Greenhouse Enclosure for Aldabra Tortoise

[Pan Li]

This enclosure is for my 6-year-old Aldabra tortoise. It is a 12ft by 8ft greenhouse. I built this enclosure in summer of 2015. And it helped my tortoise live through the very cold winter in Utah. The average temp in the winter is 25F. I am using an electric heating fan for the main heating in the winter.

 

[Grandpa Turtle 144]

Hello

 

[Pearly]

Omg!!! I want that green house!!!!! Looks great! Your tort is beautiful!

 

[Cheryl Hills]

This enclosure is for my 6-year-old Aldabra tortoise. It is a 12ft by 8ft greenhouse. I built this enclosure in summer of 2015. And it helped my tortoise live through the very cold winter in Utah. The average temp in the winter is 25F. I am using an electric heating fan for the main heating in the winter.

Now that is a good idea! I like using the greenhouse.

 

[Rue]

Love the greenhouse. I would absolutely love one for myself and my tortoise too!

I do have a question though. When I see the size of the full grown animals...and the damage they can do, how are you planning to protect your greenhouse from tortoise damage?

 

[Jodie]

It looks great. Is it glass? I was unable to keep my sulcatas greenhouse warm through winter. Mine is plastic panels though. What temp were you able to maintain?
Thanks for sharing, and welcome to the forum.

 

[Lyn W]

Looks great - but doesn't he try to barge his way out through the bottom panels? My leopard would need sight barriers.
I love the different surfaces you have provided for him.

 

[Speedy-1]

That is a nice winter set up !

 

[Cheryl Hills]

Ok, how much does a greenhouse like this cost? What are the temps inside compared to outside, specially in winter. I would love to build one for my Russians.

 

[wellington]

I want to know all the answers to the questions asked too. I think a insulated and heated shed with a green house attached for sunny days would probably be cheaper to heat

 

[Jodie]

I want to know all the answers to the questions asked too. I think a insulated and heated shed with a green house attached for sunny days would probably be cheaper to heat

That is what I did, but the greenhouse was useless most of the winter. And then it gets too hot in summer. I am wondering though how much of a difference glass might make.

 

[wellington]

That is what I did, but the greenhouse was useless most of the winter. And then it gets too hot in summer. I am wondering though how much of a difference glass might make.

Greenhouse won't really work in the winter without full sun. Then at night or on gloomy days they either need added heat or the tort don't get let out into the greenhouse on those days or at night.
It will be interesting to know how much better glass might do.

 

[Pan Li]

Love the greenhouse. I would absolutely love one for myself and my tortoise too!

I do have a question though. When I see the size of the full grown animals...and the damage they can do, how are you planning to protect your greenhouse from tortoise damage?

I hope by that time, I can build something stronger or move to a warmer place

 

[Pan Li]

It looks great. Is it glass? I was unable to keep my sulcatas greenhouse warm through winter. Mine is plastic panels though. What temp were you able to maintain?
Thanks for sharing, and welcome to the forum.

Mine is polycarbonate. And the temp inside is 70

 

[Pan Li]

Looks great - but doesn't he try to barge his way out through the bottom panels? My leopard would need sight barriers.
I love the different surfaces you have provided for him.

Luckily mine does not, she knows where the door is

 

[Pan Li]

Ok, how much does a greenhouse like this cost? What are the temps inside compared to outside, specially in winter. I would love to build one for my Russians.

Its 1500 and temp inside is 70

 

[Anyfoot]

This enclosure is for my 6-year-old Aldabra tortoise. It is a 12ft by 8ft greenhouse. I built this enclosure in summer of 2015. And it helped my tortoise live through the very cold winter in Utah. The average temp in the winter is 25F. I am using an electric heating fan for the main heating in the winter.

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Looks good, you could always put white PVC boards up to the height of the first pane to act as a site barrier, PVC won't rot. If you want to reduce heat loss, put a layer of industrial grade bubble wrap on all windows. Both pvc and bubble wrap would fit snug between the aluminium frame work. More plants will reduce air mass too. Less volume of air to heat up, also plants will give shaded areas. Hanging baskets won't take up valuable floor space.

 

[Kelley Smith]

I have 12'x10' greenhouse I built for the short winters here in Texas. I only have two 2.5 year olds who use it. It has a door so they can choose to go outside when they want. Its heated on cold days. I use 2 water misters and a vent fan to keep it cool in summer. They seem to love it. Some days they won't even leave the greenhouse. So far they haven't tried to push through any panels. They are not perfectly see through, which may help. This is their temporary enclosure until we move to a new property.

 

[khanz]

I have 12'x10' greenhouse I built for the short winters here in Texas. I only have two 2.5 year olds who use it. It has a door so they can choose to go outside when they want. Its heated on cold days. I use 2 water misters and a vent fan to keep it cool in summer. They seem to love it. Some days they won't even leave the greenhouse. So far they haven't tried to push through any panels. They are not perfectly see through, which may help. This is their temporary enclosure until we move to a new property.
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Great!! Good job!!