Glass, wood or PVC? Choosing your vivarium material
Pros and cons of the three vivarium materials
The three materials compared
- Glass: clear view, hygienic and easy to clean, ideal for humid setups and high humidity. Drawbacks: heavy, breakable and less insulating – which means higher heating costs.
- Wood: insulates well and saves on heating, lighter than glass and a natural look for desert species. Drawbacks: porous, sensitive to moisture, harder to clean and prone to mould without good ventilation.
- PVC and acrylic: light, shatter-resistant, easy to disinfect and very well insulated. Ideal where humidity is high, and for transport and breeding setups.
In short
- Tropical species and high humidity: glass or PVC.
- Desert species with high heat requirements: wood (good insulation) or PVC.
- Multiple animals, breeding or transport: PVC.
Whichever material you choose, make sure it has good ventilation and a securely lockable opening – particularly for climbing species and escape artists.