Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I acquired an aquarium today and unfortunately the bottom of it broke, so I broke the rest of it out and I want to turn it into a terrarium with a screen-top. I plan on doing this by using a wood bottom and sealing it with aquarium safe silicone and building a frame up the corners on the outside and having a hinged top with latches. My question is about the bottom, would a wood bottom be good? Should I put some type of liner between the wood and the substrate? Also, what type of wood would work best?

Josh
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I would say bring it to a glass shop - they can cut a piece for you to fit.

Wood is about the last thing you want to use for the cage bottom if you can help it. Cage sides or back, fine, but bottom, no.

Alternative is expanded PVC. You may find a piece large enough at a sign shop. You can order online (look for "sintra" on the web or "expanded PVC sheet". Styrene sheet is another good material for this app.

If you have to go wood, plywood is fine. You can seal it with bar top epoxy before placing it in the tank. Then silicon it really well at the seams.
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Mark