Glass VS Plexi Glass: Advice Needed

[YankeeChops]

I am preparing to build an enclosure for my female CWD. I would like to get some opinions from you guys regarding the use of plexi glass as the front doors of the setup. I have heard that the plexi glass can warp overtime if I am using a Mercury Vapor Bulb (MVB). I do use a MVB at present. I was hoping to have the new enclosure measure: 6 ft high, 3 ft deep and 5-6 ft wide.

Please let me know what you guys think and what my options are-- I would really appreciate any and all input. =)

[froggsong]

The thin plexi that I use (it's cheaper, and suits my needs atm) definitely does warp with exposure to heat. It probably will with thicker stuff over time, but probably not as quickly, but I'm not sure. They have some other stuff that is a little more expensive at my Home Depot, next time I go, I can see what it is, I think it said it was heat resistant.

[alex1976]

After having worked with Plexi Glass for various projects I can tell that it will over time warp if exposed to high heat. I would honestly save the money you'd spend on thick Plexi Glass and just go to a glass cutter and have him make your custom cuts and polish the edges. Plexi Glass at the thicker levels the size you'd need is pretty expensive. I'm in the process of price comparing as well for a 120 gallon vertical tank and I think I'm going to go with glass in the end.

Something to keep in mind is that Plexi Glass scratches pretty easy too.

Keep us posted on you're progress, I'd love to see a large tank constructed to get some additional ideas.

[YankeeChops]

I believe the heat resistant plexi is called LEXAN. If more people could post it would really help. I know to stay away from thinner plexi for sure anyways. I will ask around glass/plexi dealers and see what they say, but I value the opinion of you guys, so please keep the posts coming.

**I am curious though-- Although I am using a 160W MVB at the moment in my CWD's 75 gal. tank I don't feel it ever gets that hot. I will be building an enclosure 3 feet deep so, the MVB will not be positioned near the front doors (plexi/glass). I understand that the thinner plexi will warp with even low levels of heat, but do I really need to be worried if I am using a thicker plexi (ex: 3/8" or 1/4")??

Thanks for your input so far! =)

[Pufferfan]

I have lexan/acrylic/plexi tanks... You cant clean them without beeing super carefully, any sharp gravle even sharp peices of wood.. sand gravle.. any of that will scratch the living hell out of it..

glass you can use a razer blade on and the only way your going to scratch it is if your using lava rock and you feel like rubbing it up against the glass.

just my 2 cents.

[YankeeChops]

Pufferfan-- what thickness of Lexan do you have on your setup?