DIY from a fish tank?

[Sharlynn93]

I was recently provided a 65 gallon aquarium and was wondering if anyone here has had experience with converting them to front opening enclosures? It is 36" long, 24" high, and 18" deep...I was thinking of taking off the front panel, having it cut into swing doors, and making some sort of top for it to affix a RHP and full spectrum lighting? hoping to make this into an adult enclosure for a GTP...have a year or so before it would be needed to be finished...

[LarryS]

I think Terranaut did one.

Probably best way to do this would be to lay the tank to its front and have sliding doors installed in the top opening (which would now be the front)

That would give you a 36w x 18h x 24d if I understood you correctly. Maybe go to a taller cage down the road, but that should be fine unless it ends up being a large female.

Mounting RHP might be interesting, maybe epoxy some brackets??

[Sharlynn93]

I thought of that, but liked the height of it as it stands...hmm...not a big deal to buy an enclosure, but thought since I have this and have no interest in using it for fish, that maybe it could be rebuilt...lots of time yet to decide, though...

[Terranaut]

Yes I did this with a large "tank". Layed on it's side. I built a wooden lip and used industrial adhesive to hold it onto the glass. Built a door and hinged it to the wooden frame. It worked out ok at best. I put all my ventilation holes in the bottom of the door.
The bottom viv
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j9/terranaut0/20130220_161556_zps99f4e2f5.jpg

[Sharlynn93]

that turned out nice :) thinking I will save the tank for something else...not keen on the turning on side idea...wanted the height :( no biggie...I could use this for a species that doesn't need humidity someday, or even sell it...thanks! :D