Completed Tort Table

[TRVEESO]

After much hard work and multiple C-notes it is finally finished, aside from painting it.

I started out with a basic plan and framed it using two by fours and plywood.. 8 feet long, 4 feet wide with 18 inch sides. The substrate is mosty organic topsoil with a bit of play sand mixed in for texture (I may skip the sand when I change it out next time). I also water sealed the inside for greater water and humidity tolerance. I sunk terracotta saucers (spelling?) in the ground, one for water and one for food. I had the ACE hardware guy cut me an appropriately-sized top piece then the correct size cut out of the center so I was able to sink the 160 Watt, 3.5 feet by 1 foot radiant heater in it. I then placed the basking light as you can see. I noticed it was still very hard to hold heat and humidity so I started covering the open side with a bed sheet and that did the trick. I am going to wait to install the thermostat until it gets closer to summer and the heat becomes an issue. For now I need every bit of heat that panel can produce... Thanks for reading.

 

[Yvonne G]

That's a nice, big table. I'd like to see the inside after you've got it all set up (including the tortoise in it).

 

[Robert]

Nice work!

 

[Livingstone]

That the way to do it, but you are going to have a problem with humidity unless you cover it. Try and get a piece of plexiglass instead of a bed sheet (fire hazard). Other than that its a superb table.

 

[Jessicap]

I was having an issue with humidity and temps with my greeks table. I then took 2 x 4s and built two over head beams just higher than the lights. I then laid a sheet of plastic over and stapled it to the 2 x 4s so it could not drop down on the lights. I can tie it up in the front when I am watching him and all other times I close it up and it keeps it warm and humid.

 

[ALDABRAMAN]

Nice!

 

[Livingstone]

I was having an issue with humidity and temps with my greeks table. I then took 2 x 4s and built two over head beams just higher than the lights. I then laid a sheet of plastic over and stapled it to the 2 x 4s so it could not drop down on the lights. I can tie it up in the front when I am watching him and all other times I close it up and it keeps it warm and humid.

Thats a great idea.

 

[TRVEESO]

Yes.. the sheet comes nowhere close to any source of heat.. but I do want a better option and I was already thinking of a large sheet of plexi. Thanks for mentioning it, too.