Indoor enclosure

[tortmomma417]

What kind of "top" does everyone have on their enclosure to keep in humidity? I have a 40gal tank with the clip on lamps and wanted to do some sort of tent/canopy top but not sure how. Just want to see what everyone else has! Im open to changing my current set up. Trust me - I have been researching this for a while now and still can't decide whats best!! Thank you in advance!

 

[JoesMum]

I have seen tinfoil, bacofoil turkey trays, perspex (plexiglass) all used successfully. They're cut or shaped to fit round the lights. And of course an aquarium hood does the job too.

Some people use mini greenhouse tents like this over a table.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

This.
Heavy foil.
In my case a "cooking sheet" made of aluminum or steel.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Or this.
Plexiglass or glass.
Plexiglass is easy to drill holes in to mount the UVB florescent lamp to the inside of the lid.
Silicone glue two hinges to the back and you have a flip open, humidity trapping chamber.
Downside is the general size.
I use this for babies up to about 10 months.

 

[lisa127]

I use the heavy foil, just as ZEROPILOT shows.

 

[wellington]

But don't use the clamps that come with the fixtures. They have been known to fail and start fires or burn the tortoise. Make or buy a stand to hang them from, hang from the ceiling or bracket from the wall or place on the lid as shown in some of the pics

 

[Stormy Bluu]

I also use the heavy foil shown above. It is easy, inexpensive, and it does the trick.

 

[tortmomma417]

Thank you everyone for the tips! I have a screen over the top and wet towels for now to hold him over until payday when I can re-do his enclosure completely. I have two plants inside the enclosure - an aloe vera and a strawberry plant. Humidity is steady at 70%. I had a humidifier on the side of the tank that was helping me with humidity but it broke last night and they don't have it in store. Hopefully wednesday I can build a tent top.

 

[tortmomma417]

But don't use the clamps that come with the fixtures. They have been known to fail and start fires or burn the tortoise. Make or buy a stand to hang them from, hang from the ceiling or bracket from the wall or place on the lid as shown in some of the pics

Thanks! Took them down as soon as I could. They are resting on the screen top until I can purchase the lamp stands wednesday

 

[JoesMum]

Thanks! Took them down as soon as I could. They are resting on the screen top until I can purchase the lamp stands wednesday

And then remove the screen as that impedes the heat and UVB from the lamps.

 

[tortmomma417]

And then remove the screen as that impedes the heat and UVB from the lamps.

Of course, what a bummer. Just bought it today and of course paid the outrageous petco price for convenience but will do!!