My tank is vertical simply because that is the only tank I had available for them. Ideally you would use a horizontal setup. What my setup does show is another option when it comes to firebelly tanks. My bottom is all water and then I have two turtle docks on either end. I also have three rocks that sit in the water that allows them to stop and rest while in the water. The advantages of a fully aquatic set up is that it is very easy to keep clean. Firebellies go in and out of the water multiple times a day. With this setup there is no dirt for them to drag into the water. Then I use an external canister filter to keep the water clean. You could also use water heater much like they use for fish to keep the water warm. Tetra sells one made for turtles that has a cover over it so they don't get burned by the heater if they touch it. The main disadvantages of this setup is you lose a lot of crickets when they jump into the water before they are eaten. You don't have to worry at all about humidity because they spend most of their time sitting on rocks in the water. I have tried many different ways to setup FB tanks. I don't feel this one is any better than some others ways just different. If you provide a large water section for them you don't have to worry about humidity and you can heat the water to keep them warm.