Input for acrylic tank mod needed!!

[I-KandyReptiles]

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?

Yes.
Pvcx is also great at holding in heat.

[MootWorm]

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.



Hope that offers a lil help

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

[MootWorm]

Yes.
Pvcx is also great at holding in heat.

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.

[BFE Pets]

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!

[MootWorm]

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!

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.

[BFE Pets]

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?

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.

[MootWorm]

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.

The tank, all set up. Excuse the mess, I haven't cleaned up the bedding yet