How to turn a 55 aquarium into a tall viv?

[Heatheranne]

Okay Don, any ideas on this one?

I purchased a china cabinet that will be delivered on Thursday. I plan to waterproof it first. Do you think the silicone will stick? Is great stuff waterproof?

I'm not sure if it's a possibility to convert it, but I'd like to try.

Thanks!

[nos187]

Hey don, you dont have any problems with plexi-glass warping? I made a lid for one of my vivariums once and it warped terribly. Is there a certain type of plexi-glass that you use?

[DonLisk]

Hey don, you dont have any problems with plexi-glass warping? I made a lid for one of my vivariums once and it warped terribly. Is there a certain type of plexi-glass that you use?

I never did a top with Plexi since it probably would warp with any heat source (lights) placed above it. I think having a nice piece of glass cout would be better... as your finding out.

As for doing the doors with the plexi-glass, I use magnetic strips along the edges to keep it pulled in tight and not warp. The strip come in a roll for about 6 bucks and can be cut with scissors.

[nos187]

I never did a top with Plexi since it probably would warp with any heat source (lights) placed above it. I think having a nice piece of glass cout would be better... as your finding out.

As for doing the doors with the plexi-glass, I use magnetic strips along the edges to keep it pulled in tight and not warp. The strip come in a roll for about 6 bucks and can be cut with scissors.

Oh i see, your just doing the doors. Interesting that the magnets keep it from warping. I may consider trying to make a door out of plexi glass then. Haha yeah i learned my lesson for the lid about a year ago. No more plexi glass lids!

[flybyferns]

Hi Heather,
You will be able to a screen place make a custom frame/front.
The top screen area and bottom glass or plexi area could be all one piece within the custom frame.
I used glass on my 40 conversion. I was worried about the heat emitters w/ plexi. But you could get around that. If glass was used it might also add some rigidity? It would be heavy , though?

I had a glazier drill a hole in the top of my 40gal conversion to pass wires and mist tubing through.
Plus this added a little extra ventilation.

You could seal off the bottom /front w *silicone and a piece of glass, positioning it against the inside of the tank frame. The edges of the glass can be sanded smooth by the glaizer.

Then when you remove the custom front frame ( to feed and clean) , the interior* bottom glass stays in place at all times to hold back the water and false bottom.

The custom frame would sit in the outer lip or the rim of the tank.

Hard to explain.

[NatureLady]

Okay Don, any ideas on this one?

I purchased a china cabinet that will be delivered on Thursday. I plan to waterproof it first. Do you think the silicone will stick? Is great stuff waterproof?

I'm not sure if it's a possibility to convert it, but I'd like to try.

Thanks!

Heather,
So are you doing the 55 gallon or this? This china cabinet would be an amazing undertaking, but the results would be amazing!!!