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Fun with Plexiglas
     
 

Just a note, I don't know how safe this is, so try at your own risk.

The product used in this experiment was a Palsun polycarbonate sheet.

          
 
I had a flood a while back. It didn't take long to figure out why. My new topoff system had more than just one flaw (the first being that it only used one suction cup which I remedied by adding two more) but also it was open to attack! Here you see the attack!
And this is what I did about it! Its not glued anywhere, but kept in place by the substrate and a hunk of live rock. This "SHOULD" keep these hermits off the switch.
Now the fun. At first I was going to just cut two pieces and make a corner box. But then I had an odd idea, why not make a curved piece. I thought about a hair dryer, but that didn't seem to be enough for such a large piece. Now you see what I did. (BTW - my wife was taking a nap during the process!)
Here you see the melting just starting. Don't open the oven like I did, also use a lower rack. It took about 10 minutes on the second try to get better results. Oh, make sure the cans are empty, the first try created a nice burnt bad beer aroma...
This is the first try, its ok, but very bubbly and not well done. If you open the oven door to check all the time, the end toward the door does not come down all the way.
Here are the two pieces. I used the second try on the left. Still a little bubbly, but it worked like a charm. It took a total of 10 minutes at 300 degrees. I would suggest perhaps 250 degrees with a longer time. This may keep the bubbles away. It was fun, and it worked. Hope the fumes aren't bad, although I never smelled a thing on the second try (after emptying the beer cans totally)
All images (C) 2001, and may not be reproduced in any form.

 

 

 

Fun with Plexiglas