QiGongGuy, since you asked and are taking a poll and this is the main business I have been in with hubby for 20 years I feel I need to give what info I can about the different materials here without being to technical.
The different in materials are as follows:
A) Acrylic which is labeled to the general public as (plexiglass) & thicknesses you can buy retail is .100, cracks, breaks, stains easier, warps in direct sunlight, yellows & scratches easily. Is the 2nd least expensive material. Available from hardware stores in .100 of an inch, & sold thru Glass shops in 1/8" increments. So 1/8, 1/4, 1/2 . This is cut with an acrylic knife.
B) Polycarbonate sheet does not break, stands up much better to cleaning & is U.V. Coated to stop yellowing & heat retension which minimizes warpage. This is the most expensive material, but stands up and will outlast longer than all other materials. This is sold only thru a Glass shop such as ours. It is cut with a circular saw. It comes in colors and thickness 1/8" and so on.
C.) Float Glass in 1/8" standard window glass, is naturally breakable, but does not warp, yellow or scratch. It is cut with a glass cutter. (don't ask me to cut it, I still can't
) This is least expensive material to use.
D). Tempered 1/8" Glass is 8 Xs stronger than standard glass, does not scratch, stain, warp, yellow... virtually no maintaince. This is the 3rd most expensive of the four, but in my opinion is the best bang for the buck to use if you are building your own cages. Also the edges are not sharp so you do not have to worry about getting cut. This has to be ordered to size because you cannot cut it. Tempered glass is cut at the factory and then tempered in an oven.
So if you are building your own Mantis house these are some of the usual materials you can use. Just remember to use a silicon or glue appropiate for living things. Our silicone is used for aquariums and has no mold inhibitor in it. Mold inhibitor is toxic to animals. Check the food and drug website
http://www.fda.gov/ for glues suitable for the material you choose to use.
Email me if you need any more info on the above or for pricing on any of the material. I know the silicone is very expensive for a tube on the web. See "others for sale" on what I sell it & the cutters for!
