screen tops for bettas?

[Iridescent]

Hi I would like to buy a 10 gallon tank possible with a devider for 2 bettas and I was wondering if there was a cheaper alternative to the $8 screen tops they have for those tanks?

 

[Iridescent]

Never mind, got the idea from another thread for cardboard with holes taped to the top.

 

[daddyfish]

Here's an Idea.
See What U Think.

How about Fiberglass Mesh window Screen almost the Same Stuff they use to Make the Screen Tops.
Cut a little Bigger then the Tank you want to COVER in each direction.
Notch it a bit at each Corner, then Fold it down and Get ya one of those Trash Can Elastic Bands at Wal Mart for a couple of Bucks.
It shouldn't Cost ya more then $4.00, and I think it would be Better then Cardboard, Because it won't Soak Up the Humidity from the Tank like Cardboard will and in the Process Become MOLDY.
VERY VERY Quickly... Just my 2 cents...

 

[wolfrad]

I made a few for my small betta tanks by using the plastic mesh sheets that they use to crotia with, found at walmart for around .40 a sheet. I use those tie strips they use to tighten down cables together with 100 ea. for about 2.00 at walmart. This has worked great for me, plus it's cheap---and you can be quite creative with the stuff.

 

[SRC]

Betta's actually need a solid cover..so that the temperature of the air above the water doesn't get colder then the water itself. They come up to breathe air quite often..breathing cold air (like air conditioned air) can make them quite sick. Having a solid cover will also keep the water temp from fluctuating quite so much.

Using cardboard will only work for so long..as the humidty that builds up inside the bowl will make the cardboard mildew, which can lead to bacterial infections, or worse.

You're best bet it to use something made of solid plastic (like either plexiglass or a bowl lid..some poepel have even used cd's for their bowls) and then cut a small hole in it. You could silicone some of the plastic mesh on the bottom side, if you liked, to ensure that your betta does not jump out of the hole, as they are famous for being able to sqeeze through small gaps.

 

[xamdarb]

i use lizard tops for all my fish because i used to have quite a few and they work nicely