question about vera top and airholes/escaping protection

[isadoraisacat]

Hey everyone, I'm trying to figure out how many air holes and how big I should put in the clear light blue strip on my vesa top
i just got, before installing. Originally i was going to go with the mesh lid and putting the glass hinged top on top of the tank with clips (for escape protection)
so far this is my set up, and everything is working well as far as temps/humidity. I think i want to switch because there is no way for me to make bubblers
in my pools with out having something i can cut to run the tubes under. This blue strip will allow me to do that and as far as i know theres no need for air holes
once thats created. The issue is I won't be able to set that up until next week (im low on money) for now i'd like to just get it set up but i clearly need airholes so how many should i poke and how large should they be so the crabs can get enough air. Next question, the lid just rests on top of the tank, how can i make sure the guys can't lift or get out of the tank with this kind of lid? i'm used to either reptile tanks with sliding locking lids or clips to hold the mesh lid down. any help is appreciated thanks!

[soilentgringa]

You don't need air holes.

Opening the lid to feed them will be sufficient until you get your bubblers installed. They breathe through modified gills so no need to worry.

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[isadoraisacat]

You don't need air holes.

Opening the lid to feed them will be sufficient until you get your bubblers installed. They breathe through modified gills so no need to worry.

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ok but just curious than why do people suggestion to keep a certain portion of
a mesh lid covered for air than? if thats the case just curious?

[soilentgringa]

Some people do this if they constantly have issues with mold growth and high humidity. Or if they use a heat lamp and must leave portions of the lid unwrapped to avoid a fire hazard due to melting plastic.

Not every single person is going to do everything the exact same way.

The care guides are here to provide recommendations and general guidelines, but as has been stated before, there is room for variance and what works for one person doesn't always work for another.

There are a few criteria that must be met as far as temps/humidity/non toxic foods/deep substrate, but other than that, you aren't bound by one specific brand or product or method.



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[isadoraisacat]

Some people do this if they constantly have issues with mold growth and high humidity. Or if they use a heat lamp and must leave portions of the lid unwrapped to avoid a fire hazard due to melting plastic.

Not every single person is going to do everything the exact same way.

The care guides are here to provide recommendations and general guidelines, but as has been stated before, there is room for variance and what works for one person doesn't always work for another.

There are a few criteria that must be met as far as temps/humidity/non toxic foods/deep substrate, but other than that, you aren't bound by one specific brand or product or method.



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gotcha still doesn't answer the question of how to ensure the lid
is locked down so no one can escape. i'm not 100 % happy with
it just 'resting' on top like that with out it locking in some how.

[Crabinski]

gotcha still doesn't answer the question of how to ensure the lid is locked down so no one can escape. i'm not 100 % happy with
it just 'resting' on top like that with out it locking in some how.

That lid is resting on the recessed lip of the tank and is very secure simply due to its weight. I have the Marineland version of the VersaTop and made just one modification at the back to ensure no one leaves without permission. I cut a small square in the back corner for the bubbler air tubes and then used clear plastic packing tape to secure that plastic strip to the back edge of the tank. Before I taped the back down, my large crab, Big Enzo, managed to push up the strip in one corner and climb out onto the lid; fortunately, he just sat there and I spotted him quickly, picked him up and popped him back in the tank. He often climbs right along the front edge of the tank and tries to push up the lid at various points but cannot make it budge. If Big Enzo can't get out, no one can!

[isadoraisacat]

Yeah that's a big concern someone squeezing out

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[isadoraisacat]

I was thinking could put tape over it to seal it that may work

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[Kermie16]

Have to admit, I have had the same fear! Lol! Our LED aquarium light sits above the back half of the tank so even if the crab would try to lift it, he may be able to lift it a little but the light is too heavy to lift totally. For the front half, I keep our FW spray bottle on top (also just convenient to have it there) and on the second versatop I have a fairly decent sized reptile feeding dish I got for free

[Rawrgeous]

If you're super concerned- that's nothing a big book won't fix to give you some peace of mind.


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[isadoraisacat]

If you're super concerned- that's nothing a big book won't fix to give you some peace of mind.


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yeah i think im going to put the spray bottle and possibly a book or something on top of it.