Exo Terra Top-FF proof glass top / Air flow bracket

Knoxter · 05-01-2009, 11:25 AM

Hi Guys and gals,

I just wanted to share how I FF proofed the top of my Exos

First I removed the stock screen top and cut away the tabs with a Drummel Tool.

Pulled off with pliers

And smoothed over the cuts

I then cut a piece of glass that fit snuggly into the top of the tank. I made a a 3" cut in the glass across the front of the tank for the air flow bracket. Be sure to save the 3" pce of glass to put over the air flow bracket to adjust the amount of airflow.

To make the air flow bracket, I used window screen trim. I cut it with a miter saw, or use a hack saw.

Plastic corner brackets

The plastic corner brackets have to be cut to fit the smaller parts of the bracket. Here I used the Drummel Tool again.

Completed ff bracket without screen

This is how I added the screen. I cut a pce of stainless steel mesh. Easiest to add put a pce of tape prior to cutting to reduce splintering.

Then I used a glue gun to secure the screen in place.

Finished product.

Once everything in in place it should fit snug. If not, you have the option of placing a bead of silicone around the entire top to close up any little spaces, or leave it as is. You can also either drill a hole in the glass or screen for misting nozzles.

Enjoy folks. Hope this helps.

Socalsam · 05-01-2009, 11:34 AM

Good thread Marc! I was gonna do that exact samething but, i decided i didnt want to cute the pieces off the Exo so i just bought a piece of glass to cover the top completely. Works great to. I am going to start making Fruit Fly Screen Inserts for Tanks. So if anyone needs one

. Just curious do you have probs with Melago's getting out threw the open sides on the Exo's?

Knoxter · 05-01-2009, 11:38 AM

No, I haven't had any probs with them getting out. And some of the flies I have are tiny, like ants. That's funny. I made a few extra tops too. I plan to sell them when I am sure I am not going to need them.

Marc

socaled · 05-01-2009, 04:53 PM

Looks great Marc.... So theres no condensation in the front because of the screen huh... Whats the humid around 80%

jpg · 05-01-2009, 06:24 PM

Cool method Marc .

I thought you were a swell guy until the empathis of the NY hat , booooo

Knoxter · 05-01-2009, 07:20 PM

Yeah, I'm a Yankees fan. Didn't realize that was in there, but what the hell. Why not represent. As for the humidity, surprisingly it stays between 90-100%.

That's with the bracket uncovered. I can always adjust the glass over the bracket to increase or decrease the humidity.

Marc

Socalsam · 05-01-2009, 09:59 PM

Ya Melano's look like ants to me. I only ask because I feed my Terrabilis Hydei and those guys get out threw the cracks.Hydei are faster movers than the melanos so they can climb faster than the frogs can eat.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knoxter

No, I haven't had any probs with them getting out. And some of the flies I have are tiny, like ants. That's funny. I made a few extra tops too. I plan to sell them when I am sure I am not going to need them.

Marc

socaled · 05-06-2009, 12:43 AM

Great Thread Marc thanks for the info many needed this very much....

-Angeles

Imperial_Darts · 02-15-2010, 06:26 PM

Very nice.

I purchased several Exo's before I realized how "wide open" they were around the front glass. My experience with FF's have been they will escape even the slightest of openings, so mine currently sit unused awaiting a method of fly proofing them.

D3monic · 02-16-2010, 09:52 AM

After visiting several forums I have found a couple of fixes. For gap in the doors cut a piece of airline tubing the length of the door hieght. Then slide a pair of scissors into and split it up the middle. Then slide into space in door. When you open and close the door the tubing will flex with the moving door keeping it sealed similar to a gasket. For the front vent you can pop the vent cover off and either line it with a mesh- 200 micron should allow air flow but stop any critters or you can stuff it with a thin sponge material. Then just snap the grill back into place.

Thanks for the write up on the lid. I wish either exo or one of the major suppliers would make and sell the glass tops for exo like they do for the 10gal tanks.

BTW I am new here and to the hobby. Just setting up my first Viv.

05-01-2009, 11:25 AM	#1 (permalink)
Knoxter Administrator/SiteOwner Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: USA Posts: 430 Real Name: Marc Knox	Exo Terra Top-FF proof glass top / Air flow bracket Hi Guys and gals, I just wanted to share how I FF proofed the top of my Exos First I removed the stock screen top and cut away the tabs with a Drummel Tool. Pulled off with pliers And smoothed over the cuts I then cut a piece of glass that fit snuggly into the top of the tank. I made a a 3" cut in the glass across the front of the tank for the air flow bracket. Be sure to save the 3" pce of glass to put over the air flow bracket to adjust the amount of airflow. To make the air flow bracket, I used window screen trim. I cut it with a miter saw, or use a hack saw. Plastic corner brackets The plastic corner brackets have to be cut to fit the smaller parts of the bracket. Here I used the Drummel Tool again. Completed ff bracket without screen This is how I added the screen. I cut a pce of stainless steel mesh. Easiest to add put a pce of tape prior to cutting to reduce splintering. Then I used a glue gun to secure the screen in place. Finished product. Once everything in in place it should fit snug. If not, you have the option of placing a bead of silicone around the entire top to close up any little spaces, or leave it as is. You can also either drill a hole in the glass or screen for misting nozzles. Enjoy folks. Hope this helps. __________________ Marc My frogs- Vanzolini, El Dorado (ong&gold), Cayo de Agua, Almerante, Gold Dust, Yuris, Imis, Inters, Taras, O Lamasi, Iquitos Vents, Varis, SI. I appreciate everyone here. Without you, there would be no DFF. Thank you for your support.

05-01-2009, 11:34 AM	#2 (permalink)
Socalsam Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Murrieta, Ca Posts: 431 Real Name: Sam Cavoulas	Good thread Marc! I was gonna do that exact samething but, i decided i didnt want to cute the pieces off the Exo so i just bought a piece of glass to cover the top completely. Works great to. I am going to start making Fruit Fly Screen Inserts for Tanks. So if anyone needs one . Just curious do you have probs with Melago's getting out threw the open sides on the Exo's? __________________ A few frogs.

05-01-2009, 11:38 AM	#3 (permalink)
Knoxter Administrator/SiteOwner Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: USA Posts: 430 Real Name: Marc Knox	No, I haven't had any probs with them getting out. And some of the flies I have are tiny, like ants. That's funny. I made a few extra tops too. I plan to sell them when I am sure I am not going to need them. Marc __________________ Marc My frogs- Vanzolini, El Dorado (ong&gold), Cayo de Agua, Almerante, Gold Dust, Yuris, Imis, Inters, Taras, O Lamasi, Iquitos Vents, Varis, SI. I appreciate everyone here. Without you, there would be no DFF. Thank you for your support.

05-01-2009, 07:20 PM	#6 (permalink)
Knoxter Administrator/SiteOwner Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: USA Posts: 430 Real Name: Marc Knox	Yeah, I'm a Yankees fan. Didn't realize that was in there, but what the hell. Why not represent. As for the humidity, surprisingly it stays between 90-100%. That's with the bracket uncovered. I can always adjust the glass over the bracket to increase or decrease the humidity. Marc __________________ Marc My frogs- Vanzolini, El Dorado (ong&gold), Cayo de Agua, Almerante, Gold Dust, Yuris, Imis, Inters, Taras, O Lamasi, Iquitos Vents, Varis, SI. I appreciate everyone here. Without you, there would be no DFF. Thank you for your support.

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05-01-2009, 04:53 PM	#4 (permalink)
socaled Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 350	Looks great Marc.... So theres no condensation in the front because of the screen huh... Whats the humid around 80%

05-01-2009, 06:24 PM	#5 (permalink)
jpg Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Webster MA. Posts: 92	Cool method Marc . I thought you were a swell guy until the empathis of the NY hat , booooo

05-06-2009, 12:43 AM	#8 (permalink)
socaled Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 350	Great Thread Marc thanks for the info many needed this very much.... -Angeles

02-15-2010, 06:26 PM	#9 (permalink)
Imperial_Darts Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Orange California Posts: 4 Real Name: Steve	Very nice. I purchased several Exo's before I realized how "wide open" they were around the front glass. My experience with FF's have been they will escape even the slightest of openings, so mine currently sit unused awaiting a method of fly proofing them.

02-16-2010, 09:52 AM	#10 (permalink)
D3monic Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 4	After visiting several forums I have found a couple of fixes. For gap in the doors cut a piece of airline tubing the length of the door hieght. Then slide a pair of scissors into and split it up the middle. Then slide into space in door. When you open and close the door the tubing will flex with the moving door keeping it sealed similar to a gasket. For the front vent you can pop the vent cover off and either line it with a mesh- 200 micron should allow air flow but stop any critters or you can stuff it with a thin sponge material. Then just snap the grill back into place. Thanks for the write up on the lid. I wish either exo or one of the major suppliers would make and sell the glass tops for exo like they do for the 10gal tanks. BTW I am new here and to the hobby. Just setting up my first Viv.