Anyone use pegboard as a tank cover?

[freelancer]

When putting together the new tank for Chew, I made a top out of pegboard, instead of using a typical screen cover. I had read that it would hold in humidity better. This is for a 29 gallon tank. On the Zoo Med 12x12x18 cube he was in previously, I had the screen top with 3/4 of it covered with aluminum foil. I mist the enclosure every day or other day.

Humidity used to be at 60% on average, sometimes dropping to 50 or rising past 70 on certain days. Now, in this new tank, the average is 55%. After I mist, it will go up but it doesn't seem to stay higher, like it used to in the old cube.

Another thing I noticed is that the temp went up a few degrees, to about 80. That's actually good for my boa.

So what are your experiences with pegboard? I think I may start looking for a screen cover after all. I even put in coco bark, which should have helped hold in humidity better than the former aspen substrate.


Click if you don't know what pegboard is

[Custom Exotics]

Pegboard will just soak up the humidity, even if you put the coated side down, it will go up through the holes and soak in that way turning the pegboard into a mess, I would definately go with a screen top.

[freelancer]

Pegboard will just soak up the humidity, even if you put the coated side down, it will go up through the holes and soak in that way turning the pegboard into a mess, I would definately go with a screen top.

I've seen that happen before, but wouldn't think it would be affected too badly by the tank environment. I think you're right that it's probably sucking up whatever humidity I can get in there instead of holding it in, though. I figured I would try a couple of small experiments on this tank since I can't get straight answers for some questions about my snake's husbandry, and I guess this experiment failed

I'm going to start looking for a screen top. The tank I happened to get has a curved front, so I'll have to do some searching for the top or make my own.

[bobbi]

i have a curved tank as well, we had to make a lid. total pain in the butt but it turned out ok. we used wood for 3 quarters and coated hardware cloth for the other quarter. keeps temps and humidity pretty good and heat as well. its only been like that for about a month now so i don't know what effect the humidity will have on the wood over time but if need be i'll just get new wood

[freelancer]

i have a curved tank as well, we had to make a lid. total pain in the butt but it turned out ok. we used wood for 3 quarters and coated hardware cloth for the other quarter. keeps temps and humidity pretty good and heat as well. its only been like that for about a month now so i don't know what effect the humidity will have on the wood over time but if need be i'll just get new wood

It looks like I'll be building one too. This might be a good idea for me (scroll down to the bow front tank cover):

http://www.all-about-screen-doors.co...umscreens.html

[freelancer]

Here's what I did:



I found a 16x7 framed screen at Home Depot, cut out a hole in the middle of the pegboard, and bolted it down. It was $2. If the temp goes down a little, and the humidity goes up, it stays. If not, I'll scrap this top altogether and make something else. I also put in a sandwich container with humid moss, and he loves it. It ruins my semi-naturalistic aesthetic, but what are ya gonna do?

The other thing about the new screen cutout is that now I can see him better, even when he's in his fave spot at the top of the branch.



That screen should improve ventilation considerably, without letting out too much humidity. I hope. We'll see what happens.

[Ben Biscy]

i have used peg board before, and still have one 110g with a pegboard top (probably 10 years old now). lol, fuss all you want; it works, and well at that .

[freelancer]

Who's fussing? The humidity went way down and the temp went a little up. Obviously, there's a problem that needs to be remedied. I put in a digital gauge to replace the old Zilla, and the average readings have actually been 84* temp, and 45% humidity.

Right now I'm at 81* and 51%, so that's an improvement.

[Ben Biscy]

Who's fussing? The humidity went way down and the temp went a little up. Obviously, there's a problem that needs to be remedied. I put in a digital gauge to replace the old Zilla, and the average readings have actually been 84* temp, and 45% humidity.

Right now I'm at 81* and 51%, so that's an improvement.

i keep a water bowl in the vicinity of the heat pad, humidity stays between 40% (winter low) and 70% (summer high).

i'm glad it's working well for you! nothing better than a plan gone right!

[freelancer]

i keep a water bowl in the vicinity of the heat pad, humidity stays between 40% (winter low) and 70% (summer high).

i'm glad it's working well for you! nothing better than a plan gone right!

I had moved the water bowl but maybe that will help as well, so I'm going to move it back to where I had it before and see what that does for me.

The big issue here is that he's not eating, but he was a ready feeder before the tank change. Healthwise, he looks just fine. He seems to like the tank well enough (after a few days of adjustment). When I handle him he's the same as he's always been: a little shy and nervous, but docile and settles down with me fairly quickly.

While considering other possibilities - he might just be fasting, as some snakes do - I've realized that the humidity could be the culprit. I'm going to offer another mouse tomorrow now I've taken a step in the right direction.