[Temp-General] Insulating 40 gallon glass tank

[AaronSB]

So I know that a glass tank is just about the worst thing to keep boas in, but seeing as it's all I have for now, I need to come up with the best ways too keep the temps and humidity up while making it look good.

I was thinking of insulating 3 sides of the glass and 3/4 of the screen top.. Is this material ideal?
Sponge Neoprene With Adhesive 1/8" Thick X 54" Wide X 1' - Rubber Floor Coverings - Amazon.com

I like this because I think it would look a lot better than the pink 1/4" thick Styrofoam. But I'm wondering if it will be good for holding in heat and humidity..?

I have a UTH and CHE currently, and my temps are about 8 degrees too low.. with my humidity dropping quickly/often. I have foil paper on top for now, but I wonder if switching to the sponge neoprene on top would be better..

Thoughts? Thanks!

[zamora]

Re: Insulating 40 gallon glass tank

I have never used that so can't comment as to whether it would work well or not, maybe someone else can chime in. We used this: Rmax R-Matte Plus-3 - 1/2 in. x 4 ft. x 8 ft. R-3.2 Polyiso Rigid Foam Insulation Board-754404 - The Home Depot

Good luck and trust me, start saving for a proper enclosure, you will be SO SO happy you did!

[Reinz15]

Insulating 40 gallon glass tank

Welcome to the forum Aaron.

I have two glass tanks. I don't use insulation, not to say that it is not a bad idea. For all the changing temps and humidity requirements I had every wattage of heat bulb and CHE under the sun, along with back ups. I'm a back up kind of guy.

Then while doing some cleaning I came across a table top lamp dimmer switch. D'OH!! It hit me, all I needed was a 150 watt bulb and adjust with the dimmer.

Works like a Champ!

You can buy these at Loews or Amazon for $15 or less.

[Reinz15]

Insulating 40 gallon glass tank

I forgot;

as far as the top, the problem with a porous top such as a towel or neoprene is that they can become bacteria traps when exposed to constant moisture.
I prefer the foil wrapped a couple of pieces of cardboard if you have a top without the divider. This way you can adjust them for ventilation when humidity gets too high. I do have that problem sometimes.

Another thing to aid in humidity is a large bowl of water directly under the heat lamp.

Oh, if your top has dividers, just make cardboard/foil inserts for each one and remove if necessary.



Adjust as necessary (below)


With dividers (below)

[USMC32]

Re: Insulating 40 gallon glass tank

I have a 55 gallon glass tank I use for a pair Brazilian Rainbow Boas of all things. I was able to get my temps stable by using 4 ceramic tiles at the bottom. I used flexwatt heat tape under the tank itself (not inside the tank). The flexwatt is 11" and runs one half of the tank (between one side of the brace underneath). I have a Johnson Controls a419 thermostat running the flexwatt. The thermostat is the most expensive part of this setup at $75 wired and ready to go on Amazon. Inside the tank I use shredded coconut bedding bc it holds humidity well and will not mold. I only use bedding in one hide on the hot side as a "sauna" which help them through shed. The rest of the hot side is bare tile sitting on the hot glass. The thermostat probe is ran inside the tank and taped to the top of the tile. The thermostat is set to 88*. On the cool side of the tank, I put down 3" of bedding and a hide buried 1" into the bedding. For water I use a sterlite tub. I don't know the number or size off hand but it large enough that it just fits the width of the tank. This large "water dish" is placed half on the hot side and half on the cool side. Keeps the water warm enough for good humidity but not so warm that the humidity reaches 100% all the time. My humidity is perfect at 75-80%. Oh, and the screen top... I just simply covered 3/4 of the screen, maybe a bit more. My hot side temps stay at 88* on the tile and about 82 ambient. Cool side temps stay between 74 and 78. There is also branches and what not for them to climb on both sides that allows them to thermo regulate even more.

Just what I have done. Maybe you can take something from it. I think you can do a lot with glass tanks. Just may take some more effort to get everything right.

[USMC32]

Re: Insulating 40 gallon glass tank

Forgot to mention. The ambient temperature of the room itself is also at 74*. This helps regulate all of my enclosures.

[AaronSB]

Re: Insulating 40 gallon glass tank

Thanks! I didn't even think about the neoprene or towel causing a bacteria problem..

[AaronSB]

Re: Insulating 40 gallon glass tank

Thanks, this is great info. Especially the bit about the ceramic tiles! And I agree, I figured that although it may take some extra work, I can get it to work. Thanks again.

[AaronSB]

Re: Insulating 40 gallon glass tank

Okay thanks for the recommendation! And I agree, I want to get boaphiles when I have the money!

[BoigaBoid]

Re: Insulating 40 gallon glass tank

40 gallon glass tanks are gross. 40 gallon glass tanks are ugly. 40 gallon glass tanks have fat butts.

EDIT: Sorry, thought this was the "Insulting 40 gallon glass tank" thread my bad...