Advice on my table

[Keegan666]

Started work on my first tortoise table a couple days ago, and could use a few tips here and there.

Was given basically a throphy case from my buddy at the University, was thinking perfect.

Dimensions: 6.7'L,3'W,1'H, with a nice lip Incase climbing happens

First question was, is my shadowed area too big?, It's 2'x3'
and basically is just a big hatch door when im finished.

Second question is lights, I understand that side lights are too be avoided but in total I need 3 correct? UVA,UVB, bask?

I'll leave some pictures and some questions later too, after I do a bit more sanding.

 

[Tom]

What species and size tortoise is it for?

 

[Keegan666]

What species and size tortoise is it for?

It's gonna be home to a redfoot or two, if not around that size.

 

[Tom]

In that case I have some bad news…

• Tortoises shouldn't be kept in pairs.
• There is no way to maintain proper conditions for a red foot in an open topped enclosure, unless the entire room is warm and very humid 24/7. Like a tropical fish room or a heated reptile room. You need a large closed chamber type enclosure.
• That enclosure size will be okay for a smaller RF for a year or two, but too small for an adult.
• Same issue on the height. Once you add 4" of substrate, it will only be 8" to reach the top. Fine for a small juvenile, but eventually it will be too short.

Just trying to help you avoid problems before they happen.

 

[Keegan666]

All the advice is more than welcome, and yeah I see your points there.

So, I'm gonna have to up the walls regardless that's okay expected that actually.

And as for the humidity, i guess I'd need to have a fogger, pexiglass walls it, or plastic tarp and pbc frame.

Or just stick with a more arid species, gotcha.

 

[Tom]

Adults of more arid species will do fine in an open table, but if you are planning on raising a baby, a closed chamber is the way to go for any species. Makes maintaining heat and whatever humidity you want easy. Open tables are very difficult to maintain correctly in a normal house.

 

[Keegan666]

Okay makes sense, I'll start planning on walls a bit more and try to box it in.

 

[Tom]

Here is a thread with some general tortoise tips that might be of some use:
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

 

[Alex Z]

If you have not made a purchase yet, best bet is a russian tortoise...either male or female can live in their...if you can expand it even better to give more room and add a 2nd level..

The 1st 2 are great for a rt...

The 3rd pic is ideal for a redfoot..but of course you can make it much bigger if you have the accomodations..

 

[Keegan666]

Thank you for the visuals Alex I'm working on the box now actually, seeing that last pic gave me an idea, so I'll frame it up a bit after I do the walls a bit higher.

I like it, thank you for the help guys.

 

[Alex Z]

Looking forward to the update...