How to divide a 55 gallon/thermostat question

[curiousKathy]

I got a free 55 gallon tank and I would like to use it to it's best advantage. I was considering dividing it in half...What does everyone suggest I use for a divider and where would I find one? Also I am wondering how to heat it with a UTH...do I use 2 at each end or one big one in the middle so it overlaps on each side?

I have two ESU Reptile 1000 thermostats with 3 plug-ins...if I want to plug in more than one UTH to each do they all need to be the same wattage? What happens if one is a 10 gallon size UTH and the other is a 40 gallon size? Will the temps on both be in the correct range or will the 10 gallon UTH have a higher temp since it is calibrated to the 40 gallon size?

Clear as mud? Suggestions please!

Thanks in advance!

curiousKathy

 

[leolover2]

I think plexi glass makes a good divider. I think you also put 1 40 gallon in the middle. Sry i dont know the answers for your other questions.

 

[Scott&Nikki]

I would actually think the 40 gal UTH would get warmer. Reverse your thinking. If a 10 gallon is 8 watts, it most likely uses that whole wattage to heat the 10 gal. The 40 gal will be heating less than the max wattage would heat, so it will reach the desired temp before reaching its max wattage. Therefor, the 10 gal will probably also be cut off before reaching its max wattage. Does that make sense. I confused myself while I was typing...

I forget who mentioned it (someone on this forum), but an easy way to divide a tank is taking two pieces of clear tubing and cutting them down the center to make like a C shape. Then you put a piece of plexi glass (about a half inch shorter than the width of the tank) and fit it into the slits.

And yeah, I would just use the 1 UTH in the center though. Just make sure the leos you are putting in this are parasite-free and all that good stuff you probably already know. Hope that helps.

 

[ReptileMan27]

If you get the measurments, you can bring them measurments to a glass place and they will cut it for cheap. A freind of mine did that to divide a tank of P. imperators and it worked great.

 

[Stitch]

Take a look at this link it will help explain how to split a cage.

http://www.geckoforums.net/showthread.php?t=4126

 

[justin-branam]

i did the plexiglass thing. i actually cut 2 small triangles and used "weld-on" to glue them to the larger piece in the bottom back, so it held up the divider piece (they are behing the hides inthe middle, you may not be able to see them well). heres a pic for you:

 

[Stitch]

Yeah right, you just mirrored the image :main_laugh: . Very nice set up, very clean. I have not finished my divider yet, I suck in the handy man department.

 

[Scott&Nikki]

Take a look at this link it will help explain how to split a cage.

http://www.geckoforums.net/showthread.php?t=4126

That was the thread I was trying to remember and explain. Thanks for posting that. I love Marcias idea.

 

[curiousKathy]

The Marcia tip sounds wonderful and even a girlie girl like me might be able to do it by myself! Thanks for the link to the previous thread...I may just have to try it!

Thanks!

curiousKathy

 

[Stitch]

The Marcia tip sounds wonderful and even a girlie girl like me might be able to do it by myself! Thanks for the link to the previous thread...I may just have to try it!

Fair warning, plexiglass is not easy to cut. Atleast mine wasn't. Home Depot said they do not cut plexiglass but I think the guy just didn't want to work. I know you can cut it because I did it in a middle school shop class. Use an electric saw much easy then using a scoring tool.

 

[curiousKathy]

Thanks for the plexiglass cutting warning! I will remember it when I get ready to decide what to do...I think the reason they won't cut it is because it can crack if not done properly...just a guess, though!

curiousKathy

 

[justin-branam]

Thanks for the plexiglass cutting warning! I will remember it when I get ready to decide what to do...I think the reason they won't cut it is because it can crack if not done properly...just a guess, though!

curiousKathy

you can easily cut plexi that is 1/4" or thicker on a table saw with a blade that has at least 70 teeth. if you get 1/8 inch plexi, you can score it deeply with a sharp razor knife (use a nice metal straight edge, and score 5-10 times if you have too). then put the scored part facing up, with the scored line being even with something like your counter top. then slowly push the plexi down and it should snap right on the scored line. be careful, as if you do it this way, it can be as sharp as glass on the edge.