Anyone use acrylic tanks?

[Chiefmcfuz]

Title says it all, I want to make a 60" long tank and my friend is an acrylic fabricator. I was thinking it would become brittle because of the under tank heater. I know the scratching hazard of acrylic but will the heat transfer be properly distributed lets say on a half inch thick bottom and will the acrylic become brittle and crack because of the constant heat:main_huh:

Please note this will be a permanent enclosure not a tamporary one so they will be in here all of the time.

 

[nats]

Title says it all, I want to make a 60" long tank and my friend is an acrylic fabricator. I was thinking it would become brittle because of the under tank heater. I know the scratching hazard of acrylic but will the heat transfer be properly distributed lets say on a half inch thick bottom and will the acrylic become brittle and crack because of the constant heat:main_huh:

Please note this will be a permanent enclosure not a tamporary one so they will be in here all of the time.

I was going to buy one once but changed my mind.
I had the same concerns as you, and didnt get any answers that made me happy.
I'll just stick with glass :main_yes:

 

[Amber7399]

Sorry i don't have any experience with Acrylic Tanks and This is the only information that i could really find for you. I know you've been looking for the answer for this for a while now. my only suggestion would be to maybe see if you could obtain a "scrap piece" of acrylic from your friend. and try it out first before you spend all that money on a tank and not be able to use it for what you desire :main_huh:


Good luck, i Hope you figure it out


FAQ:

Q: Can the Under Tank Heater be placed on acrylic, plastic, wood, Plexiglas or any other material? A: The Under Tank Heater can only be used on glass. Only the Mini (4" x 5") Under Tank Heater may be used on the side of plastic or acrylic tanks

http://www.zoomed.com/db/products/EntryDetail.php?EntryID=113&DatabaseID=2&SearchID=1

 

[leonut]

they do make some heaters appropriate for acrilic tanks like cobra heat mats.

or you could always use overhead heat.

 

[bohannbj]

I have all mine in acrylic "tanks". I haven't had any problems yet and I like being able to make my cases at any size I want.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Do the cobra matts stick on the bottom or do they lay on the bottom of the tank?

 

[leonut]

I think you'r suppoused to tape them on.

but they don't have that sticky stuff on the bottom.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Duct tape would work I guess. Right? Did a search for cobra mats and nothing pops up. Also with acrylic nothing pops up either.

 

[bitterbeauty]

Arent the visionariums made of acrylic? Loads of people use uth's with those with no problems.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

I looked at visionariums, the ones I find are all glass :main_huh:

http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog...sionariums/-/visionarium-stackable-terrarium/

 

[MSMD]

I got my Cobra UTH from Reptilesupply.com. I either used Scotch tape or electrical tape to stick it to the bottom of the tank. I don't remember which at the moment....I'll have to take a look when I get home. Hmmmm. :main_huh: lol

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

BUMP Anyone else? Anybody got pics?