pollak edward

I'm not sure why you need that complete a seal. However, go to a hardware store and get some self-adhesive window stripping. That should do the trick.

Ed

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Edward I. Pollak, Ph.D.
Dept. of Psychology, West Chester University of Pennsylvania
Home Page: http://mywebpages.comcast.net/epollak/home.htm
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Husband, father, grandfather, biopsychologist, bluegrass fiddler and herpetoculturist...... in approximate order of importance.

________________________________

From: TheNaturalisticVivarium (AT) yahoogroups (DOT) com on behalf of joseph7787
Sent: Mon 5/8/06 8:15 PM
To: TheNaturalisticVivarium (AT) yahoogroups (DOT) com
Subject: [TheNaturalisticVivarium] Viv's and a mostly airtight seal


Hi all,

I'm trying to get a better seal on my viv to further increase the
humidity in my tank. Right now I use a standard aquarium hinged
glass canopy- very similar to this:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?
pcatid=3781&N=2004+113765

The top edge of the glass and the top lip of the tank are covered
with strong strip mounting adhesive so that it creates a seal. I
think the escaping humidity problem lies in the hinged section that
I use to open and close the canopy. This section just lies on the
lip of the tank- with hardly any pressure or material to ensure a
pretty airtight seal. I can't use the same sealing technique on this
section because I would not be able to easily open and close that
section anymore (feedings, maintenance - etc). Any idea on how I
can create a better seal for this section of the canopy and still
have good easy access?

With those of you that use top canopy's - how do you create a good
seal on the sections you use to open and close the viv?

Thanks

Joseph

joseph7787

Hi Danny,

I am using the plastic strip that attaches to the back.
Unfortunately- more humidity is still escaping than I want.

The set up is a 29 gall tall, and uses two 20 watt fluorescents and
a 55 watt power compact fluorescent. Its a false bottom and has a
waterfall that cascades over a log. I mist daily, however- I'm
looking to mist manually less often and don't want to install a
mister or a humidifier..

Idea's?

joseph7787

Hi Ed,

I don't think self-adhesive window stripping would lend itself to
consistent opening and closings (see my post about that). am I
mistaken?

mark robert

I have "aquavariums" so I never have too little humidity with
clear vinyl sheeting as a cover only held on with file clips.
IOW, I have so much water in the system, the cover does not need
to be sealed tight. You see, with 175 gallons of water and all
"terrestrial items" floating on/at the surface, humidity is never
low.

-Mark

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danny fortin

I like ed's idea. I actually use that technique on one of my vivs to keep fruit flies from escaping. If you go to the hardware store, they sell this rubber weather stripping that has an adhesive backing. I've found it to be quite durable. Good luck!

I am using the plastic strip that attaches to the back.
Unfortunately- more humidity is still escaping than I want.

The set up is a 29 gall tall, and uses two 20 watt fluorescents and
a 55 watt power compact fluorescent. Its a false bottom and has a
waterfall that cascades over a log. I mist daily, however- I'm
looking to mist manually less often and don't want to install a
mister or a humidifier..

Idea's?

brent l brock

Hi Joseph,

Have you tested your humidity with a hygrometer? It's really hard to image
low humidity in the setup you describe. I live in an area where ambient
humidity runs 20% and lower and even with leaky woody canopies I'm able to
retain sufficient humidity for dart frogs without daily misting.

Brent

joseph7787

Hi Brent,

I have not tested with a hygrometer. And most of the tank if fine -
however about the top 20% of the tank dries out too much. In the
afternoons- after I have misted in the morning - there is a line of
condensation on the interior of the tank walls- that is wet below
this threshold and dry above it (the 20% I referred to). So I'm
looking to increase the humidity in the top 20% of the viv..

brent l brock

What is the temperature up there in the top 20% where it is drying out?
Remember that relative humidity is a function of both temperature and
moisture content of the air. As temperature increases, relative humidity
drops. With the light you are throwing into this viv, it would not be
surprising if that top layer is pretty warm. I would say a better approach
than trying to seal the viv more tight would be to try to cool that top
portion of the vivarium. You might try replacing your glass canopy with
insulated glass for example.

Brent

joseph7787

Yes- I'm sure the drying out is a function of the warmth up there-
but I think I will try a little more sealing (perhaps with the
weather stripping) before I swap out the new glass canopy I just
got with the insulated glass u mentioned. Thanks Brent.