Dart Den
Serving the Dart Frog Community Since 2004...
Dart Den

Serving the Dart Frog Community Since 2004...

Thread Rating:
  • 0 Vote(s) - 0 Average
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Glass top needed
#1
Trying to figure where i can get a top for my 18" Exo locally around Dallas.
Reply
#2
I don't know what part of Dallas you're in, but I've been getting my glass cut at Glass Contractors in Allen - they're far cheaper than anyone else I've tried in the Plano-ish area. You can also get real thin glass cut at most Lowes -- I wouldn't trust it to replace the screen top (the stuff is so thin it breaks if I look at it hard), but you could possibly set pieces of this over the screen sections of the stock top.

I usually get 1/4" plate cut to replace the screen top entirely; this runs less than $20 at the place in Allen. If you go this route on a recent-vintage Exo, you'll probably want to grind out the four insets where the top latches cut into the rim of the tank; this takes about 30 seconds with a Dremel if you have one handy.
Reply
#3
Sorry i didn't email ya back, been running around like a chicken with it's head cut off and spaced out...


Lowe's, ace hardware or me.
What some see as death, others see as beauty.


Casper
Reply
#4
All info is apreciated, I just don't want to start my new build without one.....too many animals in the house. Don't wanna contaminate.
Reply
#5
I always just run down to ace and have them cut a piece to spec. I had 4 pieces cut to cover 4 10 gals and I believe it cost $27.
For Zoo Meds I get the glass cut about an inch or so short of the length the screen (ventilation) and just lay it on top of the tank. Yes I leave the screen assemblies in place. I do the same thing for Exos but get 2 pieces cut to fit the top. Those can both be adjusted for ventilation by tilting as needed.
brad
Reply
#6
I copied Brad - works great. Prior to that I had lexan cut to spec and replaced screen. Too much trouble and expense vs setting a piece of glass over top.
Scott - North Dallas
Reply
#7
In addition to being so easy, the glass on top lets you get rid of the tank some day the same way it was purchased - all parts intact. It makes cleaning a lot easier as well.. take the glass off, go rinse it, you're good to go. And if you ever need to get into the tank from the top you're all set. A few strips of painters tape works great to keep the glass securely in place.
brad
Reply
#8
I take the top to a glass shop (used the one in Wylie) have them cut it an inch or two short and have them drill me a 5/8 hole for my misting nozzle, then silicone it on top of my exo top on top of the screen , so I have a front vent.
-Beth
Reply
#9
I was planning on new tank, frogs and a mist king. But I gotta save for world championship BBQ in Vegas. Hopefully I'll find the money though!
Reply
#10
lol.. I guess my approach is probably overly elaborate; I dremel out the tabs in the rim, build a vent section across the front with window screen rails, corners, and no-see-um mesh, measure the remainder and have 1/4" plate cut to fit, screw a 2-3" piece of 1/4" plexiglass to the vent section, drill it for a 5/8" misting bulkhead, and drill an additional 5/8" hole towards the back of the glass to mount a fan on another bulkhead fitting.

[ATTACHMENT NOT FOUND]

Pic is the front of one of my exo tops. The light fixture is in the way, but it's just 1/4" glass from there back, with a 5/8" hole towards one of the corners for a fan mount.
Reply
#11
That's pretty slick Chuck, nice and clean looking. I imagine if I had a misting system I'd go about things the same way you and Beth have.
brad
Reply
#12
Thanks!

It seems to work; got the idea from the plexiglass "screen corners" that Mistking sells; there appears to be enough airflow and the 1/4" plex is thick enough that it doesn't warp from the humidity. A couple of minor notes I didn't mention above -- I glue the screen down to the plex at the center (with gorilla glue or similar) before cutting hole in the screen and the attaching the fitting, just to keep it from ripping out from there; also, if you cut the plex about 1/2" long to extend over the glass, it helps hold the glass and the screen section together.
Reply
#13
IDPM Wrote:I always just run down to ace and have them cut a piece to spec. I had 4 pieces cut to cover 4 10 gals and I believe it cost $27.
For Zoo Meds I get the glass cut about an inch or so short of the length the screen (ventilation) and just lay it on top of the tank. Yes I leave the screen assemblies in place. I do the same thing for Exos but get 2 pieces cut to fit the top. Those can both be adjusted for ventilation by tilting as needed.

Is it possible for you to post pictures? I just can't quite get a visual in my head of what you mean (sorry newb here). and what thickness of glass will work?I just bought an exo terra and am wondering how I am going to do the glass on top. It is a 36x18x18. Thank you!
Alex
Just Starting....
Making a Viv for 2-3 Azureus
Reply
#14
Thanks for giving me a reason to clean the tank top. Here's what my Exo looks like. I had 2 pieces of glass cut to fit inside the plastic trim. The piece in the back has been pushed in firm. The piece up front not so firm so it can be angled for ventilation as needed. Not sure of the glass thickness, probably same as as your standard picture frame.

[Image: 2012-10-17_15-02-58_766.jpg]

[Image: 2012-10-17_15-02-50_805.jpg]
brad
Reply
#15
Cool, thanks for the pics. I'm just trying to see what everyone else does, and then decide what I want to do.
Alex
Just Starting....
Making a Viv for 2-3 Azureus
Reply



User Panel Messages

Announcements
Announcement #1 8/1/2020
Announcement #2 8/2/2020
Announcement #3 8/6/2020