[Thomas01]

I bought a large Exo Terra tank to do a build and I've been keeping a bunch of plants in it until I was ready to build. I had a Repti-Fogger set up on top to help with the humidity until I put it together. I took the tank down to the garage tonight so I could start it and I just noticed that the screen top is all rusted. I've only had this tank a couple of weeks. Is this normal??!! It seems that since they sell this tank as a "Vivarium" it should be built out of materials that won't rust, at least not that quickly!!!!


Thanks,

Tom

 

[Azriel]

From what I have heard, lots of people have issues with the screen rusting. You'll need to replace the screen with a glass top anyway, this keeps the humidity high enough for dart frogs.

 

[Thomas01]

From what I have heard, lots of people have issues with the screen rusting. You'll need to replace the screen with a glass top anyway, this keeps the humidity high enough for dart frogs.

We have a couple of smaller tanks set up and both have screen toops. The hunidity stays between 80-90% is that not high enough?? I'm new to this so please let me know of ANYTHING that I'm doing wrong!!

 

[ConFuCiuZ]

You should keep a all glass lid with a screen vent. You Should replace ypur exp terra screen lid for a all glass lid. You want to keep a good amount of humidity inside tank. You can tell by seeing if your sides of the tank are foggy or wet. it's nearly impossible keeping your humidity above 50% with a screen lid.

 

[Azriel]

We have a couple of smaller tanks set up and both have screen toops. The hunidity stays between 80-90% is that not high enough?? I'm new to this so please let me know of ANYTHING that I'm doing wrong!!

What type of hygrometer are you using? The round plastic dial ones are not very accurate, is that what you have? It just seems unlikely to me that 80-90% humidity could be maintained if you have a full screen top.

 

[Thomas01]

You should keep a all glass lid with a screen vent. You Should replace ypur exp terra screen lid for a all glass lid. You want to keep a good amount of humidity inside tank. You can tell by seeing if your sides of the tank are foggy or wet. it's nearly impossible keeping your humidity above 50% with a screen lid.

Where do you buy the glass lid??

 

[stkupprnces]

I have an exoterra tank as well. I removed the metal mesh screen that comes standard on the tank lid and replaced it with nylon screening. This is usually located in the window repair area. The nylon screening wont rust unlike the metal screening.

I had a piece of glass cut to size and set it on top of the screen. Thought about siliconing it in place but decided against it, because I realized I could pull the glass off and wipe it clean.The mesh also provides support to the glass. The plastic tops on the exo's are terribly flimsy.

If you are interested in seeing the process of removing and replacing the screen, I can post pics. I just need to find them lol.

 

[Thomas01]

What type of hygrometer are you using? The round plastic dial ones are not very accurate, is that what you have? It just seems unlikely to me that 80-90% humidity could be maintained if you have a full screen top.

It's a digital...

 

[Ed]

80% humidity is fine for the frogs (in fact they are fine in lower humidity as well)... It is common for people to totally seal up the tanks to maximize humidity but this isn't always the best for the frogs (or the plants) as it
1) reduces heat loss and can prevent the frogs from thermoregulating via evaporative cooling
2) prevents air flow which can result in plants rotting
3) encourages behaviors that don't occur in the wild..

Ed