Aquarium Tank

[ChikinInThePines]

ok I know this probably doesn’t deserve to go under “coop”. But I’ve been having some concerns lately with my button quails.
First off, the housing I use is a 65(or 75?) gallon glass tank that is long. I have 4 Quail that live in it. I have a filter which sits on the top left of the tank for dust, and 2 lights; One for heat, and one for fake sun.
Recently one of my buttons has somehow gotten an eye infection, and another one has blood in her stools. I am a little concerned about ventilation in the tank maybe causing health issues. The buildup of ammonia I know can irritate eyes, and walking through feces is just dirty. I try to keep it as clean as I can, but it takes almost half a day to clean as its awkward and gets filthy.
Any suggestions on what I can do to maybe keep it cleaner, or have more ventilation for them. (Although they do sometimes jump and get out so I would need a mesh of some sort).

 

[3riverschick]

It may be the heat .I raised chicks in a 50 gallon incubator once and found it got especially hot because of the glass. it radiated the Heat and made it hotter than I thought it was .
why don't you just get a plastic tub and use that? cut part of the top out and secure some hardware cloth to a hole in the top of the plastic tub .
Yes the heat was hotter and the ammonia was a lot worse than when I use my big plastic 120 gallon tubs.
probably a lot easier to do.
Karen

 

[aart]

I have a filter which sits on the top left of the tank for dust

Is it a static filter to keep dust out of house.......or fan driven?

I am a little concerned about ventilation in the tank maybe causing health issues.

Definitely a concern unless you are circulating some air in and out of there.

I try to keep it as clean as I can, but it takes almost half a day to clean as its awkward and gets filthy.

As nice as an aquarium might be, something easier to maintain would be much better.

Heat may also be a factor.

 

[Folly's place]

I'm concerned about ventilation also, and what's their bedding? I would use the fine baled shavings for horses, and never le that smell develop! Is your waterer leaking? That's not good either. Why a heat lamp? Unless they are VERY young and not feathered out, room temp. is fine! You do have a hardware cloth top, right, not solid?
When we had a small flock of Japanese quail, they did fine indoors with ambient lighting and temps.
How about a big home-built structure, with hardware cloth everywhere? Mary

 

[MokiYoki]

You can take the front glass off of the aquarium and replace it with hardware cloth. What materials and tools do you have avalible to you?

 

[aart]

You can take the front glass off of the aquarium and replace it with hardware cloth. What materials and tools do you have avalible to you?

Not a bad idea if they are willing to sacrifice the water holding aspect.
Could frame out some access doors too.

 

[MokiYoki]

Not a bad idea if they are willing to sacrifice the water holding aspect.
Could frame out some access doors too.

Thats what i was thinking, but it all depends on what supplies and skills they have avalible. Also if they dont damage the glass it can be restored later its just difficult.