Finally...the beginning of construction is near

Pittylova · #1 (**permalink**) 09-12-2008, 03:51 PM

I am so excited. I'll finally be starting my first vivarium this weekend. I have everything already except for the plexiglass, pvc, and egg crate. I was at Lowes today, but I can't fit that stuff in my little coupe (especially with a 2 year old in the back). I'm hoping my father gets home from work soon so I can use his SUV to go pick the stuff up!

I'm making it out of an old entertainment center. I decided to plexiglass the front and back as planned, but put a sheet on the bottom and up about 6-8" on the sides from the bottom. Then I'll marine epoxy the rest of the wood, and all of the places the plexiglass meets. My father (who will be assisting in the cutting of the wood and plexiglass) thinks I should get some of that pond liner to put in the bottom and fold it up a couple of inches all the way around (in a straight line so it looks like trim). He's nervous that the joints won't be waterproof where the plexiglass is and the tank will leak. I will have a decent amout of water...about 5"-6" as it will house fish as well as the anoles and gray tree frogs. Those of you have made the vivariums out of plexi and wood...have you had problems with leaking? I was going to silicone or epoxy the joints. I would be so mad if it started leaking all over the wood floor (it would be my luck that I'd be gone for the day). At the same time I don't want to spend $50 on a pond liner for just a corner of it.

Also, what section will I find the egg crate in? I was in Lowes and asked a couple of people but they had no idea what I was talking about.

I'll be sure to take pictures of the process and continue journaling throughout it here in this thread.

I have to hurry and finish so I can change the current anole tank into my garter tank...I have a baby Oregon Red Garter waiting to be shipped to me

thriftyaaamom · #2 (**permalink**) 09-12-2008, 04:06 PM

From what I have read if you seal all your wood surfaces with epoxy it should be fine but I kind of agree with your Dad and would feel safer with pond liner or similiar thickness barrier.

The Lowe's where I am does not carry the eggcrate, but if you are going to find it it will be in the lighting section usually near the flourescent lighting. I have found it at HD and Ace (when in stock). Be sure to get the thickest plexi as I have heard of some people having trouble with warping. You should check out your local glass and mirror shop as glass is sometimes cheaper than plexi, depending on the size.

Good luck and I know I would be interested in any pics!

Nubster · #3 (**permalink**) 09-12-2008, 04:31 PM

My Lowes does not carry it either but my Home Depot does. You can find it in the light section. It is actually lighting defuser but it is labeled as eggcrate and it is about $11 per sheet.

Pittylova · #4 (**permalink**) 09-12-2008, 04:40 PM

Thanks guys...I'll head to Home Depot tonight instead of Lowes then. Lowes is just closer lol.

Dragas · #5 (**permalink**) 09-12-2008, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pittylova

Thanks guys...I'll head to Home Depot tonight instead of Lowes then. Lowes is just closer lol.

My lowes had it ...

When I asked, I just asked for the ceiling tile ... (If the isle's are set up the same its 18, passed all the nuts n bolts but before the lumber.)

froggsong · #6 (**permalink**) 09-12-2008, 11:51 PM

The problem you may face with leakage is that silicone doesn't bond very well to plexi, however, they make a joint compound for plexi that is supposed to bond it on the molecular level or whatever. I agree you should go with the thicker plexi at least for the area that will be holding water. I'm not sure if it will warp if it isn't getting heated from the lights, but it is possible with the thin stuff. Checking on the price of glass is definitely an idea, since glass joints will hold properly with the silicone with no problems. You could also go with lexan, which is more resistant to warping, from what I've read. If you DO use pond liner, my HD sells it by the yard (or maybe by the foot?) in the garden section, so you should have to buy a whole roll or whatever.

Pittylova · #7 (**permalink**) 09-13-2008, 12:34 AM

I thought that glass was a lot more expensive than the plexi? That is a huge factor. I'll contact a local glass place and see how much it would cost to have the glass of the dimensions I need. How would I make doors, etc? Do they cut and put the holes for hinges/knobs? Oh man...now that I thought I had everything planned

Pittylova · #8 (**permalink**) 09-13-2008, 01:01 AM

Well, I just did a quick glimpse of glass prices via the internet. Seems to be that it's approximately $1/sqft. Does that seem about right? If so it will probably be about the same or less (you're right) than plexi. I'm going to call this place I found down the road that does glass in the morning.

Tiamat · #9 (**permalink**) 09-13-2008, 01:17 AM

1$/square foot looks way too cheap. Don't forget you will need glace with polished sides. But generally, it is much cheaper than plexi if you know where to find a good local store.

by memory, 12*12cm cost around 7-10$. that is about a square feet. The price ratio, of course, gets lower with bigger glace.

Pittylova · #10 (**permalink**) 09-13-2008, 01:37 AM

I found a site cutting glass for Aquariums in specific at that price. I'm going to call and ask about it. I know total plexi for what I want from HD will cost be about $60 so I'll see what I can get for glass tomorrow.

How would you attach it to the wood? With the silicone? I was going to drill the plexi in place.