HCA: Hermit Crab Association

So tonight I was feeding crabs and I went to re- cover the tank with a glass lid that I have cut and grinded and I was holding it one handed by a corner and it broke, hit the tank and shattered into a bazillion pieces! Thankfully crabs were all still sleeping , most of the pieces fell on the floor. and I found probably the last 2 pieces of glass I have in the basement that I can use as covers.

Which has brought me to my current dilemma: I need to find 2 pieces of plexiglass 22 in by 16.25 inches. Where's a good place to look or get it ordered from?

Your local hardware store should have Plexiglas in different sizes. You'll just need to cut it yourself.

Glass is a pretty stock material for lids. Usually, Plexiglas is used as a lower cost item. Plexiglas is lighter (crabs have gotten out before from threads I've read) , and could bow downwards over time.

How did you remove the lid? Slide, hinge or lift up? Theres an opportunity to upgrade the lid.

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I ordered a piece of plexiglass with a hole in the center for an UVB bulb. I called a glass shop that sells replacement glass for windows and doors and other stuff. It is for half of a 75 so similar in size to what you are looking for. It was around $30 but included the hole in the center. I'm sure it would have been cheaper without.

Like Scarletfire said mine did bow a bit with only the weight of a light on top.

Hmmm good points as always. I was thinking about maybe trying to hinge on the 75. Currently I have 4 pieces cut from what I had available from a stained glass collection covering the 40. I need something to cover the 75 while the 3 down in the 40 finish up molting, I can take the glass off the 40 for the 75 after that. I'll have to cut it a little but that's not too much trouble. Once the crabs molting are done I wont need as much because the 40 will be a topper. I'll probably just need 1 piece 12 inches so it doesn't have to be permanent just last till the molting is over. I'll look for something on the thicker and sturdier side and cover it with some weight and watch how high the can easily get until I can get the topper on.

I got my plexiglass at Hobby Lobby. About $6 for a sheet. By cutting it down I was able to cover my 75 gal lid.

Hermiesguardian wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 11, 2019 12:46 am

I got my plexiglass at Hobby Lobby. About $6 for a sheet. By cutting it down I was able to cover my 75 gal lid.

Ooo that's a good price. I have a hobby lobby trip planned this weekend. I found it online at Lowes as well and I can get away with 2 sheets that I wouldn't have to cut.