Looking for finishing advice 🐢

[eliseandboris]

I’ve started caring for a Russian tortoise who lives at my work in a tank. Please know I’m aware a 2 x 3 table isn’t enough room, but this is the space available for now. Bigger things in the future. This will double his current space he’s been living in for years so I’m happy to improve things as best as I can.

My question really comes down to sealing and putting this dog crate bottom inside. Is it going to just get moisture under it and make a layer of yuck between it and the wood?

We bought a partially finished poplar toy chest and cut it up to make this. I think I’ll sand this and stain it. I’ve heard about people putting shower curtains in, but hoping for a more fixed solution. Any advice or input is greatly appreciated. Thank you!

 

[eliseandboris]

This is the stain and seal

 

[Warren]

When my Sulcata was smaller, he used to live in this Tortoise table. I lined the inside with self adhesive vinyl floor tile, I use cypress mulch and would spray it to help keep the humidity up. He now live in a much bigger box, I still lines his larger box also.

 

[eliseandboris]

There is a small gap between the dog crate bottom and the wood, but it’s almost perfect. I’d seal the bottom and also need to do some caulking in a few spots. Just not sure if the plastic piece will actually make things worse 🤷‍♀️

When my Sulcata was smaller, he used to live in this Tortoise table. I lined the inside with self adhesive vinyl floor tile, I use cypress mulch and would spray it to help keep the humidity up. He now live in a much bigger box, I still lines his larger box also.

I was thinking about this because I’ve read through posts and it seems so easy! I’d love to find fun tile too. There are so many options. I think one way or another I’m definitely sealing so don’t ruin the nice wood. Do you think the moisture will creep over that little edge and create mold in between stain and plastic? I’m just using reptibark, but who knows how little moisture it could take to cause an issue.

 

[Warren]

There is a small gap between the dog crate bottom and the wood, but it’s almost perfect. I’d seal the bottom and also need to do some caulking in a few spots. Just not sure if the plastic piece will actually make things worse 🤷‍♀️
View attachment 367210

I was thinking about this because I’ve read through posts and it seems so easy! I’d love to find fun tile too. There are so many options. I think one way or another I’m definitely sealing so don’t ruin the nice wood. Do you think the moisture will creep over that little edge and create mold in between stain and plastic? I’m just using reptibark, but who knows how little moisture it could take to cause an issue.

Been using cypress mulch with no problems with mold.

 

[eliseandboris]

Goo to know! I’m probably overthinking everything, but I’m always nervous about these things. Thanks for the advice! I love the round windows in your table!