Reptile & Amphibian Forums

How do you keep your vivarium from getting stinky? I don't notice it unless i take the lid off but my friends say my tank is rank.

BTW.. Do any of you ever wake up with flies crawling on your face? Or is it just me?

I've never had a stinky tank with lots of plants and water features, so can't respond to that. How is your tank set up? That might make a difference if you don't have good drainage.

We have lots of escaped flightless fruit flies, but just got used to them. We just add a lot of pepper to the salads when we have guests so they won't know the difference. Serving wine is more of a problem. We probably end up by eating a lot of them--now just consider them a source of protein. They are nothing compared to the house flies we get every fall, and are totally harmless. They just tickle a bit.
-----
Patty
Pahsimeroi, Idaho

4 D. auratus blue
5 D. galactonotus pumpkin orange splash back
5 D. imitator
6 D. leucomelas
4 D. pumilio Bastimentos
4 D. fantasticus
4 P. terribilis
4 D. reticulatus
4 D. castaneoticus

I suspect the "stinkiness" that you are referring to is the natural smell of damp soil coupled with plants, mosses, etc. Some find this smell to be unpleasant...I consider it to be natural. FWIW

I never thought about individual reactions to earthy smells. I love the smell of wet woods and decaying leaves. It never dawned upon me that others might not associate them the same way I do.
-----
Patty
Pahsimeroi, Idaho

4 D. auratus blue
5 D. galactonotus pumpkin orange splash back
5 D. imitator
6 D. leucomelas
4 D. pumilio Bastimentos
4 D. fantasticus
4 P. terribilis
4 D. reticulatus
4 D. castaneoticus

It could be due to poor drainage.