Thak you , this is alot of fun and keeping me very occupied. I like that! I'd rather be tinkering and building. Rather than stuck on a couch and unproductive. The joy of my hobbies is to be involved fully. It's easy to buy from a store and set it up in a hour. Then the guns kind of over. It took me 2 years setting my seahorse tank up. I researched and made sure it was totally ready for them. That's what I'm trying to do now. Before I get my leopard tortoise I want the enclosure to 100% tortoise ready. And my wife will let me have hobbies as long as I don't keep us broke with them. So I found of you just think about it, wait, you'll find what you need as a price you can afford. And DIY projects can be affordable and fun if you do this. The tortoise will be the most expensive part.haha
Diy tortise box build
- Thread starter Knap_123
- Start date
I also started messing with the leds a little. My heatsink was going to sit below my brace. I didn't like that , it would look off. So I had to cut it. This way it sits higher and looks better. Not the prettiest cutting I've ever done. All's I had was a hacksaw. I checked on having it cut professionally. But it was stupid high! You know me, cheap! Cheap! Cheap is the way to be. Haha I also painted it to blend in more. Tomorrow I'll fix the leds to the heatsink
Funny you say that... For most of us-mortals- buying the tortoise is the least of our expenses. The real cost comes with getting the correct set up, and/or medical care, which- hopefully, with correct set up- can be kept at the minimum
itiswhatitis
Active Member
- Joined
- Aug 10, 2016
- Messages
- 133
Ugh !!! Funny you say that !!!
I have 212$ worth a coil bulbs I had on multiple enclosures to get rid of sitting in drawer in the kitchen after joining this forum a week ago and had to purchase 410 $ worth of new UVB fixtures !!! Lol
This is why I'm going with leds. I know it's not What's recommended. I'm venturing out and in hope of keeping my tortoise with a cheaper, and just as successful lighting option as mvb or t5. I'm going with 3 uva , 7 7000K, and 1 hyperviolet. This combo was tested for 14 months by Steve's leds on there pet tortoise. But if I have to use traditional lighting at some point. I am going to be able to do so. That is why I added the wire. To sit a lamp on if need be. http://www.stevesleds.com/Ultra-Violet-365nm--UVA-3W-LED_p_299.html
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Is thought about using leds for visible light - do any of those bulbs produce UVB? Or are you just planning on regular outdoor time?
I will be using outdoor time alot. Luckily here in Alabama we have mild winters with some cold spells. But talking with Jeff from Steve's, they have not used any uvb at all. And have not had any health problems. I will also be using a reptile vet at auburn university. They will do blood work and check up for me . They will also check d3 in the tortoise when I get it. And later on in checkups.http://www.vetmed.auburn.edu/animal-owners/au-veterinary-clinic/avian-and-exotic-service/
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Worked on my leds some. I have to replace 2 of them. My goodf up messed them up. Anyway, with the leds just on the heating. You would have a blinding light hitting you through the front glass. So I needed a shield and reflector . This is my solution. My neighbor had some scrap tin. I choose the small piece and used a jig saw with metal blade to cut it.
measured out my holes and bought self tapping screws
gave it paint job and screwed it on.
might do the other side also. Will add some reflective tape inside the shield to reflect the light down.
measured out my holes and bought self tapping screws gave it paint job and screwed it on. might do the other side also. Will add some reflective tape inside the shield to reflect the light down.
itiswhatitis
Active Member
- Joined
- Aug 10, 2016
- Messages
- 133
This is great man. You could probably build house if left in the woods by yourself with hammer and nails lol.
