Building My First Tortoise Table

[2Reds1Sulcata]

Started building a big home for my two little sulcatas. What a task it is...but I'm excited to have them into their new home by the end of the weekend.

I've caught a few comments that hydration/humidity is key to prevent pyramiding....any other comments would be helpful. I'll post pictures once it's all done.

 

[2Reds1Sulcata]

Here is part of my table. Still need more soil/grass mix.

 

[DixieParadise]

Looks good, you must have babies?

 

[2Reds1Sulcata]

Yes I do. I was told they are 6 months old. I still need to fix a few things, but I had to get them out of their temporary habitat and something better for them.

 

[tyguy35]

I really like that. What kind of wood did you use?

 

[2Reds1Sulcata]

I really like that. What kind of wood did you use?

I'm not really sure. My husband bought the 1 x 16 boards for me. That is what I used for the enclosure and second level. The bottom is OSB plywood and I would highly NOT recommend using it. The problem for me is I'm on budget. But next time I'd go with the more expensive wood.

 

[Utah Lynn]

A very nice looking enclosure.

 

[lynnedit]

Just about any wood will work if you use a tough liner on the bottom and up the sides, stapled, or waterproof paint and siliconed cracks, etc.
Nice looking!

 

[2Reds1Sulcata]

A very nice looking enclosure.

Thank you!

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Just about any wood will work if you use a tough liner on the bottom and up the sides, stapled, or waterproof paint and siliconed cracks, etc.
Nice looking!

Thanks! Yes, that is what I still need to do, but I despirately wanted them out of the aquarium. The liner and silicone are what I'm purchasing this payday.

 

[SulcataSquirt]

my advice, DO NOT TRUST the clamps on your lights. find a different way to mount the lights safely. too many torts have been burned and too many house have caught fire from that one little faulty clamp.

 

[2Reds1Sulcata]

my advice, DO NOT TRUST the clamps on your lights. find a different way to mount the lights safely. too many torts have been burned and too many house have caught fire from that one little faulty clamp.

Thank you for that tip! I have it set up where it hangs on a hook above the enclosure....but even that could be faulty. I'll definitely put that on my "fix" list too! Thank you!

 

[SulcataSquirt]

its go 50/50 on which fails the clamp or the little cheap wing nut that you cant seem to tighten enough. I would built a wooden arm over the enclosure and secure the lights with some cheap small chain from the hardware store.

 

[2Reds1Sulcata]

its go 50/50 on which fails the clamp or the little cheap wing nut that you cant seem to tighten enough. I would built a wooden arm over the enclosure and secure the lights with some cheap small chain from the hardware store.

I definitely have to build at least half a roof to increase the humidity, but that is something that I will change in the plans. Thanks!

 

[slowpoke]

if this helps this is what i did , my table setup is almost like yours but with a top on it , im still adding to it lol to new hobbies (and life style) ill try to get a pic of the lighting setup for you too , im in the middle of making a down stairs for them with just a uvb tube , stays 76 to 80F in that spot , i cant remember what the brand name of the floor sealant was but it was kid and pet safe cost a little bit but works great

 

[2Reds1Sulcata]

if this helps this is what i did , my table setup is almost like yours but with a top on it , im still adding to it lol to new hobbies (and life style) ill try to get a pic of the lighting setup for you too , im in the middle of making a down stairs for them with just a uvb tube , stays 76 to 80F in that spot , i cant remember what the brand name of the floor sealant was but it was kid and pet safe cost a little bit but works great

That looks really good!! I plan on making a down stairs once they get bigger. You've given me some ideas. I plan on putting a cover, but due to when my hubby gets paid, I have to wait to get more material for it. If you remember the name of the sealant, please let me know. That is another thing I need to do, but want to make sure I get something safe for them.

 

[blastoise91]

I really really like how this table is set and the worksmanship is flawless. i wish i saw this earlier to base my blueprints off of

 

[2Reds1Sulcata]

I really really like how this table is set and the worksmanship is flawless. i wish i saw this earlier to base my blueprints off of

Thank you! I'm hoping to get my finishing touches done with in the next two weekends. My little guys seem to like it, but it doesn't stay very humid. Right now I have plastic over half of it and that seems to be helping. Can't wait to get a cover made for it!

 

[slowpoke]

if this helps this is what i did , my table setup is almost like yours but with a top on it , im still adding to it lol to new hobbies (and life style) ill try to get a pic of the lighting setup for you too , im in the middle of making a down stairs for them with just a uvb tube , stays 76 to 80F in that spot , i cant remember what the brand name of the floor sealant was but it was kid and pet safe cost a little bit but works great

That looks really good!! I plan on making a down stairs once they get bigger. You've given me some ideas. I plan on putting a cover, but due to when my hubby gets paid, I have to wait to get more material for it. If you remember the name of the sealant, please let me know. That is another thing I need to do, but want to make sure I get something safe for them.

I used Mythic ... They make all kinds of paints and sealants that are safe for pets and kids alike ...

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i got some pics of the lighting , i have russian torts so i didnt really worry to much on the humidity part i just spray it down in the mornings and evenings when i get home from work seems to keep it about 40 to 50% , depends if i have the door close to the room... i went a bit cheeper on the lighting instead of a mvb i went with a tubed fluorescent lamp by zoomed 5.0 which gives it a 25 microwatts of uvb at the hight its at and got the zoomed day/heat 100w lights , i used a porcelain fixture (like the kind in barns and sheds) wired it up with some old extension cords i had around , if you look also i gaped the porcelain fixture so the wood top would not get hot ...all set on some christmas light timers i had ...

 

[2Reds1Sulcata]

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i got some pics of the lighting , i have russian torts so i didnt really worry to much on the humidity part i just spray it down in the mornings and evenings when i get home from work seems to keep it about 40 to 50% , depends if i have the door close to the room... i went a bit cheeper on the lighting instead of a mvb i went with a tubed fluorescent lamp by zoomed 5.0 which gives it a 25 microwatts of uvb at the hight its at and got the zoomed day/heat 100w lights , i used a porcelain fixture (like the kind in barns and sheds) wired it up with some old extension cords i had around , if you look also i gaped the porcelain fixture so the wood top would not get hot ...all set on some christmas light timers i had ...
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Thanks for the pics! This gives me some ideas. My hubby is an electrician so I know I can get him to wire everything for me. I just need to figure how to adjust it so that they can get to the second level and yet not have the lamp too close.

 

[slowpoke]

glad to help ...