Need a bit of advice on substrate for new tank

[ConcinusMan]

Rofl...

I have the heavy things sitting on top of the cover...I tried the clips...next step is just to buy the tank with the lock lid when I get the money.

They only last a few years and then the clips break, leaving a small gap. The plastic isn't very durable. Inevitably, they get brittle and sort of just fall off.

The clip method isn't very convenient but will last longer. You have to use one at each end and one on each side. Just bend them to adjust for a tight fit.

[ConcinusMan]

Speaking of securing cage tops...what do you guys do to secure tank tops? Seely is currently trying his hardest to find a way out of the top of his...

These clips at petco, combined with the screen tops they sell at standard sizes are very secure. It's just that there's no instructions for the dang clips. I did finally figure out how to use them. You have to bend them till they form a "V" shape instead of an "L". I have no idea what the two small pieces are for. I just use the big pieces. You need 4 clips (2 packages) per top. If you figure out how to use these clips, you don't need to weigh down the screen.

clips: Petco Reptile Screen Cover Security Clips at PETCO

screens: Screen Covers from PETCO.com

[chris-uk]

At the moment with Vlad in a temporary RUB... I its not actually a RUB, but a similar sort of plastic box without the locking handles. So when I was drilling the air holes I put a hole in each corner of the lip and the lid gets secured with cable ties, I sleep a lot better not relying on the flimsy locking on the RUB.
For a while I was paranoid enough that I put a cable tie through the locking hole of our ExoTerra, but I got over that and have faith in the door latch now.