Posted by:
chris_harper2
at Tue Nov 2 10:46:30 2004 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by chris_harper2 ]
My biggest gripe with aquaria is the access issues. There are some ways around it, but it's never ideal, IMO.
Regarding health, ventilation, and temperature gradiant issues, it might be helpful to specifically look at the species you are planning on housing in this aquarium - a bearded dragon.
My only concern is access and how it specifically effects sanitation issues. With a basic, one-piece lid and lights/heating elements on top it will be hard to do quick cleans. For example, if you're on your way out the door in the AM and you notice your dragon has deficated in its water bowl. With having to move lights, etc. aside will you actually take the time to change the water or will you save it until you get back from work?
Beardeds are messy animals. Who knows what the long term effects of postponing water changes are?
Regarding ventilation and heating efficiency I don't believe these are big issues with dragons. Dragons like very signficiant temperature gradiants and these are usually easier to achieve with well ventilated cages. With a more efficient cage the cooler end of the cage will naturally stay warmer, assuming the same hot spot is achieved at the warm end.
And with the hot basking temperatures necessary for dragons you'll create a significant convection current anyways. I believe there was a German paper showing that a vertical temperature gradiant was sufficent for removing heavy gasses in reptile terraria up to 75 cm in height - about 30". Yours is well under 30".
Still, a small amount of ventilation near the bottom of a cage is better. Just the gap in a sliding door can be enough. But if this aquarium is a good deal you might as well use it, especially if it will serve another purpose in the future. Keep in mind, though, that it may already have leaks. If not, after housing a dragon for a period of time it may develop leaks. These can be very difficult to repair. So if any future use includes water, don't put a dragon in it.
If you're thinking of this tank as a long term solution for your dragon then I would encourage you to consider building a basic cage.
If you do use it for the dragon, at a minimum I'd suggest a two-piece lid. One side can hold all the lights/heating elements, the other can be over the side with the water bowl and feeding area. That way there is a panel that can be removed for feeding, cleaning and water changes. For more thorough cleaning the other panel can be slid to the opposite end or removed.
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Current snakes:
1.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)
3.4 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)
2.1 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)
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RE: well... - chris_harper2, Tue Nov 2 10:46:30 2004