Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok my first try at a custom tank is done, and I plant to sart setting it up this weekend. For now it is just a tank, and other than 1-2 minor changes it came out very nice. I was going for a very viewable front, as I think a lot of people who make this put the hinge way too high. I also went with all clear acrylic hinge, latch, and handle.

Let me know what you think. I plan to make 3 more.

Stainless steal mesh 60x60 per inch:

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Kyle
www.kylesphotos.com
Dart Links - still a work in progress
1.2.0 D. leucomelas
1.1.0 D. azureus
1.0.1 D. imitators
0.0.2 D. ventrimaculatus

That's sweet!

A few of those side-by-side on your rack would look great!

Leif

Yes they will, plan is to make 4, and then maybe 4 more later. It really did not take that long to make, and all I need for 3 more is the glass, and silicone. This was just a test to make sure it came out as planned.
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Kyle
www.kylesphotos.com
Dart Links - still a work in progress
1.2.0 D. leucomelas
1.1.0 D. azureus
1.0.1 D. imitators
0.0.2 D. ventrimaculatus

Looks good Kyle. Looks like all the pieces squared up nicely. What are you going to do for ventilation?
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Matt

Ventilation? Did you miss the huge screen piece on the top? I am hoping that is all I need. We will see. Right now it is 4-5 inches, and only an inch from the front. As long as it keeps the glass fog free I will not change it. At this point I would like to drop it to 3 inches.
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Kyle
www.kylesphotos.com
Dart Links - still a work in progress
1.2.0 D. leucomelas
1.1.0 D. azureus
1.0.1 D. imitators
0.0.2 D. ventrimaculatus

man do I feel like a dumb@$$...I thought that was duct tape...lol
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Matt

Its ok, been there done that...
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Kyle
www.kylesphotos.com
Dart Links - still a work in progress
1.2.0 D. leucomelas
1.1.0 D. azureus
1.0.1 D. imitators
0.0.2 D. ventrimaculatus

Nice m8) what type of glass did you use??

I used 1/4 inch glass.
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Kyle
www.kylesphotos.com
Dart Links - still a work in progress
1.2.0 D. leucomelas
1.1.0 D. azureus
1.0.1 D. imitators
0.0.2 D. ventrimaculatus

Hey Kyle, can you share your supplier for hinges, latch and catches?
Divegod

Sure:
www.tapplastics.com/
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Kyle
www.kylesphotos.com
Dart Links - still a work in progress
1.2.0 D. leucomelas
1.1.0 D. azureus
1.0.1 D. imitators
0.0.2 D. ventrimaculatus

I think it looks fantastic, Kyle! Maybe this is covered below, but is 60 x 60 a finer grade of mesh than is typical? Where do you come by it?

Can you give us the final dimensions and the "cut list" (sizes of glass pieces you had to have cut)?
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Homer W. Faucett III, esq.
Purveyor of Trivialities and Fine Nonsense

Sure, I got the mesh here:
http://www.mcmaster.com/
Do a search for wire mesh then stainless steal. Then 60x60, it is not cheap, but I think it will work great!

Here is the cut list with the corrections:
Bottom: 1 - 14x11
Sides: 2 - 13 1/2 x 17 1/2
Back: 1 - 11x17 1/2
Front bottom: 1 - 11x3
Front top(door): 1 - 11x14 3/4 (I had this 1/4 too short)
Top front: 1 - 11x1
Top back: 1 - 11x8

Things to note:
1. Some say it would be better not to set the sides on the bottom, which is how I did it. For this small of a tank it should not be a issue.
2. The top back 11x8 you might want to make longer it will leave a 5 inch gap for the screen, which might be too much. I have not tested the humidity yet.
3. I used 1/4 inch glass so if you change that you would need to change the measurements.

Hope that helps, I am very pleased so far. I hope to get some plant ordered tomorrow, and get the background finished tonight.
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Kyle
www.kylesphotos.com
Dart Links - still a work in progress
1.2.0 D. leucomelas
1.1.0 D. azureus
1.0.1 D. imitators
0.0.2 D. ventrimaculatus

.

>>.
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spectabilis.crosswinds.net-dart frog area added as soon as i can find password!
www.geocities.com/Spectabilis73-can't update this one

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spectabilis.crosswinds.net-dart frog area added as soon as i can find password!
www.geocities.com/Spectabilis73-can't update this one