Substrate vs. Plants in pots?

[Trillian]

I have a large glass Exo-Terra viv, the humidity and temps have been no issue, but drainage is a pain. As I have a female and need to put a laying bin in there, I'm tempted to swap out the peaty/soily substrate entirely and just put a few pots of plants in there. There are already a couple of live plants in there (orchids) and they are doing okay.

But then I'm thinking the plants might take up too much room with pots in there too, and if I'd be better off getting a large screen cage (can't find a supplier for the really nice Penn Plax HD Screen enclosure, with a glass front) and it might stop her scratching at the glass all day.

And THEN I'm thinking that the bay window in the kitchen would be a really nice place for a free range area, with a waist-high marble top and a nice deep ledge, loads of electrical outlets for lights etc...

The DIY cages are SO reasonably priced, if they did one with a glass front I'd totally buy it.

Really stuck, but would appreciate some observations and experiences from people!

 

[Ulrich]

I would stay away from the window glass as it blocks UVB but boosts the temp. Very hard to control.

 

[Trillian]

Just back from the vet, he said he reserves judgement on the glass viv, as long as it maintains adequate conditions for her, but she has a hookworm infestation (she's WC) and he says it's going to be impossible to shift it while the substrate is assisting the worms so well, so decision made!

 

[JonRich]

Well the glass vivs are PERFECT aside from one thing, most arn't large enough to house an Adult Panther or Veiled..

I have the same issue you are dealing with. I considered planting my viv with soil/sand and have the whole thing as a egg-laying bin. But then there is drainage.. And the plantpot idea went out the window when i tried to put a potted plant in there and the pot took up 1/2 the vertical room.

I would definatly go with a DIY cage. You will have plenty of room. I would do a umbrella plant at the bottom and a Pothos hanging from the top.

 

[reptilover]

As far as the Penn plax hd. I looked into that bad boy. Found the big 2x2x4 ft. One on amazon.for 152.00. I ended up going for the LLLreptile all screen if the same size and saved the 50 bucks. Diy was out if stock when I needed em most.. so LLLreptile got my business and has kept it with great service and gret product.. I diy is good to If there bacj in stock

 

[JonRich]

I would stay away from the window glass as it blocks UVB but boosts the temp. Very hard to control.

The viv she is speaking of has a screened top that allows for UVB and airation.