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Post by ree123 on Nov 19, 2012 11:37:24 GMT -6
I want to buy some thick/sturdy plastic sheeting to go over many of my open tanks to reduce evaporation, yet be easy enough to slide off for feeding and cleaning.
My research to date has told me that clear Plexiglass or similar products come in an array of thicknesses and that there are two types to choose from.
The cell cast type and the extruded type with pro's and con's to each. I have also learned there are several different manufacturers with various brand names,....................and an array of prices !
I have found these items @ Lowe's and Home Depot and on line.
Ain't none of them cheap, but there is an array of prices like I said.
Can any of you shed light on this subject for me so I can make a better informed decision ?
I have been looking @ the 3/16" thickness so it is not to flexible and thus bowing later on over open tanks, yet not to thick to be cumbersome when I move it on and off. .093 seems to be the thinnest and to flexible,... and it goes up to several inches in thickness,... w/ lots of choices on line,... and only a few choices @ local stores.
I am looking @ clear Acrylic or Plexiglass too, so light will penetrate for my viewing and for my live plants.
BTW...it is known as Acrylic, Plexiglass, Lucite, Acrylite, etc....
Thanks for any conversation and advice that any of you are willing to share !
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Post by AlanM on Nov 19, 2012 13:00:07 GMT -6
There are dozens of different grades some with UV protection, anti-shatter, scratch-resistant coatings, etc. Depending on the size of your tank, 3/16 will probably be fine. Larger tanks (more unsupported area for the top) might require going with 1/4. Plexiglas, Acrylite and Lucite are brand names for acrylic sheet. For your purposes, there's little difference so I'd shop for price. It can be brittle, so be careful cutting it. There are videos on YouTube showing the proper technique. I'd glue a small inexpensive handle on each one to make them easy to remove.
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Post by tpindell on Nov 19, 2012 13:40:28 GMT -6
If I needed multiple lids with the only requirements being cheap and clear, see if you can find some scrap glass. Old cracked tanks that are going to the dumpster, old windows, etc. and grab a glass cutter.
How much is glass at Lowes/Home dept? IIRC they do cutting there as well.
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Post by ree123 on Nov 19, 2012 13:47:44 GMT -6
Having not looked @ Utube yet......how does one cut plexiglass.acrylic sheet plastic ?
I was looking to steer clear of glass, not only cause of weight, but because I had in mind that I would be taking these covers off and on all the time and standing them on the floor when doing tank maintenance and scooting them around when feeding. No hinges, just sheets laid over tanks, some individual tanks and some multi tank set-ups sitting in rows.
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Post by kyangelsncorys on Nov 19, 2012 13:51:33 GMT -6
Rick i buy lexan in 4 x 8 sheets to make the bills for the balsa wood crankbaits i make and i have tryed the thicker stuff on some tanks before and i went back to glass. Unless you use really thick acrylic then its going to sag after some time and it gets scratched up over time. If you call around to some of the glass shops and ask if they have any salvage plate glass from store windows they will sell it to you really cheap if they know you are wanting it they will save it , other wise alot of them just chip it up and sell it as scrap. I have a standing order with 2 glass shops so they will call me when they are fixin to go replace a window that is cracked. They will even cut it the size you want for a small fee.
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Post by tpindell on Nov 19, 2012 14:21:43 GMT -6
Having not looked @ Utube yet......how does one cut plexiglass.acrylic sheet plastic ? I was looking to steer clear of glass, not only cause of weight, but because I had in mind that I would be taking these covers off and on all the time and standing them on the floor when doing tank maintenance and scooting them around when feeding. No hinges, just sheets laid over tanks, some individual tanks and some multi tank set-ups sitting in rows. Router or even a jig saw will cut the plexi, I have done it a few times and with the correct blade/bit and speed you will have no issues (other than plexi scrap/dust all over ya )
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Post by jon carman on Nov 19, 2012 15:52:00 GMT -6
Go glass, plexi sucks unless you get it thick. that is $$$
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Post by mruble on Nov 19, 2012 18:21:40 GMT -6
Lowes cuts plexiglas if you buy it from them.
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Post by kyangelsncorys on Nov 19, 2012 19:51:18 GMT -6
rICK IF YOUR GOING TO BUY VERY MUCH OF IT THEN IT WILL BE CHEAPER TO BUIY IT WHERE I BUY THE 4 X 8 SHEETS AND THEY WILL CUT IT FOR YOU. ITS A PLACE IN GALLATIN TEX ME AND I WILL LOOK THE NUMBER UP FOR YOU TOMARROW
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Jo
FORUM PARTICIPANT
Posts: 71
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Post by Jo on Nov 20, 2012 19:48:53 GMT -6
My hubby is a glass man and he made me some tops for a 55 I had years ago from plexi-glass, they slide sideways open. I did not care for it as much as glass tops or canopy's but it worked.
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Post by jon carman on Nov 20, 2012 21:16:30 GMT -6
Plexiglass warps when it gets warm I spent $100+ for a few tanks to throw it all away. It will work, but glass won't be to much more.
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Post by jon carman on Nov 20, 2012 21:19:21 GMT -6
Glass cages cut mine for cheap. Just don't pay until you make sure they are sanded.
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Post by ree123 on Nov 22, 2012 0:33:52 GMT -6
rICK IF YOUR GOING TO BUY VERY MUCH OF IT THEN IT WILL BE CHEAPER TO BUIY IT WHERE I BUY THE 4 X 8 SHEETS AND THEY WILL CUT IT FOR YOU. ITS A PLACE IN GALLATIN TEX ME AND I WILL LOOK THE NUMBER UP FOR YOU TOMARROW Text sent Mike. Thanks so much !
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Post by ree123 on Nov 22, 2012 0:34:39 GMT -6
Having not looked @ Utube yet......how does one cut plexiglass.acrylic sheet plastic ? I was looking to steer clear of glass, not only cause of weight, but because I had in mind that I would be taking these covers off and on all the time and standing them on the floor when doing tank maintenance and scooting them around when feeding. No hinges, just sheets laid over tanks, some individual tanks and some multi tank set-ups sitting in rows. Router or even a jig saw will cut the plexi, I have done it a few times and with the correct blade/bit and speed you will have no issues (other than plexi scrap/dust all over ya ) Tim, What is the correct blade and speed ? Could one use a drimmel tool to cut with ? Does thickness matter when one considers how to cut it ?
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Post by ree123 on Nov 22, 2012 0:36:48 GMT -6
My hubby is a glass man and he made me some tops for a 55 I had years ago from plexi-glass, they slide sideways open. I did not care for it as much as glass tops or canopy's but it worked. Jo, What did you not like as much about the plexiglass ? Was yours to thin ? Did it yellow ? Did it warp ? Etc......... What would you do/buy different if you were gonna go plexiglass/acrylic again,...........if not glass ?
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