Successful Humidity levels in a glass tank!

[JLC]

Believe it or not, it CAN be done right here in the desert! LOL

I've got a 15gal set up with a screen top. I covered about 85% of the top with clear contact paper. (Covered the whole thing, then cut each of the four corners out so air will circulate nicely.)

The substrate inside is that coconut stuff that you buy by the brick and soak in a bucket of water. When that is dry, the humidity levels can drop to 20%. I have a bucket of moist, fresh substrate tucked away nearby. I put two handfuls of fresh, moist stuff in the cage and swish it around. The humidity rose quickly to 65%...and will go higher if I put another handful in. It took several days for everything to dry out again with the humidity very slowly dropping back down into the 50's. When it reached 45, I took a couple handfuls of the dry stuff out and replaced it with a couple handfuls of moist....and boom...instant, constant humidity! (Well, constant for a few days anyhow....beats misting 2-3 times a day!)

Just thought I'd share....

[Shelby]

Excellent, Judy! Bed-a-beast/eco earth/whatever they want to call it is great stuff for holding humidity. Looks nice too. All my inverts are on it, and I've used it for my sand boas in the past too.

[Krynos]

Yup! Can be done! We have two glass enclosures here with pretty stable 60% humidity too

We're on the edge of the desert so it's not as tough, but keep on top of it and it's possible

[iceman25]

Yup, its possible if you know how and keep on top of it.

[SnakeySnakeSnake]

I use a 40 gallon glass aquarium with a sheet of plywood as a lid. about 10 small holes drilled in each side of the plywood, and i use about 50 lbs of weights to weigh it down

the rooms humidity is around 25% , with the lid on i keep at about 75% with a decent sized water dish

[4theSNAKElady]

Yes, I'm with you guys all the way...I'm totally into the glass tanks cause they show off my snakes so much better!!! If you know the "tricks" to keeping stable humidity levels, tanks make decent enclosures......I don't know why so many folks knock glass tanks... most of my snakes and ALL of my BP's are in em'!

[ddbjdealer]

I don't know why so many folks knock glass tanks

Its the same reason why people go out to eat a lot more now rather than to cook at home... It's EASIER another way. Misting, covering, partially covering, more misting, using moist substrate every couple of days, or daily... With a tub system, you drill it, put it on the heat tape with a water bowl, and WHAMMO... Instant perfect housing...

Granted, it can be done... but other than for the "beauty" of it.. why? If you're looking for beauty... AP/Boaphile/Vision all make beautiful products that keep husbandry issues a lot more simple than glass!

Just my opinionated opinion.

[rabernet]

Not knocking glass enclosures - I have one - that I hope to get rid of one day. They are nice to showcase your animal, but like Ken said are a LOT of work!

I forget how many BP's you have - isn't it a pain to break down each glass tank every three months for your disinfection cleaning and soaking of the tanks? One tank has me running in fear when that day inevitably rolls around each quarter, I can't imagine having to disinfect and soak multiples!

Much lighter and easier to do with tubs.

If you have the patience and stamina for glass vivs, there's nothing wrong with it. I just am tired of being a slave to it!

Additionally, I don't know where I would put nine glass aquariums once all my "kids" are here.

[tigerlily]

With the constantly damp substrate, don't you need to be concerned about belly rot? I've never used the stuff, so I'm not positive. It just sounds a bit odd to me. (I'm tired this morning so you may have to talk slow and use big words. )

[iceman25]

I think I'll keep my opinions on glass tanks to myself. Although its not like most of you guys don't know them already

EDIT: The above is not meant to ruffle the feathers of those who keep tanks