Dart Den

Hello all,

I am new to the boards, and would like to take a moment to say hello!

I have a few questions, if someone has a sec. For the past several months, I have been reading, and gathering info before diving in. I own a 56g aquarium (30*18*24) that I acquired for the purpose of growing tropical plants, and one day housing frogs. I am fascinated with the plants, and have had a great time playing with them while researching the frogs.

I'm at the point now where I am considering starting to build the habitat. I plan to put in a circulation system, but am unsure of ventilation requirements, since I will be using an aquarium with a glass top. I do plan to ensure the plastic strip is well sealed down, and again will have a circulation system, but no ventilation. Will I run the risk of CO2 poison, if I don't have bottom ventilation? I also travel from time to time, and will be seeding the tank with springtails, therefore if the glass top wasn't opened for a day or two, would that increase the risk of CO2 poisoning?

Thanks, and I look forward to chatting with everyone!

Welcome to Dart Den !

Plants are indeed awesome. A lot of people like the plant part of the hobby almost as much as the frogs!

You need a glass top.viewtopic.php?f=23&t=5579

Here's the CO2 thread: viewtopic.php?f=23&t=4380

You will need some 'outside air' at some point. What is your reasoning on trying not to have outside air as part of ventilation.

CO2 poisoning occurs rapidly with high temperatures. A day to a week without a lid or door opening could be ok under most conditions.

I am planning to use a glass top, but seeing as I am using an aquarium, there isn't any ventilation built into the lower levels of the tank, as there is in most terrariums, i.e. the exoterra. I am not necessarily opposed to outside air, but I read on some other threads, you don't want dry outside air passing into the tank, and if I was to add a vent to the top, i'm not sure if that would vent the CO2, that is lower in the tank?

Thoughts? Do I need a vent?, or is the circulation ok, if the lid is opened every day or two?

Lid opened every couple days is fine.

Thank You!

Welcome! Chuck did a conversion where he laid a 40 breeder on its front where the front pane became the bottom. He then built a custom glass front (was the old top) with dual vents and sliding doors. It's an interesting idea but I am not sure it would work for the dimensions of your tank. Good luck and glad to have you in the board!