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Hot Glue Tack, then Silicone?

Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2022 12:06 pm
by Happyshamrock73
This is something I am playing with. Tacking up pieces with the hot glue gun, then after it cools and dries, siliconing in place. I have been using gravity, masking tape, and clothespins up until now. Who knew silicone was going to be my biggest learning curve?

Anyone tried it? If not, I will let you know how it goes. I hope to have my 55 gallon crabitat up by Thanksgiving.

Additionally, I am highly committed to making an Exo Terra Nano (8x8x12) work as a topper just right of center. This will give me room to also add a Mini Tall (12x12x18) to be put at the right end.. Part of the reason I am so committed on the small size toppers is that I am short (5' even) and my arm reach is actually kinda of short for that height. Even on the base shelf on which it will sit, the higgest topper would be at about 5 feet.

We currently have 2 Med/Lg Purple Pinchers that previous owners got in summer 2020. They are currently (and came in) a properly set up 20 gallon. I am hoping to add 2-3 small Purple Pinchers next spring or summer.

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Re: Hot Glue Tack, then Silicone?

Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2022 1:22 pm
by wodesorel
I wouldn't rely on the hot glue to hold longterm, so if you're just using a dot to arrange things then your plan sounds good. Silicon holds perfectly by itself, but while it cures its messy as all getout and it's hard to hold things in place.

Don't forget that when the toppers are turned upside down, the door opening will be at the rim of the 55. You may not need to worry so much about the height? I have a few inches on you and have several overhead enclosures for various animals, I just make sure the daily care stuff like water bowls are no more than shoulder height, and then I break out my trusty step stool for heavy cleaning a few times a year. The largest front opening that can fit on 12 inch tanks is the 25 gallon from either rzilla or zoomed, can't remember which company makes it, it would be about 2/3s of a 55 gallon.

Re: Hot Glue Tack, then Silicone?

Posted: Wed Apr 12, 2023 4:07 pm
by Joulesaffection
I know this is an old post, but I'm doing research, to turn my ZooMed into the tank topper, and have the same issue. I am 5ft 1/2 inch.
I got the ZooMed because of the doors. I bought a small coffee table, (with high weight rating), for my tank, so that it is not as high.
I am hoping it will still work when I switch to create the topper.

I talked to my husband about when we upgrade, I need something low.