The right kind of acrylic

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Mount_Prion

Mount_Prion

Piranha
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Jan 31, 2012
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Anybody know the right kind of acrylic to build a terrarium canopy lid out of? I'm talking with custom acrylic cutters now and one told me he only cuts in "standard acrylic" which would absorb water from the tank's humidity and would bow.

He mentioned tinted polycarbonate, but I couldn't tell if he was saying that's what I should use or avoid based on his grammar.

Any thoughts? It doesn't need to hold weight or water (aside from humidity and the occasional spritz from a spray bottle) or extreme temperatures, but I don't mind using "aquarium" acrylic for this, even if it's more expensive. Just don't wanna mess it up.

Thanks!

Oh and btw, I'm removing a wooden canopy top so that the first pic here looks more like the second.

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BTW can a mod remove the attached thumbnail? It's the wrong pic that I uploaded, but I thought I deleted it.

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IMG_20130424_084546.jpg

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I had multiple panels of glass cut for my aquarium top... I've used acrylic for the top of my sump and a small 5.5 gallon tank and you can effectively mitigate the bowing by adding bracing.. With very limited tools I made 1"strips and glued them to the top(perpendicular to the cover sheet) and the bowing is barely visible. Bracing was tapered at the ends and looks fine. Glass was easier and better looking and better performing IMO tho.. I just had it cut at Lowes. I made panels to allow for easier maintenance and for breaks for my over flow and return which you won't have to worry about. Just my thoughts :)

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Glass won't work as it has to be a fairly complicated L shape with hinges drilled into it, and it must fit snugly on the rest of the canopy. Thanks though.

I should also note that I'm a perfectionist about this. I could not do any kind of solution that has visible tape or anything like that.
 
epond83 said:
You do want to use polycarbonate, that is what we sell people for aquariums lids at the plastic shop I work at.
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Thank you!! Now I'm armed with more information in my search. Exactly what I was looking for. Seriously, thanks.
 
Home depot sells big sheets of polycarbonate at a decent price and from what I hear it's not that hard to cut like acrylic is. Maybe a diy and save some money.


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strollo22 said:
Home depot sells big sheets of polycarbonate at a decent price and from what I hear it's not that hard to cut like acrylic is. Maybe a diy and save some money.


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Click to expand...

Ya but I know my abilities and I'm too much of a perfectionist. Maybe the question I should be asking is, do those random shops in chinatown cut polycarbonate at all or just glass?
 
Polycarbonate is pretty good but lexan is by far my favorite type of acrylic for aquarium tops/lids as it is the most rigid. Lexan will tolerate the heat from a light and or water and stays sturdy without any additional bracing even over large open spans. It can easily be cut with a skillsaw or table saw just like wood. Funny someone told u acrylic wasent "water proof". Regular cast acrylic is what tanks are made out of. 1/4" lexan will work for just about any lid you need. Be careful when drilling, use masking tape and a piece of plywood underneath to prevent cracking.

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+1 on lexan. i find it is easiest to work with because of how clean the "snap" is when cutting due to it being a harder more brittle type. it will definately become bendable with heat how much required idk i used a torch, but if u were running hot lighting id think about how to prevent too much heat/light from direct contact. also anyone who told you acrylic isnt waterproof?!?! might wanna stay away from that place lol
 
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