Best-- acrylic or glass

[Leefrogs]

I went out to get quotes for my big viv. And no, bshmerlie, I won't enter contest, as this will take me all summer! I found that glass and acrylic are similar in price, acrylic probably easier for a door, as they make acrylic hinges. But they advised me about not using bleach or vinager on acrylic for cleaning. So it worries me on it's durability. The other concern is they said it can't be in sunlight as this will cause it to fog over time, wouldn't grow lights have the same effect? How many of u have acrylic vivs? And have u heard of any problems? the total will be about 90 gal, 24x24x36. Or 110 24x24x48 for cutting purposes, as I will be charged for waste

[bshmerlie]

I have one tank that is acrylic...the biggest problem that I see with acrylic is that it does scratch. I personally like the glass better for terrariums. Although I had a 75 gallon reef tank and I preferred the Acrylic with the smooth curved edges and it doens't have a color tint like some glass tanks can. Thats my two cents. But yes.. sorry.. you are going to be entering the contest. Besides you could use a misting system. Remember the contest rules...you don't have to be finished with your project. You've got three weeks to plan out your design and make a thread. I would like to see drawings and dimensions. The layout for the bottom, filtration, water features, etc, etc. What type of frogs are you going to be putting in there, what type of background, the materials your using for your backgound, the type of plants (with names), mosses, what type of lighting, misting sytem, ....hmmm anything else. You've got a lot of work to do. Better get busy.

[Leefrogs]

bumping up.

[Tony]

I also share Cheri's preference for glass. The light weight of acrylic and resistance to cracking or chipping are nice, but over time you will end up with a scratched up, foggy mess. Acrylic also has a tendency to warp when exposed to heat and humidity which can open gaps that can be an escape route for feeders and smaller frogs.

[Leefrogs]

any tips for attaching doors glass with no metal corners? Drilling holes my only option? Is there an epoxy I can use? Side note/ I have diamond grinders (of every variety) for roughing glass for epoxy

[John]

over time you will end up with a scratched up

Acrylic also has a tendency to warp

Tony's second point makes acrylic difficult to work with if you're cutting a thin sheet. Thicker kinds can be used to make terrariums but that's specialist work in my opinion.

[pez]

You could make some acrylic hinges, but with a glass door. So you paste the hinges to the glass with silicone. I've known people who make it this way.

[Tony]

any tips for attaching doors glass with no metal corners? Drilling holes my only option? Is there an epoxy I can use? Side note/ I have diamond grinders (of every variety) for roughing glass for epoxy

I have only built tanks using E-channel track for sliding doors, I don't know of any easy way to make swinging glass doors. While I have never tried it myself, I have read many reports of attempts to bond acrylic and glass (such as the acrylic hinge on glass doors idea) ending in the silicone failing and the two parts separating.

[Leefrogs]

Thanks everyone! But I will be getting glass or acrylic cut by the pros, and using the glue they use for assembly. I like the idea of acrylic being shatter proof, it is tempered I beleive, and only made it an option as I am stressing on a door, and all it requires for professional apearance. I could go the easy route and just buy a 100 gal, but then I'll be looking at the black aquarium edge, and I'm custom fitting to my house. 1/2 end table, 1/2 terrarium. (next year maybe a coffee table)

I could just make it shorter, UG, and reach from the top, double uuugg!! Would like a frount opening door.

[Kurt]

I prefer glass.

[Leefrogs]

Ok ok, my brain is spinning. Went to a diff glass guy, he said I should go all tempered glass, was no help at all for glass and hinges. Going all tempered would hike price up about 400$!!!!! My dad thinks I'm taking this too serious, and is almost to the point of not talking to me about it. Hence, why I made a post. Hes stuck on making a frame to solve my door issue. I'm ready to just get a 100 gal tank, or go all for that industrial grade plexi that's 10x the price of regular plexi.

[Tony]

Tempered glass is a completely unnecessary waste of money.

[Leefrogs]

Off subject, kinda, I found some one with 190 12x16 and 12x12 tempered panes, all beveled to a 45, perfect for my future dart addiction. I could see a whole wall set up with em'. LOL. 4x12 inch screen at top that flips up. Omg-- I've gone frog crazy!!!

[bshmerlie]

Omg-- I've gone frog crazy!!!

Well...that can happen. The fist step is admittinig it. The second step is stop fighting it.