closed vs. open top

[supertrisha]

hey all,

my husband is going to start building a tank soon and i was curious- does anyone have any info on the benefits of a top-access or front-access tank? Dragon has a 40gal breeder that we don't keep a lid on. His lights are suspended from the wall and he has access to get out anytime he wants. My husband is getting ready to build another tank that would be similar- 8'x2'x2' open-topped. I don't have a problem getting the basking spot hot enough, and with CHEs the ambient temps are great, too. I just like the look of the crossfire with the sliding front doors. I'm not worried about anything getting in (cats, dogs, etc) but wanted to know- are there benefits to having a completely enclosed tank, rather than an open-topped tank?

Thanks

 

[RoxyMyDragon]

with an open top when you go to get them out they see you comeing from the top and thinks you are a predator with an open front they can see you better. but i would think if the cage was big enough (you said 8x2x2) you could always put your hand in th opposite side of the cage and slowly breing it to them.

 

[beardie parents]

Our girls don't have a problem with us coming at them like that. They are used to it. We have them both in 40 breeder tanks and don't use the screen top because they are our only animals.

 

[crickest]

I moved from a 40 breeder to a larger, self-made viv with front opening doors and both of my beardies love them so much more. I couldn't keep the tops off, however, due to having cats in the house, so my beardie's experience was a little different. Spark hated the sound of the viv being opened and Ember hated me reaching down into the viv. Now, they are both much happier and I don't have to struggle to get them out of their vivs.

 

[supertrisha]

I can see how it would be easier to have front-opening tanks if they were stacked or a few feet off the ground. We don't have a top on it, period. Thankfully the rest of our critters just aren't interested. Awesome, guys. Thanks for the input- keep it coming!

 

[BeardieBaby69]

I would say one advantage to a closed top (with the entrance in front) would be temperature controll. Heat rises, so if you have an open top , or even a screened top, I would think you would be loosing valuable heat, which is what our lil darlings love ! Im about to build Kiku a new home, she has outgrown hers. I will be making an enclosed viv with front entrance. Also , a closed top will mean you wont have to have the heat light/source turned up as high, using less electricity. So I say it would be more economical to have a closed top. Just my opinion.

 

[supertrisha]

Good point... I wondered if it was hard to keep the temps constant with an open-top design (I have struggled with this before). I could imagine the temps would stay higher with a closed tank... good point.

 

[fresnowitte]

Okay Trish I don't have to tell you what I have as you have seen them all. I have never had any problems using the open top I rather like them because I can reach in any time I want. If you remember I don't use screens either as my beardies are free to come and go pretty much. But I do collect alot of dust out here in the country an I'm constantly having to vacuum out the viv's so they don't get dust bunny's. :lol: I agree with Lori I've never had a problem with the beardies and reaching in from the top as long as they can see you coming.

Now of course if I lived in an area where there were fireflies then I'd probably rather have the front access without an open top just to be safe.

Good luck on that viv can't wait to see it finished. :wink:

 

[supertrisha]

Living in TN, we do have fireflies, but we also have screens on all the windows We love keeping the windows open and letting in fresh air, but we hate little buggies getting in so all of the screens are * really * tight No worries

 

[BeardieBaby69]

HEY ! Im originaly from West Tn !! Where you at ? Im from Weakly County, Dresden to be spacific. Nice to meet someone from around there here. Do you have any pics of your dragon ? would live to see it !