Aquarium hood question

[leanne]

I am currently housing my adult male and female eastern newts in a 10-gallon aquarium which includes a submersible filter, small airstone, a piece of floating bark for them to climb onto, and 7/8 water other than that (complete with both live and fake water plants, as well as rocks, gravel, and hiding places). My question is: I am using a regular aquarium hood since I enjoy turning the light on occasionally, so that leaves their source for air being the back 2 inches of the hood, all the way across (with screening on top of it). Is this enough oxygen for them? Just want to make sure. Thanks for any advice!

 

[elizabeth]

<font color="ff6000">I'd prefer more so the air is fresher on top of the water. Even with the metal 10 gallon screened lids you buy at the store, you can use the light strip on them. I believe they go for about $9.00. Without adequate ventilation, you will have high humidity and may not be able to see in the glass. If you CAN see in clearly, it should be plenty of room. </font>

 

[jennifer]

Since the tank has an airstone, there is no doubt that there is plenty of air/oxygen available. A screen lid might improve ventilation of the air on top of the tank (which will lower the water temp slightly), but the setup you currently have is fine.

 

[leanne]

Beth and Jen,
Thanks for the help! I might go ahead and keep the setup the way it is until it gets warmer this season, then look for a screen and the $9 light, excellent.

I was worried that since the newts didn't breathe under water that the airstone wouldn't help them, so thanks for the reassurance on that!

 

[i.]

I keep my front flap open too with a screen, that way there's ventilation in the front and the back of the tank.

 

[leanne]

Maybe I ought to do that---rig something up with the front so the cat can't get in and the newts can't get out.....thanks!