Bamboo indoor enclosure

[Calaveras]

I do not yet have a tortoise, but I felt it will need somewhere to live in the winter either way as a youngster. I will try to start with a picture


it is made from solid bamboo hardwood flooring. It turned out to be very hard and rigid.

 

[Calaveras]

It It measures 60” x 38” about 5 foot by 3
I glued each plank together with wood glue. I applied a bead of 100% rubber silicone to the corners.

I the put 2 pieces of insulation under the floor. I plan to insulate the sides and line it with plastic sheet. FRP

 

[Calaveras]

If there is something I am forgetting or should address let me know. It is going to reside in a room of the house that has heat on a thermostat, but I will raise the temps with a CHE or radiant panel.
I have room for one or two 48” UVB tube rather than a bunch of 24” I am thinking of going with the T5 HO as they seem to give the most output.

 

[LaLaP]

It's very nice looking! What a good idea to use bamboo flooring. What type of tortoise will you get?

 

[Calaveras]

I have not decided. Perhaps the size and parameters of the housing will force me to limit my options. I have kept and bred water turtles and reptiles for 20 years so I am not intimidated by the moderately difficult or expensive species. It is a complicated long term choice so I am going slow.

 

[Calaveras]

I am almost done.
I made a removable plastic liner out of FRP.

then I taped it in with blue painters tape so it is removable.

the top is made from an oak frame that was around a big mirror.
I replaced the Mirror with acrylic which I felt was safer than glass. The mallet shows scale. One picture shows the two ends folded into the center for easy access.
The grey lines are a strip of weatherstripping which helps to keep it from bumping when we close the lid.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Most tortoise species require very high humidity while young.
Several species require high humidity as adults.
It will be difficult to maintain high humidity in an open topped enclosure.
I see that you're building around that.
I'm curious to see how it works.

 

[Calaveras]

I am attempting to construct a habitat where I can control the heat and humidity. I am prepared to include a fogger if needed. I will mount the lights and heat underneath the top cover

 

[Blackdog1714]

Testing the enclosure prior to your torts arrival is so smart. Easier to dial it in first then get the tort! Looking Good

 

[Calaveras]

I read on here and on other places about planting seeds in trays and rotating them into the tortoise area to get grazed down.

has anybody had success with this?

With the highs in the 50 and lows in the 40s the weeds are growing slowly around here already. Mostly Fliaree, narrow leaf plantain and thistles.

I want to try the Testudo mix sold from tortoise supply. maybe. I have had mixed results growing clover. I just cannot keep it wet enough.

 

[LaLaP]

I read on here and on other places about planting seeds in trays and rotating them into the tortoise area to get grazed down.

has anybody had success with this?

With the highs in the 50 and lows in the 40s the weeds are growing slowly around here already. Mostly Fliaree, narrow leaf plantain and thistles.

I want to try the Testudo mix sold from tortoise supply. maybe. I have had mixed results growing clover. I just cannot keep it wet enough.

I bought the testudo mix from tortoise supply and planted trays. I think it's great... I wish my tortoises were more into it though. My guys aren't the most food motivated but I still think it's worth doing and the clover seems especially hardy. I forget to water it for long periods and it tolerates the neglect. My only problem so far has been an afid infestation that must have come from a plant I moved from outside to inside. They destroyed the clover and I had to start over.

 

[Blackdog1714]

You just need to add a white led plant light I use SANSI Daylight LED Grow Light Bulb, 10W Full Spectrum Sunlight LED Grow Lights for Indoor that is $18.99

 

[Calaveras]

I am experimenting with CHE and MV bulbs I have on hand to see how the box holds heat. I will do the same for moisture soon.
The bulbs are 9” and 7” from the tile on the floor. With substrate that is going to place them closer that I wanted.
The long UVB bulb will be 12-14” which I prefer.

How far from a baby tortoise would you position a heat source?

I learned that when taking a temperature with a laser it gives the reading from the acrylic. I need to open the lid to take a reading.

 

[Blackdog1714]

Use something to approximate the height of torts shell and then check the temperature there and ground level

 

[Calaveras]

I found that the enclosure was not heating evenly with the CHE, so I ordered a 120 W RHP. I also opted for a dimming proportional thermostat [Herpstat 1]. My current model is an on/off style that does not change at night. I really wanted to be able to drop 10 degrees at night. I ordered two 36" Arcadia 12% bulbs and a fixture. I should have everything set up this week. I still need substrate which I will try to find at the local nursery.

 

[Calaveras]

I got some for bark substrate added.
I put in some Oak bark hides and a large 12” water dish that may be too big. The smaller terra-cotta dishes are for food or water maybe. I put in some plants that are safe, but it cannot reach. I hope the thumbnail works for the photo.
I have a Hermann’s coming next week

 

[Calaveras]

Next I installed the Arcadia bulb and heat source(s)
CHE and RHP. I will see if I want both or not. This is with them installed pointed UP. The RHP need to be run continuously overnight.
I still do not have the new thermostat, so I am using my old one for now.

 

[Calaveras]

I can flip the electronics over and set the acrylic top on.
More pictures

 

[Calaveras]

From inside perspective.
I am measuring the height to the CHE with is 6” may not be enough

 

[Yvonne G]

You may not need the CHE with the RHP. I don't in my Vision cages:


The fluorescent light puts off quite a bit of heat in that confined space, and the RHP is on bricks to make a cave.