- Totally get the concrete lid thing—mine’s a beast to move, but at least it keeps everything out (except my back pain).
- Not sure if anyone’s tried those newer composite lids? Supposed to be lighter but still seal tight.
- Plastic just seems like a shortcut that ends up being more work... and yeah, nothing like a surprise frog party in the tank.
- I do wonder if there’s a way to make concrete look less like, well, a chunk of sidewalk in the yard. Anyone ever tried painting or camouflaging theirs?
CONCRETE LIDS VS. COMPOSITE: ANYONE REGRET SWITCHING?
I’ve wrestled with those concrete lids too—seriously, why do they always feel heavier every time you have to move them? I’ve heard about the composite ones but haven’t actually seen one in person yet. Do they really hold up over time, or do they get brittle? My uncle swapped his out for a plastic one and he’s always complaining about critters getting in, so I’m a little skeptical about anything that isn’t solid.
As for making the concrete look better, has anyone tried using that faux stone spray paint? I keep seeing it at hardware stores and wonder if it actually sticks to rough concrete, or just flakes off after a few months. Or maybe some kind of low ground cover that spreads around it but doesn’t mess with access? I’d love to know if there’s a way to make it blend in without causing issues when you need to open it up.
And yeah, nothing like opening the lid and finding a whole wildlife convention inside...
nothing like opening the lid and finding a whole wildlife convention inside...
Man, I know that feeling—last time I popped one open, a snake shot out and I nearly dropped the lid on my foot. As for the composite lids, my neighbor put one in last year and it’s holding up fine so far, but he did mention it flexes a bit if you stand on it. Haven’t tried the faux stone spray myself, but I’ve seen it flake off on rougher concrete after a winter or two. If you go the ground cover route, just make sure it’s something easy to pull back—my aunt planted creeping thyme and it’s a pain when you need to get in there.
That’s the thing with those composite lids—they’re lighter, but I’ve seen a few crack after a couple years if you’re not careful where you step. Metal ones last longer but rust like crazy unless you keep them painted. Ever try just mulching around the lid? I find it’s way easier to clear than ground covers or grass, and you’re not fighting roots every time you need access. Wildlife under the lid is a whole other story… found a nest of mice once and nearly jumped out of my boots.
Wildlife under the lid is a whole other story… found a nest of mice once and nearly jumped out of my boots.
Yeah, those critters love the warmth under there. I’ve had snakes curl up around the rim—talk about a surprise. Mulch is a solid call, but I’ve had it wash away after heavy rain. Tried gravel last year, seems to stay put better and keeps weeds down. Metal lids are a pain for rust, but I hit mine with Rustoleum every spring and it’s holding up. Composite just feels flimsy, honestly.
