thinking about addin on... need advice and thoughts...

[cwazy]

alright after seein all the pics of people adding a "2nd floor" to there tanks, i came up with the idea of gettin a small plastic tote type of thing and flippin it upside down and cuttin an entrance hole, then have it so they can go up on top as well... i thought this was fool proof and a great idea *pats on the back* so we get to wally world and get a few different ones and get all excited with ideas, then it hit me... they are plastic...

so the question... has anyone else done this? if so got pics? then they are plastic... would it hold up with the UTH or would it be too hot and melt or give off fumes???? i want it to be safe.... thoughts and or ideas??? im not super crafty nor have alot of money, so wood is out for now... wich is why we went with the totes... help!!!????!?!?!?! :main_rolleyes:

 

[acpart]

I don't think they'll melt, after all I put gladware layboxes on top of the UTH and nothing happens. Here's one thing to consider,though: what happens if you really want to get the leo out for some reason and it's gone through the hole into the plastic tote? If this isn't a problem, go for it. If it is, here's an alternative design which I don't think is too expensive (I've posted this before somewhere else and don't have a picture available): get 1" dowel and cut 4 pieces the same size for the legs. Go to Home Depot or Loews and look in the plumbing dept for small pieces of PVC that you can use for "feet" on the dowels (by themselves they will be too shaky). Get a 12" tile and lay it on top of the dowel "legs". This is remarkably stable, but if you're worried you can set a tall hide or something else next to it to keep it in place.

If you want an upgrade: get a second 12" tile and sandwich a mini UTH in between the tiles so your upstairs has heat (the bottom tile goes upside down, get 4 small 1" tiles for the corners to provide a little space for the heater). I do this without a thermostat and it's fine.

Put a branch on the downstairs for them to climb up or just put a hide near the upstairs and they'll get up that way.

Aliza

 

[98XJSport]

I did a 12x12 tile on dowels as well, so far so good. Ill try to get pics later.

 

[98XJSport]

Here are some pics:

As far as plastic melting, it gets hotter in your car on a summer day than it will on top of the UTH, unless you have it cranked waaaay up. Actually, it could get hotter in your hands than over a 90 degree UTH.

 

[OHRobert]

I created my second level out of a sheet of balsa wood from the local craft store. I cost just a couple dollars. I used the pieces you put in the corner when doing molding as legs. I think they cost a total of about $10. A small screw secures the legs to the balsa wood top. Just another option and isn't any more expensive than the totes.

 

[gothra]

I just use foam core board to creat the second level; the parts were joined together with pins. So far so good.

 

[hybrid]

Wow that looks great! Now i want one! lol oh great here we go again...