So I have been thinking of using my glass 125 for a reptile enclosure for about 6 months maybe then back to fish. Worried that maybe the silicon could dry out in that time. The reptile needs 85% humidity so would you think that may save the seals. If not I won't use the tank and go with plan B.
Questions for a lizard/fish keepers
- Thread starter Jexnell
- Start date
I’ve left tanks sitting in garage in CA heat for two years and filled it back up NO PROBLEM
Plan B is the acrylic tank. Now we have all seen the top of an old acrylic tank right, how it's warped and discolored from the lights. Would that happen to the whole tank with heat and UVB lights inside of it for 6 months or so?
Acrylic may scratch under reptiles nails depending on the species
I've kept reptiles for a few years now. And there have been times when I quickly need a hospital tank for some fish, so I put my geckos in a different enclosure and used their tank. I've never had problems with the silicone sealing. And the gecko tank is kept in the 80-90 F, and low humidity, so even the dryness and high temp has ruined the silicone. Silicone usually degrades with age, so I would check the age of the tank (if the tank wasn't resealed). There's usually a slip of paper in the bottom edge of the tank. Just look at the bottom of the tank edge and you should find a piece of paper that has the date of when the tank was made.
And an acrylic tank will get scratched up really bad from the lizards. Especially if you're planning on keeping bearded dragons. they enjoy clawing at the walls. stick with the glass tank is my advice. you shouldn't have problems with the silicone that are the result of keeping it as a reptile aquarium.
oh wow, I just realized how long ago this thread was created. lol. But yea, I think seeing the construction would be educational. I've always bee kinda interested in building my own tank.