Quote:
Originally Posted by Serendipity7000
Just make the base a bit bigger than the bar width and use aquarium sealant non toxic to glue the Perspex corners and sides.
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That would unfortunately not go well! Aquarium sealants such as silicon based sealants are designed to work with actual glass as they form a bond, while silicon and similar aquarium sealant does not work with acrylic(such as perspex). What this translates to is a structurally insecure enclosure that is doomed to fail inevitably which ultimately can cost more money and is definitely a safety risk.
A lot of people just aren't aware that you cannot and should not simply throw together acrylic with aquarium sealant, but ultimately acrylic must be bonded on a molecular level with a specialty chemical bonding agent. These aren't impossible to find, but it would need to be ordered online most likely and you'd have to do very careful research to make sure you're getting the right product. However with all the struggle involved, it leads to an even stronger bond than glass would have as it permanently fuses the acrylic on a molecular level.
You also need to be very careful and follow strict protocols whether using glass or acrylic, as both need proper curing time when used with their appropriate sealant(glass)/bonding agent(acrylic). This needs to be done in a well ventilated area far away from any hamster preferably not even in your home.
If you'd rather be able to put the clear base together without having to order special chemicals online to actually put it together, glass is the way to go. It's heavier and more fragile, but being able to easily go to a pet store and buy aquarium sealant to put it together is a definite advantage. You just cannot do that with acrylic, which ends up making you have to wait even longer and potentially spend more money. As much as I love how strong acrylic is and knowing it won't shatter and be a safety hazard if I had an acrylic enclosure and bumped into it, I don't think acrylic is for everyone.