UV blocking acrylics for enclosures?

[grayzone]

Was wondering if this would be beneficial for building better tank lids for my tarantulas?
Apparently, it glues fine (as its not chemically treated like some types of plastics) and blocks out harmful UV rays.
Could this be better suited for ts that are deemed more "photosensitive" than others? Would purchasing a sheet of this vs standard acrylic be a waste of money?

 

[poisoned]

Without knowing their visible spectrum it's impossible to know. I don't think they are specialized for UV spectrum.

 

[arachnidsrva]

That "special" material that you're checking out might actually do a better job... but I highly doubt you or your t's will notice any benefit

All acrylics reject UV lighting to an extent and they don't handle it very well. Don't get me wrong, it lasts a long time outside.. but it tends to warp and manipulate as temp rises/falls - air pressure changes... it is constantly expanding and contracting. They cast it in many varieties - but I'd want to see how big your lids need to be before saying anything.

Send me some dimensions and I'll cut you some with a hole pattern too if you want.

 

[Tarac]

Plain old glass blocks most harmful UV. It works for a filter in molecular biology and physics applications just fine, cuts off all those wavelengths.

But the question is just as poisoned pointed out- what range can they see anyway?

 

[Rob1985]

In my old place I had my T's on an exposed book shelf. When I wanted the lights on I would cover the enclosure to my "light sensitive" T's with a towel. It's a cheaper alternative.

 

[grayzone]

well, i usually make lids for 2.5 gal tanks and theyve never warped.
I made one for a 5 gal, which warped slightly over a year or so, but all in all it still looked good.

I scored that stuff off craigslist for a steal of a deal, but am now out of the sheet.

I have a whole bunch of slings i want to start preparing for so i will likely have to buy at least 2 sheets of 24"x36". If cut right that is enough to make a good amount of 2.5 gal lids