Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I plan on upgrading all of my crested tanks for standard 10 gallon aquariums with screen tops. Now, I'm torn between going with a larger glass aquarium-potentially a standard 29 gallon-or going with a larger screen enclosure. I'm really leaning toward the screen enclosure because of the added ventilation and all around better appearance. I expect the screen cage to be roughy 18" wide, about the same deep, and 24" high. So, which would you guys recommend? Mind you, I plan on breeding these guys in the near future.

if the screen enclosure has front accesss go with that!
i guarantee(whatever my guarantee means ) that anyone who tried front access enclosures will never go back to regular top access aquariums.
besides, vosjoli,fast, and repashy's book shows ciliatus in screened enclosures.
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1.1 Gargoyle geckos
0.0.1 asian golden tree frog
1.0 oriental firebelly toad
0.1 european firebelly toad
1.0 albino betta
1.0 orange tabby
0.0.1 asian painted frog
1.0 broad headed skink
0.0.1 fowlers toad
1.1 red eyed tree frog
1.1 red eared sliders
476.769.47 feeder crickets

I think it depends on the humidity of your location. Glass enclosures are a lot better at keeping the humidity up than screen enclosures.

I'm located in NJ. The humidity is average-getting a little try from time to time. do you think i can compensate for the lack of humidity with frequent, less concentrated mistings? For example, rather than have a minor mist in the morning and a large one in the evening, spread it out with 3-5 light coatings?

Seems like no one has the same answer... I do use screen though and like it very much, easy to clean,mist, and great ventilation.

Well, I live in an area that is really dry (the humidity here is usually 40% inside). I have a glass and a screen enclosure. The screen one does require a lot more mistings than the glass one, so it really depends on what you have the time for. I do like the ability to open the front though.

The benefits of screen enclosures, especially with front access, far outweigh the downfalls. As far as the humidity goes, there are many ways to help keep it up. Have a potted pothos or philodendron in the cage. The plants help keep the humidity up, and the large leaves provide excellent hiding places. Also, if you are very concerned with keeping humidity levels up, check out the Chameleon forum. There you can find ideas on using an ultrasonic humidifier or coolmist humidifier and some PVC pipe, which allows you to easily "pump" mist into the screen cages. Set the humidifier on a digital timer, and you are set.

Depending on how many cresteds you have per tank, I would recommend going to reptiledirect.com, where they have smaller screen enclsures (18"x12"x20" made by ESU for $30 (the same ones in Petco for $45). Reptile depot also makes a "Crested Enclosure" that has some sides of screen, and others of acrylic to help increase humidity while allowing cross-ventilation. However, I have had problems with Reptile Depot before ordering online - if you see them at a show and can get them - go for it. If not, you may wait a while before you receive your items. Another cheaper option are the Reptariums, but these are my least favorite as crickets can eat through the mesh; the mesh is very dark and hard to see through, and they can be a hassle to open and close with time.

I don't know where the winky smiley face came from in my last post.