[beeswaxx]

Thanks marcos, those pics were very helpful.
I think I will probably just use glass, with half of the top being screen for the UV.
Thanks again everyone!
-Beeswaxx

 

[beeswaxx]

Now that I think about it, the light is going to be on the screen. I am going to use plexi for the rest. That will also be easier for cutting holes for power cords and such.
Thanks
-Beeswaxx

 

[Guest]

If your going with plexi glass.... I wouldn't put any frogs in it till you left it up there (with the light comin on and off and hte tank being kept humid) for a couple weeks.

I tried using plexi glass (3/8ths inch) for a lid... and it warped so much that there was a good inch or two gap around the edges.


-Tad

 

[Blort]

If your going with plexi glass.... I wouldn't put any frogs in it till you left it up there (with the light comin on and off and hte tank being kept humid) for a couple weeks.

I tried using plexi glass (3/8ths inch) for a lid... and it warped so much that there was a good inch or two gap around the edges.


-Tad

That's definately a good idea. I used 1/4 thich so it bows more than it warps, but I could see problems with thinner sheets. With the frame on the bottom and the light on top it keeps its shape just fine. I probably wouldn't use anything thinner than 1/4 inch though.

Marcos

 

[Guest]

Anybody try a using a strip of aluminum on the edges of the acrylic to keep it from warping?

 

[Blort]

Anybody try a using a strip of aluminum on the edges of the acrylic to keep it from warping?

That's what I plan on doing when I get my 1/4" OP4 from Paul at FCA. I plan on getting something like the 1/4" channel here:

http://doityourself.com/store/aluminumshapes.htm

I'll post how it goes and maybe some photos.

Marcos

 

[bbrock]

Ok I was kinda mistaken about the screen thing and uv light. It is only extremely small gauge screen (really small holes) that blocks the uv rays. hope this helps

I actually think you are right. Window screen can block as much as 50% of the light hitting it. It's just a matter of the ratio of surface area of screen material to that of the open space.

A lot of froggers with large collections make their tops out of aluminum window screen frames with heavy plastic instead of screen. It's really cheap and you can easily adjust the amount of ventilation and make hinged portions wherever you want them.