Building cool & intermediate tanks, how? - Orchid Board

Jeff9 · #1 08-13-2010, 09:44 PM

Hello,

Made a topic about buying lights in the other subforum a while ago, and want to hang these above a tank.

I would like to start off with building a intermediate tank first as this spans most of my collection, and needs to be decently large. The cooler tank can be smaller as i am going to use it for miniatures only.

So on this (click) site that i want to buy my lights also they build custom terrariums for a decent price. I am just wondering if these will suit my needs. I'm talking about the first column called "standard terrariums"

Need to be able to mount lights above them (suspended from ceiling or ontop of the tank etc.)
Holes and space for fans and misting nozzles (possible on this site)
Preferably want to add a drain in the bottom for excess water.

The terrariums on the site are made from glass, but to me it seems plexiglass would be much better to handle and easier to modify later on (like drilling extra holes)

Thoughts on this, plexiglass vs. glass?

Would like to discuss this a bit maybe someone can give me some insight that has built alot of tanks before.

Jeff

AuGrower · #2 08-25-2010, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff9

Hello,

Made a topic about buying lights in the other subforum a while ago, and want to hang these above a tank.

I would like to start off with building a intermediate tank first as this spans most of my collection, and needs to be decently large. The cooler tank can be smaller as i am going to use it for miniatures only.

So on this (click) site that i want to buy my lights also they build custom terrariums for a decent price. I am just wondering if these will suit my needs. I'm talking about the first column called "standard terrariums"

Need to be able to mount lights above them (suspended from ceiling or ontop of the tank etc.)
Holes and space for fans and misting nozzles (possible on this site)
Preferably want to add a drain in the bottom for excess water.

The terrariums on the site are made from glass, but to me it seems plexiglass would be much better to handle and easier to modify later on (like drilling extra holes)

Thoughts on this, plexiglass vs. glass?

Would like to discuss this a bit maybe someone can give me some insight that has built alot of tanks before.

Jeff

Yea so I was going to say Dutch but i found the English button(the flag to the UK top left of website for anyone else) I'm looking at the biggest tank in the standard section and I know you said you want it kind of large but that seems like a reasonable size personally i'm gunning for something 48" wide that is 121.92 centimeters i think. that would be better also the Width may be a problem if you plan on doing a backdrop like most people do in their tanks but the Height seems to be good. Plexiglas is a type of acrylic and from everything i have read it seems to be better than glass especially in the modifying part but that would just be what i have found on the net although there is some stuff about acrylic warping but if these guys do this for a living I'm sure they can tell you more about it. Let us know what you decide and I do have to say I'm more than a little jealous they aren't here in the states good luck!

swords · #3 08-29-2010, 03:05 AM

If I were going to build I would use real glass, it is not usually any more than using DIY acrylic. Real glass is far sturdier structurally and there is no chance it will warp and pull away from the silicone. Acrylic, plexi and lexan sold at hardware stores will deform/change color over time with heat, humidity and light. I have done many tank customizations and building of small planted vivaria for my individual mantids and I won't be bothered with using acrylic again. Glass is easy to cut, polish the edges and assemble it only takes a few practice cuts to get the knack and then you can build any size tank you want.

As for cutting holes for incoming cold air you can always make the top of one side not go all the way to the top and affix your ventilation and cover the rest of the gap with the cut away glass strip, basically you're making a square hole instead of a round one.

If you have a proper glazier shop you could also have them cut all your glass and cut the hole you need. In the American hardware store we can buy a circle cutter, it's like a drawing compass but holds a glass cutter. You set the diameter you want and spin it around, then cut an "X" inside the circle, turn the glass over and tap out the "X" and circle from the back side.

On ebay you can also order a special "diamond hole saw" drill bit for around $20 in whatever diameter you need. Fits any standard drill but you MUST have running water on your glass to use this (keeps the glass cool). The hole cutter and tapping is easier but doesn't give as "professionally clean" perfect hole of the hole saw.

Jeff9 · #4 08-29-2010, 06:16 AM

Thanks guys for clearing up about the glass, i will indeed ask for a quote soon and see what it will cost me in the end.

Any ideas on how to cool a tank (minus the fans) read about swamp coolers and peltiers but they are not very effective i heard.

AuGrower · #5 08-30-2010, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff9

Thanks guys for clearing up about the glass, i will indeed ask for a quote soon and see what it will cost me in the end.

Any ideas on how to cool a tank (minus the fans) read about swamp coolers and peltiers but they are not very effective i heard.

Not sure if you can make this work but i did find this and I would imagine it works well however the fact that it is an air conditioner it will def lower the humidity but im sure there are ways around that http://www.orchidboard.com/community...closure-2.html

Jeff9 · #6 08-31-2010, 04:53 AM

Thanks, i believe i have read that post. However isn't an airconditioning unit very expensive to run power wise? If you have it running 24/7 that is all year around.

Mathias · #7 08-31-2010, 06:12 AM

Jeff, maybe this blog can give you some hints on how to build your intermediate/cool tank:

cool vivarium build « Orchid Karma :: An orchid blog