I have been using a 40gal Zilla tank as a closed chamber for my leopard. I was covering the screen lid with aluminum foil but had holes cut out around the lights. My humidity would average 60-80% but never less than 50%. I sprayed it minimally 3x a day with warm/hot water. Often, I sprayed it more than that. It was work but my leopard was growing perfectly smooth.
Eventually I traded out the aluminum foil for a clear plastic and tape top. I liked being able to see down into the enclosure. For fear of the lights burning the plastic I made the light cut outs slightly larger than the fixtures. I didn't notice at first but eventually (a month or 2 later) saw some slight pyramiding on my leopard. I bought a new digital hydrometer that offered high/low records by AcuRite and noticed my humidity was not staying up or constant. I was spraying so often and still couldn't keep it up. After a few days of this I realized I had to fix my lighting holes. That change is when my problems started. That small opening was so significant. I lined the light fixtures with an aluminum foil ring that goes 1inch under the lamp and 1 inch out from the edge. Already since doing this I have seen a huge improvement! My humidity ranges from 80-90% for about 4 days straight before dropping to 75%. Then I spray a few warm squirts and I'm good for a few more days.
With my CHE on thermostat for 80F my indoor tank is literally self maintaining. With the aluminum cover before (up to the rim of the light fixtures) I still had high humidity but I had to spray a few times a day. I never minded that but whoa, what a difference a few small holes in the top make!
My leopard still looks great. What pyramiding did start is very slight and hardly noticeable. I'm just glad I have it set up better now. Even if it is only used as an evening and bedtime enclosure for my lil' guy
The whole tank (that is a piece of romain lettuce and Mazuri on the rocks)
not the prettiest top, but its benefit FAR outweighs the unattractivness
I put a small white shelf you can buy to put in your cabinets for extra storage into the tank and decorated the top part with plants. The tortoise can fit clearly under this and it acts like a plant canopy while holding up the hydrometer/temp gauge.
under the canopy is the terra cotta saucer
Eventually I traded out the aluminum foil for a clear plastic and tape top. I liked being able to see down into the enclosure. For fear of the lights burning the plastic I made the light cut outs slightly larger than the fixtures. I didn't notice at first but eventually (a month or 2 later) saw some slight pyramiding on my leopard. I bought a new digital hydrometer that offered high/low records by AcuRite and noticed my humidity was not staying up or constant. I was spraying so often and still couldn't keep it up. After a few days of this I realized I had to fix my lighting holes. That change is when my problems started. That small opening was so significant. I lined the light fixtures with an aluminum foil ring that goes 1inch under the lamp and 1 inch out from the edge. Already since doing this I have seen a huge improvement! My humidity ranges from 80-90% for about 4 days straight before dropping to 75%. Then I spray a few warm squirts and I'm good for a few more days.
With my CHE on thermostat for 80F my indoor tank is literally self maintaining. With the aluminum cover before (up to the rim of the light fixtures) I still had high humidity but I had to spray a few times a day. I never minded that but whoa, what a difference a few small holes in the top make!
My leopard still looks great. What pyramiding did start is very slight and hardly noticeable. I'm just glad I have it set up better now. Even if it is only used as an evening and bedtime enclosure for my lil' guy
The whole tank (that is a piece of romain lettuce and Mazuri on the rocks)
not the prettiest top, but its benefit FAR outweighs the unattractivness
I put a small white shelf you can buy to put in your cabinets for extra storage into the tank and decorated the top part with plants. The tortoise can fit clearly under this and it acts like a plant canopy while holding up the hydrometer/temp gauge.
under the canopy is the terra cotta saucer