The 6 Best Vivarium Canopies for Your Pet Today - AZ Animals
One thing that many pet owners ignore while keeping a reptile, amphibian, or fish indoors is how important it is to get a suitable lid (canopy) for their pet's vivarium. This might seem like a trivial thing to focus on, but the proper vivarium canopy makes all the difference. As a matter of fact, if your canopy isn't equipped specifically for your pet, it could lead to several issues, such as:
- Poor ventilation
- Insufficient light
- Insufficient or excessive heat
- A reptile break-out
- Other pets, such as cats, breaking in
So, if your reptile vivarium canopy is not suitable for your pet, you may need to upgrade it in order to ensure your pet is getting the care it needs. If you are unsure of where to find the best canopy, don't worry! Here's a list of the best vivarium canopies that you can buy.
Check Amazon- Made with a durable, steel frame.
- Easy to install and remove.
- Available in multiple sizes, from 12 by 6 inches to 48 by 18 inches.
Check Amazon- Contains lights to provide basking spots.
- Lights are 15 watts.
- Advertised as providing optimal levels of ultraviolet, visual light, and heat in one canopy.
Check Amazon- Fits one side of 75-, 90-, and 110-gallon fish tanks.
- Made from tempered glass.
- Reduces evaporation.
Check Amazon- Available in three wattages: 24, 39, and 54.
- Desert UVB T5 lamp included.
- Removable power cable with on/off switch.
A-Z-Animals' Top Picks for the Best Vivarium Canopies
#1 Best Overall: Zilla Reptile Terrarium Fresh Air Screen Cover
Our pick for the #1 Best Overall canopy, the Zilla Reptile Terrarium Fresh Air Screen Cover, is a steel-framed canopy for a vivarium that is available in several different sizes. This mesh cover allows air to pass through, all while keeping out larger pets such as cats and dogs. This simple vivarium canopy is made well and has durable steel components. It can also withstand high temperatures, so you don't have to worry about fire hazards when you place a heat lamp over it. Also, it has heavy-duty clips to keep it fixed in place and it's easy to remove.
It's available for 20, 40, 50, and 65-gallon vivariums. While the product is high quality, the mesh is relatively thin and will likely break over time, especially if you place heavy lamps on top of it.
With over 13,000 reviews and an overall 4.7-star rating, you can rest assured that you're getting a high-quality screen cover for your pet.
Pros and Cons of Zilla Reptile Terrarium Fresh Air Screen Cover
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This terrarium cover is available in multiple sizes. | The mesh is relatively thin and will likely break if you place heavy items on it. |
| It's easy to remove. | It does not include lamps. |
| It's reasonably priced. | It's only compatible with rectangular vivariums. |
Best Overall
2. Best Canopy With Lamps: Exo Terra Dual Top Canopy for Exo Terra Terrariums
The Exo Terra Dual Top Canopy for Exo Terra Terrariums is an 18-inch wide terrarium canopy with UV and heat lamp fittings included. It is one of the best options because it makes life much easier for reptile owners since everything is included. It has two hoods, two fluorescent tube lights, and a heat lamp in the middle. These are all white light sources that fit 15-watt light bulbs.
The canopy also comes in two sizes: 18 and 24 inches in width. The larger one can withstand a higher voltage of up to 230 volts and contain E26 halogen bulbs. They also have a sliding rim on the side for accessories if you wish to add any to your vivarium. One issue with this vivarium canopy is that the bulbs can only be purchased through the Exo Terra website.
This vivarium canopy is a bit pricey, but the fact that it includes all of the lighting you will need for your pet makes it worth the price.
It does not include a screen cover.
Pros and Cons of Exo Terra Dual Top Canopy for Exo Terra Terrariums
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This canopy provides the optimal level of UV light for most reptiles | It does not include a screen cover. |
| It has both UV lamps and a heat lamp. | It can overheat quickly. |
| You'll also need to invest in a screen cover to prevent your reptile from escaping. |
Best Canopy With Lamps
3. Best Heavy Duty Canopy: Zilla Metal Screen Cover Black 48 x18
The Zilla Metal Screen Cover Black 48″ x 18″ is a durable vivarium canopy option that is simple and affordable. Its mesh is thin enough to allow air to flow through it but is also strong enough to prevent your pet from escaping. Since it is made of metal, it can also withstand high temperatures from any added light or heat sources to help your pet monitor their body temperature. The canopy also has pre-drilled holes that allow you to easily adjust it to the top of your vivarium. Overall, this metal canopy is very escape-proof and durable.
It is a relatively cheaper option than most other heavy-duty vivarium canopies in our list.
Some reviewers said that the locking mechanisms are a bit finicky and may break.
Pros and Cons of Metal Screen Cover Black 48 x 18
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The mesh is thin enough to allow air flow but strong enough to keep your pet from escaping. | It's only available in one size. |
| It measures 48″ x 18″. | Some reviewers said that the locking mechanisms are a bit finicky and may break. |
| It's made of metal and can withstand high temperatures from light and heat sources. | |
| It has pre-drilled holes so you can easily adjust it to the top of your vivarium. | |
| It's less expensive than most other canopies on our list. |
4. Best Glass Cover: H2Pro Glass Canopy
H2Pro Glass Canopy is a 22.08″ x 16.57″ x 0.16″ glass canopy with a blue-ish tint. It has a clear strip on it, which allows the glass to be slideable. It reduces evaporation from the tank and keeps the moisture within the tank balanced. The high-quality tempered glass structure is shatterproof, so it will not break easily. However, this may not be the best option if you plan to use a heat lamp for your pet, since the glass may break if it gets too hot.
This tank cover is well suited for fish and amphibians but not for reptiles, since reptiles will need more ventilation than the cover offers.
This glass canopy is a bit pricey compared to other options because it's made of glass.
Pros and Cons of H2Pro Glass Canopy
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It's crafted from high-quality tempered glass. | It isn't a good option for reptiles because a heat lamp may cause the glass to break. |
| Has a convenient sliding opener | Glass can be scratched easily. |
| It measures 22.08″ x 16.57″ x 0.16″. | It is expensive. |
Best Glass Cover
5. Best UVB Option: REPTI ZOO, Terrarium Hood Comes with Desert 10.0 UVB T5 Lamp (24W)
The REPTI ZOO, Terrarium Hood Comes with Desert 10.0 UVB T5 Lamp (24W) comes with a UVB lamp that is perfect for reptiles or other species that require external heat and a light source to help speed up their metabolism and bodily functions. This hood can be fitted on easily and is a particularly suitable option for species that commonly live in the desert. It comes with an on/off switch and is easily removable. The hood is also available in three power options — 24, 39, and 54 watts — so you can use it based on your requirements.
Some reviewers said that the UV output of these bulbs is inadequate. In addition, several mentioned that the bulbs didn't last long.
Pros and Cons of REPTI ZOO T5 HO UVB Lighting Combo Kit, Terrarium Hood Come with Desert 10.0 UVB T5 Lamp (24W)
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This hood includes a UVB lamp that's ideal for pets that require external heat and a light source to thrive. | Bulbs in the lamp don't last long. |
| The hood is easy to install and remove and includes an on/off switch. | The UV output may be inadequate. |
| It's available in 24, 39, and 54 watts. | It is rather pricey. |
Best UVB Option
6. Best Option With a Feeding Door: Zilla Fresh Air Screen Cover with Hinge
The Zilla Fresh Air Screen Cover with Hinge is a vivarium canopy with a hinged door that allows you to feed your pet without having to completely open the tank. The canopy has metal mesh that keeps the tank well-ventilated and prevents your pet from escaping. It comes in one size, 10 inches by 20 inches. Overall, if you wish to make feeding your pet convenient, this might be the best option for you.
Pros and Cons of Zilla Fresh Air Screen Cover with Hinge
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This screen cover has a small door with a hinge to allow for easy feeding. | It's only available in one size. |
| It's made of sturdy metal mesh. |
Criteria: What to Look for in Vivarium Canopies
When looking for a canopy for your pet, you should look for the following features in the canopy you need to consider the following criterion:
- Type of animal
- Durability
- Security
- Ventilation
- Ability to let light in
Let's take a look at each of these criterion.
Type of Animals
There are three main types of vivariums: aquariums, terrariums, and paludariums. Aquariums house aquatic creatures and plants, terrariums house land-dwelling creatures and plants, and paludariums house both aquatic and land creatures and plants.
The specific canopy requirements will vary depending on whether you have an aquarium, terrarium, or paludarium, what type of creatures are housed in the enclosure, whether you have curious pets such as cats that may try to access the enclosure, what the lighting requirements for the creatures and plants are, whether ventilation is required, and whether it's important that the material be rust-proof or rust-resistant.
Durability
Durability has to do with the materials that the made of, such as steel or glass, if it's well made, if it's rust- or corrosion-proof, and similar factors.
Security
A secure vivarium canopy will be escape-proof but will allow you easy access to your pets and their environment for feeding, cleaning, and other maintenance. Keep in mind that some reptiles have very sharp claws that could widen holes in mesh facilitating their escape. You also need to ensure that their claws can't get caught in the mesh, which could lead to them getting injured.
Ventilation
Many vivariums include side ventilation (usually some sort of mesh or screen) that's built into the enclosure itself. Top ventilation requirement vary depending on whether the vivarium has side ventilation and if the enclosure is being used as an aquarium, terrarium, or a paludarium. For the latter two, some top ventilation, again, usually in the form of a mesh or screen, is usually essential.
Ability to Let Light In
Ensure that the mesh or screen doesn't obstruct any lights that you've set up, such as UVA or UVB, for your pet. Also, be careful that glass canopies don't focus light in a way that will overheat the vivarium.
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