Faunariums OK to house caudates?

[ntny]

Hello Folks,

May i know if anyone here keeps their caudates in faunarium for long term?
Currently i housed all my caudates in Exo Terra PT2310 Flat Faunarium, Large
Exo Terra PT2310 Flat Faunarium, Large
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Exo-Terra-P...o-terra+PT2310

The reason is because i keep all my caudates in a big wine fridge and i am not able to fit any tanks longer than l50cm. these boxes are great for terrestrial caudates. but they have an issue with very low water level because of those air slits on the front and back. i have to cut scrap acrylic pieces and epoxy glue them to allow higher water levels for semi-aquatic and aquatic species...

i also saw a few other types of faunarium from Lee's and Europe
Lee's Herp Haven Breeder Box, Large
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lees-Herp-H...27s+herp+haven

Savic Nobby Fauna-Box
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nobby-25909...obby+Fauna-Box

Komodo
https://www.amazon.co.uk/KOMODO-Plas...modo+terrarium

The Savic Nobby Fauna-Box looks the largest in dimension 50x30x18cm and it doesn't have air slits on the front and back like other types. but they are quite pricey though...
i am wondering if they can make decent housing for semi-aquatic and aquatic species? anyone uses them and care to share about quality? Worth to invest in them?

Thanks and cheers!

[Julia]

I've used the Exo terra style over the last few years for both terrestrial and aquatic animals and generally have been happy. They stack well and are easy to clean. I also like that the lid is well ventilated.
For the smallest animals I've needed to escape proof a couple of areas where the lid catches and I think a hole for tubing on some. The plastic base does mark easily so won't look pristine for long. To prevent insect escapee's I use a fine net between the lid and the base.

[ntny]

Hi Julia,
Thanks for sharing. Great to hear these Exo-Terra faunarium are acceptable for housing caudates.
Yes i thought these boxes have acceptable surface area 46x30cm quite similar to a 10 gallon tank
but they are very low profile and to make things worst those air slits prevents higher water levels.
i have to use scrap acrylic and epoxy glue them but they doesn't look so nice after that. kind off distorted vision LOL. but they are still great for my terrestrial A.opacum and S.salamandra especially with the escape proof lid.

i see you are from UK. Do you use Savic Nobby Fauna-Box before? i see from Amazon, these boxes seems to originate from Europe Czech. highly curious and interested in them.
Another question what kind of filters do you use with these faunarium boxes? especailly the escape proof lids makes HOB and Canister filters diffcult to fit..

Thanks and cheers!

[ntny]

Hello folks,
Just to share, currently i am using old fashion air bubble box filters as below for aquatic and semi-aquatic caudates. they do quite a "decent" job for cleaning faunarium style boxes. they are very easy to install into faunarium as there are 2 airlines holes on the faunarium lids. they are quite "decent sized" at about 4x4x5" inches and can hold quite a bit of bio-media. they also act as some sort of extra hiding places for caudates. however they take up quite some space in faunarium
GEX Roka Boy M Bio Filter
https://www.amazon.com/Roka-Filter-s.../dp/B002RV0IBQ

i am exploring other types of filters
Lee's Quick and Easy Corner Filter, Large seems to stick on the corners of the tank more space saving?
https://www.amazon.com/Lees-Quick-Co.../dp/B0002APX28
Aqua Clear 20 Power Filter i love theses type of HOB filters as they are super easy to clean up but i am not sure how to modify them to fit on the faunarium lid and make sure they are escape proof though? any ideas?
https://www.amazon.com/Aqua-Clear-Po.../dp/B000260FVG

thanks and cheers!

[ntny]

hello folks
just to update, i also came across this interesting filter
[B]Marina I25 Internal Filter[B]
https://www.amazon.com/Marina-A131-I.../dp/B0032GCCP0
it looks kind of like a miniature Tetra 10i/Reptofilter
only 6.3" inches tall i think it may be possible to fit into Exo Terra PT2310 Flat Faunarium, Large without much issues. flow rate is 100L/hr quite weak though
What fo you guys think?

Thanks and cheers!

[ntny]

Hello Folks,
Some questions regarding Live Plants for caudates
Currently i do not have any live plants as i do not have a permanent light source in my fridge. i rely on indirect sunlight from my windows. but they are not strong enough to grow any plants..
i am just using plastic plants for aquatic and semi-aquatic caudates. For my terrestrial caudates i do not have any plastic plants in the faunariums

Is it important to have live plants for caudates or plastic plants will do just fine?
how about Silk plants, are they a better choice than plastic plants?

Thanks and have a nice day

[ntny]

Hi folks
Just sharing, recently i came across some interesting "turtle tubs"
these are decent size about 1/half feet to 2feet long models
they came with top covers to prevent escape they are also transparent clear
i believe they are good options for semi-aquatics. maybe too shallow for full aquatics

https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=...b6093619d5fcdf