29G Lid

[ThyTempest]

I have a 29G tank to spare that I am planning on using for a bp, but I still need a lid. My friend has a 20L with a slide out top that works really well, does anyone know where I could find these, or have any other suggestions for what/where to buy or maybe if I could make one cheaper? I figure I should use screen for ventilation, then cover it up with foil if need be for humidity and heat, but had also thought about making an acrylic top so that it I could see through it, then drilling holes for ventilation. Any ideas?

Tank dimensions are 30"L 18"H and 12"D.

Thanks

Also, I have been looking at UTH's. What brand is rec'd most? I hear people talk about zoomed and exo-terra a lot. Exo-terra is more available by me, but online ordering is always an option. If I go exo-terra should I get the dessert or tropical. I would think trop, but I am worried I may not be able to heat it enough since it is lower wattage. Thanks

[ThyTempest]

Looks like I am going to make myself a custom hinged plexiglass lid. Let me know if anyone is opposed, you still have a couple of weeks before I do anything.

[invadertoast]

As far as I know you can't buy a sliding screen top for an aquarium unless the tank already came with a sliding top. I'm pretty sure a 20 long and a 29 gallon have the same footprint, so the easiest thing to do would be just buy a screen top and some clips for a 20L.

Plexi-glass is a pain to work with because it cracks so easily, but will definately hold humidity better! I'd opt for the plexi-glass - Good luck!

[ThyTempest]

As far as I know you can't buy a sliding screen top for an aquarium unless the tank already came with a sliding top. I'm pretty sure a 20 long and a 29 gallon have the same footprint, so the easiest thing to do would be just buy a screen top and some clips for a 20L.

Plexi-glass is a pain to work with because it cracks so easily, but will definately hold humidity better! I'd opt for the plexi-glass - Good luck!

How would the plexi crack so easily? or did you mean acrylic?

[invadertoast]

Nope, I meant plexi. I made a small divider for my betta tank out of scrap pieces from work, I cut it on the table jigsaw very, very slowly and it went okay. The problem came when I went to drill holes in it with the drill press and it kept cracking. I cut another peice and went SLOWLY and it ended up coming out well. The doors on my BP cage are also made out of plexi (1/4") My mom's bf cut them for me and I'm not sure what he used, but the bottom edges have a bunch of chips in them. I'd just go slowly, and maybe use one of those plastic cutting knives they sell at Home Depot, though I'm not sure how long it would take to cut through if you're using 1/4" (I found 1/8" is super flexible and there's nooooo way it would have held my BP in her cage.)

[ThyTempest]

Did you use a scoring knife before you cut, and for drilling, a fine coarseness bit?

[nixer]

go real slow and try putting a little water or something to lube to keep the plexi cool

[invadertoast]

Did you use a scoring knife before you cut, and for drilling, a fine coarseness bit?

Nope and Nope... lol, maybe there's where my problems came from. After I messed up the first peice I just went really slow and it came out fine. I just used whatever blade was already in the saw and picked a drill bit that was small enough, I was trying to finish it before my boss came back from wherever he was (I had no real work to do anyway... but still, lol)

Edit: The above expereince was with 1/8" and I can't really say about the doors on my snake cage 'cause I wasn't home when they were cut... also it was a couple years ago. I can ask my mom's bf about it when he gets home from work and see if he remembers how he cut it.

[missi182]

I made a divider for my betta tank out of Lexan, but I believe it was high grade, and my bf used it to make guage covers in his car. I just cut it with scissors and stuck a knife in and twisted for the holes. I use it for everything Including to cover sections of screen on my bp tank.

[ThyTempest]

Allright, looks like the plexi is the route I am going to go. A sheet of plexi is 9 bucks at Home Depot for a 20 x 32 piece, which I would have to cut down to 12x30, which now that I think about it, would be a pain. I can have my local hardware store cut me a 12x30 for about 15. I might just do that to save some grief, but I think I will still have to drill holes etc my self.