Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Up until now, I've made all of my tanks from glass but have decided to try acrylic due to the ease of cutting and drilling. My main question is what is the best type/thickness? I've always heard that acrylic warps when wet and warm. Any ideas?
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Updated list as of: 9/30/03
2.2.6 D. azureus
1.2.14 D. ventrimaculatus 'yellow' (16 tads in the water)
1.1 D. tinctorius 'cobalt' (one subadult)
0.0.3 D. tinctorius 'patricia'
1.1 D. auratus 'blue'
0.0.5 D. auratus 'green/black'
0.0.10 D auratus 'green/bronze' (very soon)
0.0.3 D. imitator 'Alex Sens line' (1 week)
0.0.2 D. reticulatus (soon)

avoid standard pexiglass. You may want to try polycarbonate. it is fairly cheap and should work.

joe
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3.0.1 Tinc Patricias
0.0.2836 Pea Aphids
0.0.4392 Springtails
0.0.1842 FruitFlies
0.1.30 Dampwood Termites

Can I ask why you want to change from glass? Do you have any pictures of tanks you have made? I'm still thinking on my tank ideas, but to be honest I think I am just going to go with 4 20 gal highs or 29gals. For my living room idea. I think I am going to build the stand here soon, I just need to find some thicker wood.
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Kyle
www.kylesphotos.com
1.2.0 D. leucomelas
0.0.2 D. azureus
1.0.1 D. imitators

Actgually, I have only built one tank out of glass but it was such a chore that I never did it again. However I still use glass to make front or side opening tanks from standard 10,15 20 high, 25... etc all glass aquariums. The glass must have the edges grinded to remove the sharp edges. Drilling glass takes a while and needs to have water running over it which makes it a chore and a waste of water. Acrylic is much easier and faster to drill through using standard drum bits as aposed to diamond dust coated. Acrylic also seals up nice due to the plastic being fused together via the solvent. Acrylic is also lighter, more durable as far as cracking and much easier to drill small holes throught to create air vents near the substrate where it would benefit the most. Misting nozzles are also easier installed through acrylic versus glass. The advantages go on... Don't get me wrong, glass is great to use, but it's limitations make modifications trickier. Acrylic isn't exactly perfect itself, but it works great. I ordered a Nikon CP 4300 and tripod last week so I'll have some pics of some of my tanks. My frog room is still in the midst of a chaotic cycle but all is falling in place and I'll have it up before long. The thing is, I'm also working in a website and when the time is right, it will go public and I'll have the pics and some info up. More on that later though. Sorry for the long winded post.

-Bill J
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Updated list as of: 9/30/03
2.2.6 D. azureus
1.2.14 D. ventrimaculatus 'yellow' (16 tads in the water)
1.1 D. tinctorius 'cobalt' (one subadult)
0.0.3 D. tinctorius 'patricia'
1.1 D. auratus 'blue'
0.0.5 D. auratus 'green/black'
0.0.10 D auratus 'green/bronze' (very soon)
0.0.3 D. imitator 'Alex Sens line' (1 week)
0.0.2 D. reticulatus (soon)

Yes each has its ups and downs. I guess I just see acrylic as flimsy.
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Kyle
www.kylesphotos.com
1.2.0 D. leucomelas
0.0.2 D. azureus
1.0.1 D. imitators

Acrolite GP made my CYRO Industries.

See

http://www.geocities.com/mathmaticalmatt/index.html

For Info...
Acrylic Vivarium Construction

I bought some 1/4" acrylic from home depot....a 36 x 72 sheet for 60 bucks. Not bad. I made a 30 x 16 x 19 tank with that. The clarity is easily that of glass. I make stained glass windows sometimes, and i have all of the cutting and grinding tools for glass, but I would much rather use acrylic.

Just my $.02
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Matt