DIY Stock Tank Cover?

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Brewster320

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Aug 6, 2010
172
0
31
Mass, USA
I've been needing to get a stock tank for my res and two painteds and I want to be able to put it outside during the spring and summer however there are plenty of predators in my neighborhood, had a fisher take my rabbits a few years ago and a coopers hawk took out one of my chickens a few months ago. On top of that I've seen raccoons, opossums, skunks, coyotes, a great horned owl, red tailed hawks, cats, dogs, and both red and gray foxes. So I want to make sure they are safe. I would love to see what people have maid for their stock tanks and to get some advice. Thanks a ton
 
Acrylic and a dremel? Worked for my twenty gallon lol.
 
Younglin;4869984; said:
Acrylic and a dremel? Worked for my twenty gallon lol.


A stock tank might be too big for that.:grinno: King of expensive too. And sunlight + acrylic or glass = no UV which is bad.

I used a simple pressure treated 2x4 frame with like chicken wire over it. Its easy enough to take on and off, but heavy enough that nothing will get into it. I also had to make one in a pinch once before a vacation and I made the same frame, and used some white plastic fencing stuff i had laying around for it. Doesn't let as much light through as I would like, but it works, which is good for me.
 
I was mostly kidding. I hadn't considered the sunlight factor though.
 
I agree with the 2X4 and some sort of fencing. You could probably even bolt some sort of latches to the rim of the stock tank to make it extra secure
 
Joe M;4871215; said:
A stock tank might be too big for that.:grinno: King of expensive too. And sunlight + acrylic or glass = no UV which is bad.

I used a simple pressure treated 2x4 frame with like chicken wire over it. Its easy enough to take on and off, but heavy enough that nothing will get into it. I also had to make one in a pinch once before a vacation and I made the same frame, and used some white plastic fencing stuff i had laying around for it. Doesn't let as much light through as I would like, but it works, which is good for me.

I'd be more worried about Sunlight + Acrylic = makeshift Magnifying Glass = Turtle soup........
 
There are a number of reasons why you would not want to use any form of acrylic/plexiglas/etc...

I suggest using medium guage screen with 1/2" squares/holes... held together by a 2x2 frame...

There are a couple holes predrilled in the rim of the stock tank, you could add a couple more and simply drop bolts through the screen and into these holes. This would require the lid to be lifted straight up (or the bolts removed) to remove the top preventing an animal from having hte ability to knock the top off...
 
Really simple - Get Galvanized Goat or Pig wire - Usually comes in 16'x60" lengths - You can either cut to fit, or cut to fit, then bend the sides at a 90 Degree angle - You'll have a predator proof top.......No frames or anything else needed.......
 
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