Questions about modification to an existing viv..

[littlesavedgirl]

I have a 40 gallon breeder and was wondering if there is a way to modify the glass to replace it with slidding glass on the side of it? I know that Beardies do not like being handled from above and wanted to somehow cut the front glass and fabricate two sliding pannels like in some of the other tanks i've seen here in DIY. What do you think?

Thanks

 

[Captian]

I'm not very crafty but one thing I do know is that if you take off the front glass you need to have support for the other 3 sides. What you could do is un-seal the top support rim, un-seal the front glass and clean it up real nice so there is no leftover sealant. Then you could get 2 thin pieces of plexiglass and put it into the groves of the top and bottom support rims. You may have to add some sort of support to the front depending on how much weight you have on the top of your tank. I've only worked on fish tanks but I guess the same rules would apply.

 

[Kidster96]

I'm not very crafty but one thing I do know is that if you take off the front glass you need to have support for the other 3 sides. What you could do is un-seal the top support rim, un-seal the front glass and clean it up real nice so there is no leftover sealant. Then you could get 2 thin pieces of plexiglass and put it into the groves of the top and bottom support rims. You may have to add some sort of support to the front depending on how much weight you have on the top of your tank. I've only worked on fish tanks but I guess the same rules would apply.

That sounds very complicated xD

 

[Captian]

It's not to bad. All you need really is a good sharp box cutter. you can completely un-seal, clean and re-seal a 40 gallon tank in less then 4 hours. Trust me on that, my fish was in the tub waiting after she broke here side glass. :shock:

 

[Kidster96]

I'm bad with sharp items... I'll end up chopping off my finger!

 

[littlesavedgirl]

So I would need thinner plexi glass thats half as thick as the front glass and using the already existing groove, right? Clear silicone cauk ?Any ideas where to get thin sheets like this. Thanks for the help guys

 

[Captian]

So I would need thinner plexi glass thats half as thick as the front glass and using the already existing groove, right? Clear silicone cauk ?Any ideas where to get thin sheets like this. Thanks for the help guys

Yes, you would need plexi glass that's half as thick as the front glass so it will fit in the grooves. Not sure where you would get it though. I don't know if clear silicone calk will be good with the heat from your lights. It should be okay as long as it's for outdoor use. I use silicone tank sealant, it's the same the tank is made with so I know it will hold up to the heat.

 

[littlesavedgirl]

Ok, sounds like I might have a shot of doing this! Where would I get this tank sealant? Thankfully I still have Levis 20 gallon Viv , so he could shack in there while I'm fixing up the new doors

 

[Captian]

You can buy the tank sealant at about any pet store. Good luck.

 

[littlesavedgirl]

Great thanks so much! I think that will be my next crafting job

 

[triumphtt]

If ya didn't go through all that but not to be captain obvious but just slip it on its side. If its the type with the slide on screen make that side on top and boom instant sliding door just vertical. I measured mine and its like 18" so if you just did some DIY rocks you could make some different levels and use the height to climb.... just a thought don't know how you would do lights though

 

[littlesavedgirl]

You Know, that's so simple it's very nearly silly if it works. I wonder if it will hold it's temps well :study: