Vert inserts, vert methods.

Afemoralis · #1 (**permalink**) 04-24-2007, 05:44 PM

Hi.

I'm in the initial phase of setting up a series of 10g vert tanks. I currently use FCA inserts and love them, but I'd like to hear about how other folks have gone about similar projects. How are the other insert kits?

cheers,

afemoralis

Alan Zimmerman · #2 (**permalink**) 04-24-2007, 07:23 PM

I can't comment on FCA inserts as I have not used them. My general impression from those who have used them is positive.

I build my own because I like the ability to adapt/customize the design and build them in quantity.

Alan

gary1218 · #3 (**permalink**) 04-24-2007, 07:42 PM

The heck with the inserts, NICE set up Alan

If you're interested in making your own inserts I have a thread on the forum here on how I did mine. If you search on my name, gary1218, and "vert insert" you should find it. Let me know if you don't.

VanillaGorilla · #4 (**permalink**) 04-25-2007, 06:29 AM

Hey Alan, nice work on those inserts... what are they glass? Also what is that piece that you use to 'lock' the door shut, to me it looks like two plexiglass squares with a nail thru them..that is interesting.

THANKS

fmfox · #5 (**permalink**) 04-25-2007, 11:15 PM

wow Alan, outstanding design. I especially like that there is no wide black bar blocking the view, as there is on exo terras and so many other front-opening vivs. you ought to go into business selling those babies.

martin

Afemoralis · #6 (**permalink**) 04-26-2007, 12:13 AM

Those are lovely! So how do folks feel about the advantages/disadvantages of opening upwards, downwards, or to the side?

Cheers,

Afemoralis

gary1218 · #7 (**permalink**) 04-26-2007, 02:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Afemoralis

Those are lovely! So how do folks feel about the advantages/disadvantages of opening upwards, downwards, or to the side?

Cheers,

Afemoralis

I vote to the side.

Alan Zimmerman · #8 (**permalink**) 04-26-2007, 04:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VanillaGorilla

Hey Alan, nice work on those inserts... what are they glass? Also what is that piece that you use to 'lock' the door shut, to me it looks like two plexiglass squares with a nail thru them..that is interesting.

THANKS

The top and bottom pieces are plexi. That allows me to drill vents and drains easily. The main door piece is clear 1/8" glass.

The latch is two .75" plexiglas cubes - center drilled with a nylon thumbscrew lock. The bottom piece has an aquarium air line "T" for a water drain.

Dane · #9 (**permalink**) 04-26-2007, 05:23 AM

If you can afford the FCAs, I doubt that you can do any better as far as fit & function. I'm partial to my own. I've been using this design for 2 years now, and I couldn't be happier. Door and bottom pane are 3/32" glass, extruded aquarium hinge, screen frame with "no-see-um" mesh.

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Dancing frogs · #10 (**permalink**) 04-26-2007, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Afemoralis

Those are lovely! So how do folks feel about the advantages/disadvantages of opening upwards, downwards, or to the side?

Cheers,

Afemoralis

Tanks that open to the side (example: exoterra) can be a pain to feed when the tanks get grown in thick, especially when trying to feed springtails or things like that.
Vert tanks that have a swing down opening can come in handy for that matter, in that you can dump the food onto the open door and shut it, though it will mess up you're window.
Ideally, if you are custom making a tank, I would say it would be nice to have a small feeding door in the top of the tank, and a larger door in the front (if you had both, I'd say side opening would be best) for removing eggs, trimming vegetation etc,