Plexi-glass lid?

I just got a free lidless 30gal. I was wondering--can i make a Plexi-glass lid? Thats what my dad wants me to do. >_> The cage top has an indentation that I could fit the glass into and then add hinges and a fastener...

Would this work? What suggestions would you have? I want to have this tank ready fairly cheaply and ASAP.

any other ideas?

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Originally Posted by Flicker

I just got a free lidless 30gal. I was wondering--can i make a Plexi-glass lid? Thats what my dad wants me to do. >_> The cage top has an indentation that I could fit the glass into and then add hinges and a fastener...

Would this work? What suggestions would you have? I want to have this tank ready fairly cheaply and ASAP.

any other ideas?

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yup

You can get a custom sized one made from an online site (just google) or i believe that Home Depot carries sheets of plexiglass. Not sure if they will cut it though.

Peace,
Mike~

With thick plexi yes.. make sure that you have at least 3 hinges, and that they are secured so that the snake cannot wedge itself out in any spot.
How will you heat the tank? With a UTH? Will you need vent holes drilled into it? Or a series of inch wide holes with screen over them? If you're going to try a lamp on top, be aware that the plexi can warp, and the heat might not transfer properly. If you're just going to maybe have some light on top.. just to light it, then go with a SMALL fluescent light, so it doesn't heat/warp the top, but lights it well.
Make sure that when you fasten the top into place that it doesn't bind when opened and shut, and that you put latched which will not pop open with wriggling or shaking, and that fasten it securely, even the corners. (in other words.. if it latches in the center of the side.. the corners may be able to be pried up, check to be sure)

I hope this helps!

I use plexi-glass for my tanks.
I Turn the tank on its side, and put rubber feet on the corners. Then I have the plexi-glass cut in 2 pieces, with some overlap. I use a lock to hold them in place. If you see I use a wood board (painted black) for the center and 4 pieces on the side. With a larger tank (mine are only 10's) I would cover the entire corner so they can't push out.
You're in Colorado too, so I've found this keeps my humidity managable (I've only had complete sheds in these cages). The pieces slide back and forth to open.
I bought my plexi-glass from Ace Hardware and they were happy to cut it for me.
I run heat tape on the Bottoms of the cages and Paint their names on the wood (Just got the pinstripe last night, still looking for a name!)

If you have ANY questions let me know!

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil.../pinny_009.jpg

I have an UTH, But I usually have a light too. How should I cut the ventilation in the glass? I have some screen I could cover holes with... I'm not sure though. Would 1 inch circles be a better idea?

Oh, and by tipping the tank on the side, your snakes gets more floor space to roam around!

We used a smaller drill bit for the holes. You want to make sure you use a lot of oil (something like WD-40) for lube so you don't crack it, LIGHT pressure...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Flicker

I have an UTH, But I usually have a light too. How should I cut the ventilation in the glass? I have some screen I could cover holes with... I'm not sure though. Would 1 inch circles be a better idea?

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you could do holes, 1" seems a little big though. Or you could make the plexiglass about 1/2" or so short then on one side have it open for air but put screen over it so your snake cant get out.

Mike~

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Originally Posted by Corvid

I use plexi-glass for my tanks.
I Turn the tank on its side, and put rubber feet on the corners. Then I have the plexi-glass cut in 2 pieces, with some overlap. I use a lock to hold them in place. If you see I use a wood board (painted black) for the center and 4 pieces on the side. With a larger tank (mine are only 10's) I would cover the entire corner so they can't push out.
You're in Colorado too, so I've found this keeps my humidity managable (I've only had complete sheds in these cages). The pieces slide back and forth to open.
I bought my plexi-glass from Ace Hardware and they were happy to cut it for me.
I run heat tape on the Bottoms of the cages and Paint their names on the wood (Just got the pinstripe last night, still looking for a name!)

If you have ANY questions let me know!

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil.../pinny_009.jpg

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Keeping humidity is CO is a pain. I completely understand.

Thats a GREAT idea. The cage I have is more tall than wide, so that's perfect.

Anyway, Question: Where can I get heat tape and how do you apply it? I usually use exoterra heat pads, but I've heard a lot about heat tape. I love the lights in the back!

I bought my heat tape from Boas and Balls ( Boasandballs.com ) and use the thermostat she sells, which works great.
If you have more than 1 tank that needs heating it works well, if you only have 1 I might use the UTH WITH the thermostat...
For the most part the tape is just set in between cages and up the side to the next. I do have the foil tape if I need to secure it.
Thanks for noticing my lights! It doesn't look great close up, but when you stand back and see the whole set up it looks Great!

I used reptilebasics.com to buy my flexwatt (heat tape). they can cut it for you and hook up the connectors for free so its ready to be plugged in out of the box.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Corvid

I bought my heat tape from Boas and Balls ( Boasandballs.com ) and use the thermostat she sells, which works great.
If you have more than 1 tank that needs heating it works well, if you only have 1 I might use the UTH WITH the thermostat...
For the most part the tape is just set in between cages and up the side to the next. I do have the foil tape if I need to secure it.
Thanks for noticing my lights! It doesn't look great close up, but when you stand back and see the whole set up it looks Great!

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I just have one cage I'll be doing this to, so A UTH might be easier for me to pick up.

What type of bedding is that?

It is carefresh. It's the white kind because I can't stand the smell of the reular grey stuff. I like how the colored stuff looks, but my snakes don't need all the dye =)
I highly reccommend that you get a t-stat even for 1 UTH, better safe than sorry (See burn posts).

Corvid...
Kudos for thinking outside the box with that set up. Seriously.. that's really awesome, and I'm going to spend this evening marveling at it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Corvid

It is carefresh. It's the white kind because I can't stand the smell of the reular grey stuff. I like how the colored stuff looks, but my snakes don't need all the dye =)
I highly reccommend that you get a t-stat even for 1 UTH, better safe than sorry (See burn posts).

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Do they all cost around $40 like balls and boas? Or can i just get a cheap power-gauge from ace?

This is how I have my tank covered. I have two pieces of 1/4 inch plexi-glass on the top with a small amount of holes in the top. I like it becuase I have a larger tank and it helps keep my humidity in.

[edit]I only read the OP. Sorry! looks like the subject changed a little here on page two haha