Ideas?

[lbailey4487]

I’ve been digging around in the enclosures posts but haven’t found anything to answer my question. Probably because it’s fairly specific. Has anyone any ideas for a 4 x 8 indoor enclosure that could be disassembled for transport occasionally with a minimum of work (I know I’m asking a lot…). I had an idea of a bed frame type set up with a plywood bottom and slots added to the corner posts to slide 2, 1 x 12 x 8 boards to make sides similar to a garden planting table. I’d like to get it up off the ground at least 18 inches, too. Then I’d line it with pond liner before adding substrate. Unfortunately even CA King bed rails are not long enough. Any other ideas? My room is set on 72 during the day, 68 at night. Will this be ok for a Russian tort?

 

[wellington]

You will still need added heat. A basking light from an incandescent FLOOD bulb that reaches 95-100.
Day temps a range of 75-80 and night temps can be in the 60's. Tube flourescent for uvb. However, if it's a hatching it needs a closed chamber enclosure with above temps and 80% humidity.

 

[lbailey4487]

You will still need added heat. A basking light from an incandescent FLOOD bulb that reaches 95-100.
Day temps a range of 75-80 and night temps can be in the 60's. Tube flourescent for uvb. However, if it's a hatching it needs a closed chamber enclosure with above temps and 80% humidity.

Yes, I have basking and UVB lights. Daytime temps in the temporary small enclosure run on average 75 in the cooler area, was 95-97 in his basking area. Just checking that my room temperature set on 68 will be ok once the lights go off at night. Trying to decide if I should hook up the CH. I am hopefully building his new enclosure this weekend! How do I heat this bigger area? Should I set up an additional basking area on the other end? How big of a UVB light is best? Also, what is important is square footage, not a 4 x 8 per se, correct? So something with more square footage but different dimensions would be ok? I might have a better plan using a queen or king bed frame as a base…my dad is a welder….

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Yes, I have basking and UVB lights. Daytime temps in the temporary small enclosure run on average 75 in the cooler area, was 95-97 in his basking area. Just checking that my room temperature set on 68 will be ok once the lights go off at night. Trying to decide if I should hook up the CH. I am hopefully building his new enclosure this weekend! How do I heat this bigger area? Should I set up an additional basking area on the other end? How big of a UVB light is best? Also, what is important is square footage, not a 4 x 8 per se, correct? So something with more square footage but different dimensions would be ok? I might have a better plan using a queen or king bed frame as a base…my dad is a welder….

A room temp of 68 is good for night, but as this is a bigger area, the basking floodlight might not heat it quite enough during the day, so might be worth installing a CHE or two, I wouldn’t worry about adding another basking spot, one is enough next to the tube uv, the Arcadia 24w would do you imo(the smallest option)
More square footage is always better! So yeah if you want to go with different dimensions that’s fine so long as he has enough square feet to roam

 

[wellington]

A room temp of 68 is good for night, but as this is a bigger area, the basking floodlight might not heat it quite enough during the day, so might be worth installing a CHE or two, I wouldn’t worry about adding another basking spot, one is enough next to the tube uv, the Arcadia 24w would do you imo(the smallest option)
More square footage is always better! So yeah if you want to go with different dimensions that’s fine so long as he has enough square feet to roam

Yes, what it says above.

 

[lbailey4487]

A room temp of 68 is good for night, but as this is a bigger area, the basking floodlight might not heat it quite enough during the day, so might be worth installing a CHE or two, I wouldn’t worry about adding another basking spot, one is enough next to the tube uv, the Arcadia 24w would do you imo(the smallest option)
More square footage is always better! So yeah if you want to go with different dimensions that’s fine so long as he has enough square feet to roam

Yes! I’ve been watching his basking temperature and it takes it an hour—1 1/2 to get to the mid 90s. He’s not exactly hiding now but sleeping a lot (with his little head stretched out and a sweet snoozing face). He’s not eating much. Much less than expected. Looks like he’s taken a few nibbles per evening when I’ve put fresh food in before I leave. Taking Tom’s advice that you can’t overdo soaks and to also give him a daily look over, I’ve decided to give him a daily soak at lunch. He pooped a good amount and peed again in his soak today, so he’s got to be taking something in. I’m going to hook up his heater for this evening and see if it helps any with both activity level and appetite. I’d started to wonder if the general temperature change between the rescue in NC and here might have been making him want to brumate? More likely I’m just a Nervous Nellie. Sigh. I’m with the person who posted that they are stressed about the learning curve, lol. Sorta lol. I am ready to build his new habitat this weekend! I have second guessed my plan, though. Still making some final decisions! Thanks for helping through my nervousness!

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Yes! I’ve been watching his basking temperature and it takes it an hour—1 1/2 to get to the mid 90s. He’s not exactly hiding now but sleeping a lot (with his little head stretched out and a sweet snoozing face). He’s not eating much. Much less than expected. Looks like he’s taken a few nibbles per evening when I’ve put fresh food in before I leave. Taking Tom’s advice that you can’t overdo soaks and to also give him a daily look over, I’ve decided to give him a daily soak at lunch. He pooped a good amount and peed again in his soak today, so he’s got to be taking something in. I’m going to hook up his heater for this evening and see if it helps any with both activity level and appetite. I’d started to wonder if the general temperature change between the rescue in NC and here might have been making him want to brumate? More likely I’m just a Nervous Nellie. Sigh. I’m with the person who posted that they are stressed about the learning curve, lol. Sorta lol. I am ready to build his new habitat this weekend! I have second guessed my plan, though. Still making some final decisions! Thanks for helping through my nervousness!

I’d say it’s more likely down to his transitional period stressing him a bit(completely normal) and for what it’s worth it sounds like he’s taking it in his stride more than most, some would legit just burrow and hardly touch anything! It could also be him sensing seasonal change, so yeah give the heating a go.
Always happy to reassure you in any way I can, honestly sounds like he’s doing fine and just adjusting still

 

[Renee_H]

This is a garden bed within my torts enclosure. You could buy these materials at homedepot. Stack two high to get it off the ground to the height you want add a solid sheet of plywood and then build another on top of the plywood. No tools. Homedepot will cut the boards for you and simple enough to deconstruct to move.