Ok, as some of you may know I have a closet habitat WIP, so, now one of the last things I need is plexiglass and I was wondering, what kind of holes should be drilled, and where for ventilation, and how can I keep the bottom of the enclosure warm, but not as warm as the top, also, I can put like regular door hinges into plexi right? I have the holes drilled already on the wall...so yeah. thanks.

IF you will be drilling into the plexi. Use the drill in reverse, do not force it, it will crack. You will have to use bolts, Use washers with them so you will prevent and other breaking. If you want ventilation, use a grill for a cold air return or something. Just a grill though not a register. Also what will be in this?

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If you are using plexiglass you are going to want to build some kind of frame to hang it from, and if you plan on drilling, I aggree with mooglebass, you can't just drill away, it must be done slowly and you have to use bolts or screws with washers so that they don't split the glass. I would just use the wooden frame and glue it in place, I put a 1x2in frame together to be the back, glued the plexiglass to that frame, and then put 1/2in molding on top of the glass to cover the glue and make it look better. I highly recommend the frame, plexiglass is not very heavy, and cracks easily if you try to drill it or make it hold it's own weight on something as big as it sounds like you are building. It is also much easier to put hinges on it.

As far as temperature variance, I use a low wattage tinted light in the bottom of my enclosure that just raises the temperature a little bit, but not a lot, just enough to keep any cool drafts from causing problems, if you are using a temperature guage that turns your lights on and off, you should use on sensor in the warm area, and one in the cooler area.

I'm not sure what kind of closet you are using, but you may want to put a coat of polyurithane on the walls to keep the humidity from getting to drywall and indoor paint which can disagree with humidity. I don't know if you ever saw a roof leak, but it is unpleasant and it is an expensive repair, that is basically what high humidity will do to your wall over time. Also, if there is an attick access area, you will definately want to tape it shut to be sure there are no drafts. For ventillation, I would take a foot square box, and drill 1/4in holes every inch in a grid pattern, it will make a good ventillation space, and will not involve you cutting a square from the middle of the plexiglass which is quite a task.

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TKE:TT:118

I am gong to have to agree with MRHICKEY!!

It also helps to sandwich the plexiglass between two pieces of wood when drilling holes. Helps prevent cracking and chipping. Sounds like you are going to need a fair amount of plexi. That's not going to be cheap.

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Mike
"Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time, and always start with the person nearest you." - Mother Teresa

My suggestion is by the time get the wood for a frame, plexiglass, which will cost you way more than glass. Cause you will have to have it thicker than normal. I priced a full sheet of 1/2inch clear for 200.00. That was a local glass shop. Lowes or Homedepot, will run you about 50 more. And they dont carry that thick.

Get a glass storm door, or a storm door period. It will be the size of a door, and its framed, and ready to hang out of the box and will lock. You can add some extra locks on the outside of it for extra. The top will slide down for your vent. Id change the screen to metal though. Lowes has an all glass door for 100.00 or one that has 2 windows for 80.00. Its your call, I think this way would save you some time and money.

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Plexi glass scratches pretty easily also. I have it on my Bearded Dragon tank and its so scratched at the bottom you can even see in, lol

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MARSHA
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I have used Plexi and lexan in numerous situations, My recommendation is Don't, it warps and never seals, scratches, and does all kinds of thing just to mess with your mind. Price out glass, though hinges and glass are tricky numbers as well, as above make a wood frame for the glass doors.

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Oh ya, the storm door would look nicer and more professional

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For 200.00 bucks you can go by a tank with a lid!! Haha......I pd. 80.00 for my 50.00 breeder tank, i also paid 40.00 for a 55 gal fish tank from a friend. Sometimes, making homes is cheaper, and sometimes it can just be more then you bargained for. haha