Input for acrylic tank mod needed!!

Hi all,
I just picked up a 55 gal acrylic aquarium (I know, they're for fish :)). Anywho, it was a COMPLETE steal, came with a really cool rustic 'log' type stand (which I plan on refinishing), so I couldn't pass it up. So here's my question, although I'm pretty sure I already know the answer: is there any way I can set up my 75 watt CHE above the acrylic lid? I'd really like to avoid cutting a an opening for my lamp, if at all possible. Oh I probably should have mentioned I plan on turning it on it's side to utilize the bigger floor space offered. I'm going to make two downward-hinged doors on the front side (former top). Don't worry, I'll post pics of the process :cool: I'll take some pics to post here as well for you visual people, but it's dark now and I don't feel like running outside to take em lol. Thanks in advance!

Ok so now that I think about it, I may not even need my CHE with an acrylic... I'm so used to needing it with my current set up. I got suckered into a 3-screened glass tank that I've turned on it's side and blocked 2/3 sides to help hold humidity and temps.

You are going to have to cut a hole, acrylic just can't take that kind of heat.

I would suggest that you do something like this:

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...t/d4e31f62.jpg

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...ant/photo5.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

You are going to have to cut a hole, acrylic just can't take that kind of heat.

I would suggest that you do something like this:

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...t/d4e31f62.jpg

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...ant/photo5.jpg

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Oooh that's nice! I've never worked with acrylic, so I'm definitely going to get some scraps to practice on.

So I've been working on my tank, here's what I've got so far.
Tank and stand before any refinishing:
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/01/06/ehuvejuv.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/01/06/ysazagez.jpg
My kitty helping me clean it :)
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/01/06/ege9e2a4.jpg
Layout of where the drop down doors are going to be:
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/01/06/aveze4en.jpg
Door frames in progress:
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/01/06/dudu6a6u.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/01/06/enesy2e9.jpg

Any input would be great!! Thanks

Oh man that's awesome... I don't have any advice but I was thinking of doing something similar for a red tail that I wanna get.... How well does plexiglass/acrylic hold temps.... Does it have any insulating properties?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by royal constrictor

Oh man that's awesome... I don't have any advice but I was thinking of doing something similar for a red tail that I wanna get.... How well does plexiglass/acrylic hold temps.... Does it have any insulating properties?

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Thanks! I'm super excited about it. Unfortunately the stain didn't fully dry, who knew it would take over 48 hours!?!? Well, I guess I would have if I actually looked at the label lol. I was trying to be efficient(read:lazy) using spray stain, which sounds great in theory, but it's super oily, takes forever to dry and is a bit too opaque for me. Plus it's smudged now, so I had to sand and re-spray. Ugh. Lol but it should be fully dry now,so I'm going to work on it before work today. As for temps and humidity, I hear that it holds pretty well, at least compared to glass and screen tanks (which I currently have). I've been having issues with humidity, so hopefully this will solve my problems. I'm leaving the top intact, so I think I should be good temp and humidity wise. I'll let you know when I get around to doing the dry run. Whew that was long! Thanks for reading though :)


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Ugh I getting super frustrated with this project!!! Definitely thought it would be set up by now and getting ready to put Toby in :'( I broke not one but TWO screws inside of the acrylic. Well, one was a screw, the other was a drill bit lol. And I was dumb and forgot to fold back the sharp edges on one of the doors, so I had to coat them with an epoxy so no one gets hurt. I've got to wait another 24 hrs before that finally cures and I can attach the door. Oh and due to the snapped off screw, I had to switch from drop-down doors to swing out ones. This is why I'm not a carpenter!!! Lol sorry I had to vent. My next DIY enclosure will be made entirely of wood!!!

Fish tanks, glass or acrylic suck for heating heat. That being said I have a few laying on there side lol. I keep mine in a room heated to 80 degrees and I also have flexwatt on 50% of the floor set to 86 degrees. Anyway what I did was use locktite construction adhesive to hold 1x3 frame work to the outside of the tank. I used plexi as sliding doors and screwed 1x2s to the 1x3s to keep it in place. Also picked up display case locks to secure the doors.

http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7b9fb20e.jpg

Hope that offers a lil help

So if plexiglass, acrylic, and glass suck for holding in heat what would u suggest? An all wood enclosure except for the doors? And then mayb some type of laminate tile to place over the heat tape?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by royal constrictor

So if plexiglass, acrylic, and glass suck for holding in heat what would u suggest? An all wood enclosure except for the doors? And then mayb some type of laminate tile to place over the heat tape?

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Yes.
Pvcx is also great at holding in heat.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by H.o.F.R

Fish tanks, glass or acrylic suck for heating heat. That being said I have a few laying on there side lol. I keep mine in a room heated to 80 degrees and I also have flexwatt on 50% of the floor set to 86 degrees. Anyway what I did was use locktite construction adhesive to hold 1x3 frame work to the outside of the tank. I used plexi as sliding doors and screwed 1x2s to the 1x3s to keep it in place. Also picked up display case locks to secure the doors.

http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7b9fb20e.jpg

Hope that offers a lil help

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Ooh I hate you! Why couldn't you have posted before I started? Lol kidding. That's beautifully simple. I can't believe I didn't think of doing that for sliding doors. Would've made my little project about 100 times easier/faster and I could've been done 2 weeks ago. I had this vision in my head, and obviously it's not coming out how I planned haha. I'm definitely doing more research on my next project. How well did the locktite work? I tried liquid nails at first, and that was a waste of 48 hours waiting for that bad boy to dry. Thanks so much for your input! I'm definitely going to keep your design in mind for my next project :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bobbafett

Yes.
Pvcx is also great at holding in heat.

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Quick question, what was the 'yes' in reference to? All of the above? If so, what type of laminate tile? Like the cheapo sticky kind you put in kitchens? Or the thicker laminate? I've heard of people using slate-type tiles over a UTH, do you know how well those tend to work? Sorry for the barrage of questions lol.

I have two 55 gal and a 75 gal all done that way with the lock tite and they seem to be holding great. Just remember if you do it this way that you will need to put a piece of scrape wood on the bottom in the back other wise the tank sits at an angle and all of the substrate gets shoved to the back by your snake. Also I used "I" hooks and fishing line to hold the wood frame tight while the locktite cured over night. I tried it a long time ago with liquid nails and it didnt seem to hold up to well. Im fairly confident that the locktite is holding much better. Make sure that it is the construction adhesive type. its a medium grey color when you apply it. I believe it says in the listing of uses that its good for mirrors and glass which is what made me try it. I have actually picked up one of the 55's by the wood frame to move it after using the locktite. I just picked up a 150 gal tall that i'm considering doing the same thing with. I'll try to remember to post it in the DIY threads if i do. Good luck!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by H.o.F.R

I have two 55 gal and a 75 gal all done that way with the lock tite and they seem to be holding great. Just remember if you do it this way that you will need to put a piece of scrape wood on the bottom in the back other wise the tank sits at an angle and all of the substrate gets shoved to the back by your snake. Also I used "I" hooks and fishing line to hold the wood frame tight while the locktite cured over night. I tried it a long time ago with liquid nails and it didnt seem to hold up to well. Im fairly confident that the locktite is holding much better. Make sure that it is the construction adhesive type. its a medium grey color when you apply it. I believe it says in the listing of uses that its good for mirrors and glass which is what made me try it. I have actually picked up one of the 55's by the wood frame to move it after using the locktite. I just picked up a 150 gal tall that i'm considering doing the same thing with. I'll try to remember to post it in the DIY threads if i do. Good luck!

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Wow that stuff seems pretty sturdy! I might have to invest in some. The liquid nails is crap lol. How long ago were the tanks built? I'm curious on the longevity of locktite.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by royal constrictor

So if plexiglass, acrylic, and glass suck for holding in heat what would u suggest? An all wood enclosure except for the doors? And then mayb some type of laminate tile to place over the heat tape?

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No I recommend solid Melamine racks and sterelite tubs but if you want some thing a little more display like then out of the choices Plexi or acrylic would be better than glass at holding the heat. I'm making racks for this size tubs (pictured) in the near future. They are available in most walmarts around christmas time every year and cost $29. I bought 6 for my boas and will be building two stacks of 3.

http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/...pse9a4177b.jpg

Allrighty, so the tank is FINALLY done lol. My little Toby is happy and exploring his new abode. I'm still waiting on my other hide to dry, but that should be added to the tank very shortly.
Here's a shot of the door. And my foot lol.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/01/21/a9evavut.jpg
The tank, all set up. Excuse the mess, I haven't cleaned up the bedding yet :)
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/01/21/by2e5a3y.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/01/21/e9epy2eh.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/01/21/y7a9yzym.jpg