. NE Herp has great handles that just stick right on.

Cheers,
Alex

[MillerFroggies]

Thanks everyone I am going to try and find a place to get a custom top cut. Until i can get one I am going to use an old glass fish tank top to let the plants grow in for a few months before I put any frogs in and to make sure I can get everything right before i get the little guys.