Help Building Enclosure

[towelie200]

Hey everyone! I need some advice here, i have an old bookshelf I'm not using and decided to make it for my tort. the only problem is the back panel is very weak and thin, I'm afraid the substrate would just start leaking through. any ideas?

 

[wellington]

Reinforce it and then line the inside of the enclosure with plastic. That's what most do. That way the humidity won't just rot the wood.

 

[towelie200]

what would you suggest lining the back with?

 

[RosieRedfoot]

Can you nail the removed shelves onto the back for support?

 

[LuckysGirl007]

You could line the inside with shower curtain liners.

 

[DixieParadise]

Wow great idea Rosie. I was gonna opt to suggest another reinforcement, but yours makes better use and sense of the shelves

 

[lynnedit]

Most of those bookshelves do need new backing, they are just too weak.
I agree, good idea about trying the shelves first, at least for part of it. If there are not enough, you can get some extra low grade pine shelving or something similar to supplement.
Others get a piece of wood cut to size by a place like Lowe's or Home Depot. It can be 1/4" interior plywood, or even pressed board. It just needs to be stronger than the cardboard-like backing that comes with the bookshelf. You are not worrying about it being water proof, as the liner will take care of that.

Once you stabilize it, then use a heavy duty shower curtain, tarp or pond liner inside, folded up the corners and stapled.