Glass or Screen

[spanky]

I see most setups have screen top. Is it better to use screen tops then glass tops?

 

[ali]

Absolutely! Screen tops allow for the cooler temps that most caudates like.

 

[jennifer]

A screen top will keep an aquatic tank several degrees cooler in summer. I've seen a difference of about 3 degrees F when I converted 2 tanks from hoods to screens. In either case, though, the lid must have a solid fit with no gaps of any kind:
http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/escape.shtml

 

[mark]

Glass isn't recomended because it doesnt allow for much "fresh" air. ALthough if it were an all plant tank, all glass would be okay. For your tank, a half glasss half screen might be okay.

 

[jennifer]

Good point, glass tops don't allow much air exchange, especially if you seal the gaps with electrical tape, which I would recommend. I have 2 tanks with glass tops, but both have an airstone for that reason.

 

[spanky]

Thanks for answering my questions guys. After the holidays I will post some pictures of my setup and T. granulosa.

 

[ali]

Yey! I love t. gran!

 

[stephanie]

We have air-conditioning in our house and it really dries out the air. Does a screen lid do anything to keep moisture in the tank?

 

[ian]

Screen lid does not keep moisture in the tank. It helps air exchange, that included carrying moisture in the air. I will suggest using vapouring machine or just use glass cover (since you use air cond).

 

[jennifer]

For an aquatic tank, evaportion is good, as it makes the water cooler. For a terrestrial tank, it's a tougher issue. The screen lid will keep the habitat cooler, but you don't want things to dry out. If dryness is a problem, you can add coconut fiber to the substrate - it retains water well. And you can spray water in daily. If you already have a hood or glass top, it may be better to stick with that.