- Joined
- Dec 8, 2006
- Messages
- 19,161
I love Avics. Lately, I have seen more Europeans posting pics/vids of their Avic containers, including those that breed Avics.
Which has led me to question what is the "proper" geometry to achieve proper air flow for Avics?
The European T community often uses glass vivariums quite similar to the one used for Dart Frogs. Europeans have a very advanced vivarium hobby compared to the USA, ie it's more mature in my opinion.
These containers the Europeans use have a metal screen at the back on the top glass section, and one screen at the lower front, surrounded by glass on all other sides w/out holes.
The USA community has access to acrylic containers (with obvious cross ventilation on the sides at a minimum), and the Exo-Terras from Haagen (a European company, German if I recall), which are modeled after the design below. The Exo-Terra's have top ventilation, the plastic below an Exo-Terra's front opening doors offers ventilation as well, as does the gap between the glass doors. How much ventilation comes through the door gaps and front piece for either setup remains unknown to me.
I don't know why acrylic containers are not as widely available in Europe as they are in the USA.
On the forum here, USA members (myself included) mention "cross ventilation" is needed each time we see some dead Avic post or questions about an owner's Avic container.
We usually recommend numerous holes in the sides of the container for proper cross-ventilation. I have yet to read a response from a USA keeper that has suggested a European style of design (unless they mention an Exo-Terra).
The European glass containers do not have the air flow design that we in the USA almost always suggest, yet the Europeans are doing quite well in raising and breeding their Avics in very different configurations than what most people in the USA use.
So, the question is does the geometry matter at all to the Avics? It seems it doesn't. I know very little about aerodynamics, and the flow of gases, so who knows.
Or is the importance on proper gas exchange regardless of how it occurs when it comes to raising and breeding Avics?
I'd be interested in any input, esp from the European keepers, long time Avic breeders, and other thoughtful individuals.

Which has led me to question what is the "proper" geometry to achieve proper air flow for Avics?
The European T community often uses glass vivariums quite similar to the one used for Dart Frogs. Europeans have a very advanced vivarium hobby compared to the USA, ie it's more mature in my opinion.
These containers the Europeans use have a metal screen at the back on the top glass section, and one screen at the lower front, surrounded by glass on all other sides w/out holes.
The USA community has access to acrylic containers (with obvious cross ventilation on the sides at a minimum), and the Exo-Terras from Haagen (a European company, German if I recall), which are modeled after the design below. The Exo-Terra's have top ventilation, the plastic below an Exo-Terra's front opening doors offers ventilation as well, as does the gap between the glass doors. How much ventilation comes through the door gaps and front piece for either setup remains unknown to me.
I don't know why acrylic containers are not as widely available in Europe as they are in the USA.
On the forum here, USA members (myself included) mention "cross ventilation" is needed each time we see some dead Avic post or questions about an owner's Avic container.
We usually recommend numerous holes in the sides of the container for proper cross-ventilation. I have yet to read a response from a USA keeper that has suggested a European style of design (unless they mention an Exo-Terra).
The European glass containers do not have the air flow design that we in the USA almost always suggest, yet the Europeans are doing quite well in raising and breeding their Avics in very different configurations than what most people in the USA use.
So, the question is does the geometry matter at all to the Avics? It seems it doesn't. I know very little about aerodynamics, and the flow of gases, so who knows.
Or is the importance on proper gas exchange regardless of how it occurs when it comes to raising and breeding Avics?
I'd be interested in any input, esp from the European keepers, long time Avic breeders, and other thoughtful individuals.
