+1 Usumbara

HS I would second your approach - a thought; on your diagram you indicate to use about 1/3rd of your surface area for the reservoir, - don't you think scaling it down to lets say 1/6,1/8th... you would still have a large enough source for humidity as well as usable water but your stable surface area would increase? (more area for the T and feeders to move around).

Yup, the diagram is just for illustration purposes, and the first one will probably be made with quite a big reservoir, but sure, there is nothing wrong with making it smaller.

Anyhoo, this is just for fun right now, but if i can eventually be left with an enclosure that can maintain it's humidity better, allow good airflow, make for easy cleaning and be safe for it's inhabitants then I will have succeeded.

HeteroScuderia wrote:
With the reservoir, one can also use a small piece of fish tank tubing to syphon out the old water and add some fresh water once every so often. But I'm starting to think adding a drainage hole on the front corner will be a better idea, just remove the plug, drain the water and replace it. The fact is, because the reservoir holds much more water than a small water dish, you will have to change the water far less, so it will save you time in the long run.

What will you use as a drainage hole/plug? if you decide to go with it.
Siphoning idea can work less chance of leaks. Just have to use the larger pipe you can get a bigger flow out of or you will end up spending far more time cleaning out your water reserve.

HeteroScuderia wrote: I don't know of anyone selling tanks like this locally? If you do, please supply the details coz i would love to buy some.

I must say I do like the idea of front opening tanks,like what Robc uses, it saves on space and it looks so much nicer.
Easier to work with and clean.
As far as I now there is no one making tanks like this, just the odd few who make there own private use.

I'm just throwing thoughts and first hand experiences out there.

What thickness of glass will you use in the front, for the door?
I had a wooden tank that had a glass door that opened in the front.flipped down. it had 4mm shatter proof glass so one thing you must keep in mind is to make it as safe as possible or as safe as you feel.
I would think you would need to use safety glass for the doors.
If you have an accident and you let the glass slip out of your hands will you are opening it up it can become quit dangerous. Cold cut you might cut you.

I have had first hand experience with glass doors.
believe me I found out why they call it shatter proof glass, it exploded into hundreds of pieces. when I was closing the door, it got caught on something as I was closing it and it exploded.

Really would like to see how the test tank will look when it is done and if it will work with regards togetting the right amount of humidity.

I have an idea.

lets say your enclosure is 200x200x450 (millimeters)
you keep the front door which is better than the top ones.

Now create a removable water reservoir about 200x200x50(your water tank should fit in easily from the bottom)
and create a holder for substrate about 195x195x25.
This will leave 5mm gaps between the edges, I think 3mm might work better.
55/60mm form the bottom of the enclosure create 10mm edges in the corners (and in the middle) for the substrate holder to rest on.
now you'll have a removable water container, with a draining capability.
for larger T's I think this might work nicely but for slings... you'll need to put something in those 3mm gaps to prevent them from drowning.

Exo Terra manufacture front-opening terrariums; they can cost silly amounts of money, but they are perfect for arboreals.

Link: www.exo-terra.com/en/products/natural_terrarium_large.php