Anyone know how I can do this?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Mar 25, 2010 4:26 pm

I found this pic online when google image searching "crabitat." I really like the way this tank's levels are done with the triangle type shelves. Does anyone know how to do this? I called a couple hardware stores and they said they couldn't cut plexiglass diagonally. Any ideas?

tlivs · Post by **tlivs** » Thu Mar 25, 2010 4:32 pm

haha i found that too when i first started crabbing to get ideas for my tank and loved it! although she doesnt have the right sand or deep enough sand...

when i got plexiglass for the top of my tank, the hardware store said they wouldnt cut it anyways
so i brought it home and did it myself
take a metal ruler and place it where you want the plexi glass cut, then score it with an x-acto knife a good dozen times (just to be sure) and then turn it around and do it on the other side
then place the score on something with a straight edge like the end of a countertop (what i used) and snap it off
it didnt work perfectly for me, especially the first time because i didnt score it enough... you have to make sure its reall deep
after a few tries it was an imperfect straight line

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Mar 25, 2010 4:36 pm

Thanks! I think I might just make some square ones and have the hardware store cut it for me and have a few square levels.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Mar 25, 2010 4:39 pm

Can I use aquarium sealant to connect plexi-glass to my glass aquarium? Is there a particular kind of sealant I need?

SebbyCrab · Post by **SebbyCrab** » Thu Mar 25, 2010 4:52 pm

Aquarium sealant doesn't really like to hold with plexi. Those levels look glass to me. You might be able to use glass just get the edges ground.

[Also, the crabs cannot be in the tank with wet sealant.]

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Mar 25, 2010 5:05 pm

Thanks Sebby! I might just stick to shower caddies, haha.

Karbon · Post by **Karbon** » Thu Mar 25, 2010 5:25 pm

I JUST finnished a bunch of plexiglass work and I can say that you can cut it just etch it till it's a 16th of an inch down.

Once you are ready to glue use loctite plastic glue it's just like super glue a small line down the peice and in 30 seconds that sucker is on there bonded then just seal both sides for added stress relief and those suckers will stay.

I just came across the same pcture and got inspired as well just need a taller tank

if you have any questions feel free to ask

Post by **wodesorel** » Thu Mar 25, 2010 6:58 pm

If you didn't mind the look, you could always use PVC pipe cut to length as supports on the corners. I have a plexi shelf in my 15 gallon, but I needed it to be removable so I used the tubes and joints from a plastic kitty condo and rested the plexi on top. It's just PVC pipes and joints, albeit in more pleasant colors. That way you could seal it into place with aquarium sealant so it's easier to work with and clean, but the pipes will provide more support and keep the shelf from collapsing.

Plus, my Es just scale the pipe to get to the second level.