How do you lock down an aquarium lid so that a student with AU does not get into the water?

Question

I teach in a self contained high school classroom. One of my students is strong and he is AU with a facination with water. I am trying to find a way to lock my aquarium lid down so that he cannot take it off and stick his face under. It does not have to be completely covered because we want to work with him on not splashing the water. Right now it wrapped with bungee cords over and under and locked in the back but he is strong enough and smart enough to figure out how to push and manipulate those until the lid comes off. Any idea would help. There's only one catfish so far. We can't put anything else in until we figure out what to do. TY.

Answer 1

Make a big wood box with a lid on top and a padlock. Cut a square out of the front of the box like a TV screen. Place the aquarium inside the box so that the "TV" screen is full of the aquarium for viewing. Keep the box padlocked until you need to maintain and feed the fish and can attend closely while the water danger is not secured.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

You might have to get someone to fabricate a securable lid for you. Remember that it has to be something that won't taint the water from splashing or condensation drips, so metals and wood are out. I would use thick acrylic, but can be expensive - perhaps could get a local plastics supplier to make a material donation, maybe even fabricate it for you. If this is a high school, why not put it to a shop, physics, design or drafting, or even (if you have them) an engineering class. I have designed lids to keep people out of display aquariums and blue-ringed and giant pacific octopuses in, but can't really do that in this forum for you.

P.S. if the span (size of the top) is pretty big, even 3/4 inch acrylic will eventually sag and differentially expand and contract if it isn't supported properly.

Answer 4

You can get a thick sheet of plexiglass drilled with dime sized holes that can be fastened on to the top of the aquarium and locked with a little padlock. The plexiglass means the fish can be viewed from the top, the water is still exposed to air and the fish can be fed from the top.
It would look something like a pirate's chest (only clear) with a pair of bands around it and the little padlock keeping the bands in place.
I wish I could draw out what I mean, I'm not sure I'm explaining it too well....

Answer 5

Sounds easier than securing it so an adult octopus can't get OUT! -