Environmental Control & Metering

Aquarium Glass Top Modification - Quick & easy method:
The simplest & least expensive way to use a Glass Top on a live vivarium is by pairing it with a standard metal screen terrarium lid. Once you've selected which panel(s) you'll be using to help hold in humidity/heat (usually only 1-2 of the 3), set the top into the aquarium rim, and place a Fluker's Screen Top over it. The glass lid will fit into the inset lip of the aquarium and the screen top fits on the outside rim, so they can both fit without contacting each other. This method blocks some light, so be sure to select an appropriate Vivarium Lighting Kit! Also, if your animal species is smaller than the gap between the screen and glass top, it may be worth adding a single line of adhesive insulation strip from a hardware store between the two parts to ensure the animal won't get stuck between the two. This method is not recommended if you are caring for an animal which relies on a diet of small insects (fruit flies, tiny crickets, etc), since the Fluker's screen tops aren't considered "fruit fly proof".

Aquarium Glass Top Modification - How we'd do it:
Up for a challenge? The top style we recommend & use in-house allows for plenty of light, prevents feeder insect escape, and only takes a couple hours of extra labor. This method removes one or more of the plastic or glass panels from the Glass Top and replaces it with a custom made screen frame. Screen frame kits are available from most hardware stores, and the process is pretty straightforward if you've got a hacksaw (or better). Simply install the area of the glass top you plan to use, measure the remaining open space, and build your Screen Frame Kit (using the kit's instructions) to fit. Once fitted, you can install our screen separator as the actual screen material using Screen Spline & a Spline Tool from the hardware store. Remaining gaps around the screen frame can then be filled with beads of aquarium safe silicone, and all excess silicone can be wiped off using latex gloves. (Residual silicone residue can always be scraped off with a razor later!) Once cured, you'll be able to open the enclosure on the glass side, while the screen remains in place. This project is considered "difficult", and shouldn't be attempted unless you are comfortable with a pretty hands-on DIY project involving cutting aluminum framing, sanding down aluminum edges, fitting/mounting screen, and working with silicone to create custom seals.