Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a couple of things I am aiming at doing with my Exo Terra tank 36x18x18" that I am
setting up after storing it for a while. I have had problems in the past with not being able to
keep temps and humidity up as high as I would like for this habitat.

I am looking for feedback or suggestions on how I can do this perhaps better.

1) Having glass cut to fit into the 4 rectangles on the top cover to better hold in humidity. In
the past I took a cheesy way out and just lay a towel over the top of the tank...this did allow
me to soak the towel once in a while to try to get the humidity up but tended to dry out way
too fast.

2) Room that I keep the tank in has a tendency to run lower on temperatures as well as humidity.
To correct the temperature problems I am looking at putting 2 undertank heaters on my tank. One for
the "cool side" using a 500R. One for the "hot side" using a Herpstat Intro. Between these two I am hoping
to be able to better regulate the temp through the entire tank.

Thoughts on any issues that I may run into with making these 2 basic changes to my tank? I know that raising
the humidity up in the Exo Terra has a high tendency to cause rust on the less than great tops but I can
deal with that down the road when I look to replace the entire top with something custom. Appreciate any suggestions from "real world" experiences.

Also, any highly recommended UTHs? Thanks in advance.

I have the 18x18x12 high and ran into the same issues. I wanted to make my own top and remove those flimsy top panels, but I never did. Ended up using a piece of foam panel over the top screen sections. Helped.

The 2 heat pad idea will work - each on a different controller like you said. Probably the easiest way is to use 2 lengths of THG heat tape - the 6-inch wide stuff. That is fantastic heat tape and will cover most of your cage floor. You can run it lengthwise, one piece towards the back and one towards the front. Leave a little extra space around each strip to add even more gradient. THG heat tape is available at Reptile Basics, Inc. It has a bit less watt-density than Flexwatt, but I use it in a cool room with no issue. Alternatively, you can use Ultratherm heat pads. They are wonderful in function. However, the sizes that may or may not combine for what you want (maybe an 11x11 for the hot area and a 11x17 for the less hot area). Also, there are Intellitemp heat mats from Big Apple that come in sizes that you may be able to combine to better fit under the cage. Figure out the space you want for heat and for less heat, then go from there.

BTW, I used 2 heat strips too. But one controller. One heat strip went directly to the controller, and the other heat strip went to a lamp dimmer then to the controller. I simple ran one strip cooler via the dimmer. Worked because my controller is pulse proportional (works with ON/OFF too). Does not work with true dimming controllers.

Glass tanks, or any glass cage, will be relatively difficult to maintain heat and humidity in a cool room compared to plastic or wood cages. It ends up taking lots of power in heating to achieve the desired result.

I like the idea of glass because it is an inert material. Works fine for herps that do not require high humidity throughout the cage (where a local humidity box is fine) and herps that can be OK with the unheated part getting cool. For anything else, glass cages do not cut it.

Where glass tanks are great is when the room is reasonably warm, and only a small heater is needed (or no heater) in/on the cage.

I have tried to keep boas/pythons in an unheated room in glass cages. Forget it, not worth it. A cheap plastic storage tub works far better. For rosyboas and hognose, glass works fine (maybe even better..).

You didn't mention species of inhabitant.

>>1) Having glass cut to fit into the 4 rectangles on the top cover to better hold in humidity.

Any local glass company can cut you glass to fit the top. Additionally big box stores stock 2.5mm or 3/32" glass up to 36" in post cases. As well as the tool to cut it, as well as sanding stones to smooth the edge. Cutting a piece to cover 90% of the screen top will increase humidity and air temps within the enclosure. Leave a small strip of exposed screen at the front or rear to create a draft effect for air exchange.

>>2) Room that I keep the tank in has a tendency to run lower on temperatures as well as humidity.

I despise under tank heaters they do more heating the shelf than the animal's space inside. Consider using a Radient heat panel or choosing a species that doesn't need a high basking temperature.
-----
Jeremy Payne