So you picked up a vivarium off Temu. Cheap and cheerful, right? But once you’ve got it set up for dart frogs, you quickly notice the issue — the gaps. Massive ones. Big enough that your fruit flies throw nightly raves in your living room.
This quick tutorial (video below) shows a dead simple way to fly-proof the whole thing using just sealant and a razor blade. No fiddly foam strips, no mesh mods — just a clever gasket trick to keep everything inside where it belongs.
Why it matters for exotics keepers
Fly-proofing isn’t just about keeping your place tidy. Escaped feeder insects can turn into a full-blown infestation. Fruit flies and phorid flies can take over your home, especially in summer. And if you’re running a bioactive setup, they’ll compete with your cleanup crew too.
If you’re breeding dart frogs or raising tadpoles, the last thing you need is flies escaping every time you open the door. That’s how cultures crash and stress levels rise .
The gasket trick: sealant + blade = clean edges, no gaps
Here’s the method I used in the video:
- Seal the gaps completely — Use a bead of aquarium-safe silicone or flexible sealant anywhere there’s a visible escape route. Focus on the top, sides, and especially door seams.
- Let it cure fully (usually 24 hours).
- Use a razor blade to cut a clean line through the cured sealant where the door opens. This creates a soft gasket that closes back up when the door shuts — tight enough to block even the tiniest flies.
That’s it. Looks clean, works beautifully, and doesn’t mess with the function of your doors. remember, select the right size enclosure! this example is too small for Dart frogs)
Works best on:
- Temu-style budget vivariums
- ExoTerra vivs
- Glass-fronted enclosures with sliding or hinged doors
- DIY builds with imperfect joins
Keep your viv bioactive, your flies contained, and your frogs happy. This is one of those little hacks that makes a massive difference.
