Well when i built my old one I had it up and running for 3+ years and it worked beautifuly. Im not sure whats gonna go in there yet, the last one was a multi-species tank (yes i know, not good) and had geckos, RETF, pygmy chameleons, rough green snake & salamanders. it was really cool to see all that life, but i wont be doing that agian, to much upkeep.