Next step was to create a lid for the terrarium. Because it has to be self sustaining, I must be able to provide UV light to the frogs and microfauna, so that they can produce vitamin D3. The means that I have to build a custom top out of UV transparent plastic (ie solacryl or OP-4). Here is a thread I posted in preparation of constructing the lids.
parts-construction/topic36186.html#p267794
I searched long and hard for UV transparent plastic. All of the plastic shops in Seattle (such as TAP plastics) were of no help. All of them informed me that al acrylic was UV transparent, which is not true. They even gave me some literature, a section of which touts the UV blocking capacity of acrylic. I eventually found that tanning repair shops are the way to got, and got 2 sheets of plastic for about $35 each (shipped). I thus constructed my own lids for the terrarium, using a design recommended by Brian (dancing frogs). This method involves creating a five-sided box and placing it in the lip of the black aquarium top. I had TAP plastics cut me the strips for the sides of the box, and Kelsun Distributers get me the solacryl, cut to spec. I then solvent welded the strips together, as if I was makign a picture frame.
Here is the solvent I used. It actually dissolved the plastic and then when it dries the two sheets have become unified into one sheet.
Here are two half completed lids, which were then glued together.
Here are the completed lids, they still ahve the protective tape on them, and thus appear opaque.
You can also see on that last photo, that I put rubber weatherseal around the lip of the tank (it appears as an orange strip). This is to create a seal and prevent insect escapes from the tank.
Here is a close-up.
