Is it common for acrylic to begin to warp so fast?

[RockSW]

It's a 5 gallon acrylic enclosure from from lorex plastics I got exactly a week ago and its already starting to warp a little. It's housing a heterometrus spinifer so am I am heating it slightly (basement) with a 25W bulb 8 inches from the lid as well as misting and dampening the substrate every few days. Hard to see from the pictures but I have to push the front in to open/close the lid latch.

If this is normal its not a big deal since I won't use it for anything small enough to escape but if not I could find an alternative.

Pictures attached, thanks.

 

[KaroKoenig]

With heat applied not homogenously, acrylic will warp. Makes it pretty unpopular in our neck of the woods.

 

[DomGom TheFather]

Acrylic is great but has its limitations.
Large enclosures and heat bulbs.

 

[moricollins]

The answer is yes. Heat and humidity equals warping acrylic

 

[The Snark]

With the pictured enclosure, non plate acrylics, stiffeners need to be explored. Corners to resist sheer stress and laminations are the industry standard way to resist and control warping.

 

[Ferrachi]

This thread is like deja vu...

 

[RockSW]

If thats as bad as it gets I can deal with it. I just don’t want it to suddenly fall apart.

 

[The Snark]

If thats as bad as it gets I can deal with it. I just don’t want it to suddenly fall apart.

Keep an eye on the joints. Any indication of separation just get it ultra clean and grab the solvent.

 

[moricollins]

This thread is like deja vu...

But here there isn't anyone saying that "acrylic doesn't warp"

 

[RockSW]

Acrylic is great but has its limitations.
Large enclosures and heat bulbs.

I really thought it would be ok with such a small amount of heat at a distance, especially considering these things are sold as reptile enclosures.

 

[DomGom TheFather]

I really thought it would be ok with such a small amount of heat at a distance, especially considering these things are sold as reptile enclosures.

If it wasn't warped before then I would put money on it being the light.
It is being heated in one area. It causes the acrylic to soften slightly and expand. The cool sides and corners are not in sync. This can cause torsion, buckling, flexing... Warping.

 

[viper69]

It's a 5 gallon acrylic enclosure from from lorex plastics I got exactly a week ago and its already starting to warp a little. It's housing a heterometrus spinifer so am I am heating it slightly (basement) with a 25W bulb 8 inches from the lid as well as misting and dampening the substrate every few days. Hard to see from the pictures but I have to push the front in to open/close the lid latch.

If this is normal its not a big deal since I won't use it for anything small enough to escape but if not I could find an alternative.

Pictures attached, thanks.

Yes this can happen. Esp with thinner plastic. 1/4” is less likely to warp.

If I recall once water invades the space the warping really starts “quickly”.

The heat you mention also contributes

Lastly I’ve not read good things about Lorex, but maybe their products have improved

 

[RockSW]

Yes this can happen. Esp with thinner plastic. 1/4” is less likely to warp.

If I recall once water invades the space the warping really starts “quickly”.

The heat you mention also contributes

Lastly I’ve not read good things about Lorex, but maybe their products have improved

Was offered a refund, just gonna sent back, dreamco has a sale right now for similar size with 1/4 thickness.

 

[RockSW]

On a side note you guys have any suggestions for night viewing? I loved the IR bulbs b/c I was feeding at night and could see everything but thats not an option now.

Maybe a black light? I assume they can see UV though.

 

[MrTwister]

I use color changing led pod lights. They have brightness adjustments, so dim light or red at night. I have tried blue but it seems to bright.,

 

[Dorifto]

Those lamps with that bulb can focus heat in a specific spot, so if you add moisture to the equation = warp.

Also I wouldn't use that kind of lighting, they emit a lot of heat and could dehydrate the T pretty fast. Instead I would use a dimmable led lamp, you can find them pretty cheap, eg: fish tank lamps, or a led strip from aliexpress.

You have led stripes that can change the color with a remote. So you can choose red for the night and dimm to your preferences.

 

[viper69]

On a side note you guys have any suggestions for night viewing? I loved the IR bulbs b/c I was feeding at night and could see everything but thats not an option now.

Maybe a black light? I assume they can see UV though.

I wouldn’t use UV. I heard here for Scorpions UV light softens their exoskeleton, would think the same for Ts

I like dimmable blue LED, eaisier for us to see in blue than red.