40 G Critter Cage - hold water?

[DeadMoose]

I have an empty 40 gallon glass tank that I'd like to turn into a vivarium. But on the bottom there's a sticker that says "Critter Cage. DO NOT FILL WITH WATER" I'm wondering if anyone's picked up a tank like this. I got it a while back at a local pet store Pet Supplies Plus, but didn't notice the warning when I purchased it.

My question though is would it be able to hold safely just the couple inches or so of water that would be needed to have a water feature (ie stream) in the vivarium? I'd really like to add a waterfall or stream, but I don't want to start this project until I know if it'd be safe to do so. I'm not sure sure if the warning is there so someone doesn't fill it all the way up with water, as it may not be strong enough to support that kind of weight, or if it'll end up leaking from any amount of water. I would do a test, but right now it's a bit cold to be going outside to test if it'll leak or not. Any help is greatly appreciated.

[HewesHort]

ive always assumed the warning was to prevent someone filling it all the way up because the glass cant support the weight of the water. i have a 10g one that has three or four inches of water in it and its been fine for almost a year. if you are concerned you could reinforce the seams with aquarium silicone.

[DeadMoose]

Thanks for the reply, HewesHort. I posted this on another forum as well and got a similar answer to yours. I will be sure to try it out. Thanks again for the help.

[HewesHort]

no problem at all, good luck!

[Austin]

I had a 20g long that said not to fill w/water and I used it for aquatic turtles for abouta year, filled it up about half way and it was fine

[DeadMoose]

Well I'm glad to hear that it should be fine. I'll do a leak test when I can. I can't wait to set it up

By the way, does anyone know the technical term for egg crate? I've been reading around here, but everyone calls it egg crate. I know it's used for lighting so I asked my dad, as he's in construction, and he wasn't sure of it's actual name. I described it to him and he knew what I was talking about. But I went to Menards a couple weeks ago and couldn't find any, and I didn't know what to ask for 'cause nobody knows what I mean when I say "egg crate." I always get "the stuff eggs are shipped in?" You would think those people working at Menards would understand by me explaining it to them. Perhaps I just stumbled across the one employee who didn't know anything. I'll try again in a few days when I have the time to go back.

[kyryah]

Go to the lighting section and look for light diffusers or panels. I think that is what Home Depot sells them as.

Kristina

[DeadMoose]

Ah, that is good to know. Thanks much, kyryah

[kyryah]

Oddly enough, if you can't find them there, look in the tile section.

And you are welcome

Kristina

[jpstod]

Most stores also keep them in the "Drop Ceiling" or "Suspended Ceiling" areas of the store