Glass top, how thick? Exo terra?

[Venutus1]

I used 1/4 in this configuration... hole in the middle for proper UV transmission. Lot of work, but they work well.
You may want to consider something like it. You could cut the glass in squares and create a square "hole" in the middle... rather than fussing to get a hole drilled. The results would be the same and the cost allot less.
The reason the hole is centered is so the frogs are shielded from excess UV when they hang up really near the top on the glass, as my variabilis do*.

Go with FROSTED (etched) GLASS.... Just trust me this, damn it.
It only cuts down the light by maybe 8%-10%, so thats no biggie... but looks great when viewed at an angle.
The refracted light through the frosting hides all the bulbs, sockets and most importantly, reduces glare.
You can see in the "direct on" pic below, it still is actually is quite transparent and clear.

Sorry, the pics may be out of sequence, buy you get the idea.

Drilling a 6" hole is a trip. I paid to have that done.
I can drill glass myself, but an xtra large hole of 6" was way past my "skill set".

Good luck with your project and post pics!

Cheers,
Todd
lightyourreptiles.com

ps. Those are Repti-Sun 5.0 in the middle over the hole and Indoor Sunshine® CFLs elsewhere else. Lights are on timers for dawn -> mid day -> dusk simulation. Solarmeter 6.2 reading is like 45 -55 uW/cm2 at full light @ 8".
*If anyone wants to bone up on their UV IQ, I suggest visiting my friends website: UV Lighting for Reptiles: Using the Solarmeter 6.2 UVB Meter
She really has knocked it out of the park!

[Ed]

How would you suggest accomplishing the same sort of thing for a rack set up?
Other than that it looks fairly good..
Ed

[Pumilo]

Todd, did you leave the screen in place to prevent escapees or what do you use in the circle that allows UV transmission but prevents escapees?

[Ed]

It depends on the mesh size. If you can get access to the following paper it breaks it down pretty well.
Evaluation of UVB reduction by materials commonly used in reptile husbandry - Michael Burger - 2007 - Zoo Biology - Wiley Online Library

Ed

[Venutus1]

Originally Posted by Pumilo

Todd, did you leave the screen in place to prevent escapees or what do you use in the circle that allows UV transmission but prevents escapees?

(boy ... sorry to highjack big time.)

Ed is right, different screen mesh will affect UV transmission.

I just cut the screen circle(s) out of the Stainless Steel mesh from the existing Exo-terra tops!
Hey, if you are not using, recycle.

But I personally wouldn't get overly hung up on how much UV you are losing on this screen or that mesh....
Hey, you don't want a ton of UV anyway. That would be very bad.
After all... they are tiny dart frogs, not bearded dragons.
So a little goes a long way.
Bottom line... I didn't care if 25% is filtered out by the screen for this application.

That is why a Solarmeter 6.2 is so cool.
I ran outside a few hours ago to see what UV A-B levels are.
Today in Maine in the shade : .......... 19 uW/cm2 (micro watts per square centimeter)
in full sun : .................................. 199 uW/cm2

In my viv... Full lighting under the UV hole...... 47 uW/cm2
anywhere else in the viv....................40 down to 0 uW/cm2

So, on average, my frogs are not getting any more UV A-B then they would get on an overcast, rainy day.

Anyone intersted in UV should (MUST!) visit : UV Guide UK - Ultraviolet Light for Reptiles - UVB reptile lighting on test

ALSO NOTE: Some herpers also use the Solarmeter 6.5- But that gives its readout in UV index #'s 1 - 10. (like a Solarmeter 6.5 gives.*)

When you are talking about UV levels and numbers, make sure you specify if you are talking UV index #'s 1 tru 10+

Or...

Measuring them differently going by the micro watts per square centimeter reading.
With full sunlight being somewhere around 200 micro watts per square centimeter. Shade is 0-20 micro watts per square centimeter here in Maine today. (like a Solarmeter 6.2 gives)

I don't know what the UV index number for outside is today...
I am sold out of Solarmeter 6.5s, or else I would run outside with one.
*The UV index number is the one they usually give on the TV news.

Anyway, hope this helps.

[Venutus1]

Originally Posted by Ed

How would you suggest accomplishing the same sort of thing for a rack set up?
Other than that it looks fairly good..
Ed

Ed, great question.

Thre are so many ways to go and it would depend on what one was currently using for fixtures etc,etc...

Lets do a new thread...........

[BonnieLorraine]

If you guys ever did start a new thread on rack lighting and customizing lids, I was unable to find it. I hope you guys did though, since I'm planning on doing this for my 4' wide frog rack with retrofit t5 ho fixtures.

[gturmindright]

Yes, where is that thread?