40gal breeder lid and lighting ?s

beka · Post by **beka** » Sat Oct 26, 2013 1:50 am

So far I've had an extreamly successful 2+yrs with my meathod of covering my tank, but I'm ready to move to something a little more normal/longterm/easier to function with....I know a couple of you have 40galB tanks so where did you buy/what type of lid do you use? I also need lights for both warmth and UVA/UVB rays as they have become accustomed to them since the end of spring. Does this mean I will need the dual black ceramic domes or fluorescent bulbs? I've currently got a way small uth pad on one side but I'm used to using the lights for providing warmth. I'm open to affordable options and suggestions

finalfantasyxii · Post by **finalfantasyxii** » Mon Oct 28, 2013 5:20 am

I personally like acrylic. You can buy it at Home Depot type shops and it's really pretty cheap. Then you just score it with an xacto knife where you want and snap! break it to fit! My husband can even drill holes. I went so far with my 20 gal to get a metal mesh lid (like for reptiles) and cut acrylic to fit and used sticky magnets on the acrylic to make it stay on. It was pretty cool but the moisture loosened most of the magnets. If you used better glue, it would be awesome. I got the idea from the lids they sell at HCP.

beka · Post by **beka** » Mon Oct 28, 2013 6:31 am

I have defiantly read that recommendation on here and the price is so much better. So tell me then, please, what do you use for heat and UVA/UVB bulbs? My bulbs are in aluminum some fixtures which are pretty big but still fit into my tank in the corners and have no access for the crabs. With them I am able to have heat and proper waves. Although yesterday I notice that the UVA bulb is emitting too much heat now that it is inside. The last time it was cold I had a lower wattage non-UVA/b bulb which I don't want to switch back to.

finalfantasyxii · Post by **finalfantasyxii** » Mon Oct 28, 2013 6:56 am

I am so lucky to be in CA where heat is not a huge issue. I have two UTH on the back of the tank, one is small (I got it free with some crabs I rescued) and the other is my big one which is rated for much bigger than my tank. I have an overhead fluorescent light which does seem to give off some heat. I have my UVA/UVB bulb in an aluminum dome reptile lamp thingie but it's on the outside of the tank and I got one which was UV rays but no heat.I had a moon-glo on my 10 gal ISO for a while, on the outside but pointed directly at the side of the tank, just maybe 1/4" away. It heated the glass and, thus, the tank. I thought it worked quite well as a replacement instead of an UTH.