Looking into a new indoor enclosure

[Dave W]

I currently have two juvenile box turtles. An eastern and a three-toed.

I have them both in a 36"x18" Exo Terra tank. I think they need more room.

I am wondering of something like this:
http://www.calranch.com/ranch/farm/ranching/stock-tanks/behlen-2-x-2-x-6-galvanized-round-end-tank
would be okay.

What should I do. Max budget is around $450. I would like to do it for less if possible.

 

[Millerlite]

That would work, go on Craig's list under your city put in preformed pond, or pond, or pond liner those work great as enclosures, and cheap cheap.

 

[Yvonne G]

It's not too hard to rig something up outside. Cinder blocks, or old scrap lumber.

 

[Dave W]

I live in Las Vegas. Is it a little too dry and hot for them?

 

[Yvonne G]

You can always make it artificially more suitable. I also live in a hot, dry climate. I run sprinklers and misting systems for my forest-dwelling or tropical species. As long as you provide plenty of shade it is doable.

 

[Dave W]

I would love to build an outdoor enclosure but my family has a lot of dogs and very little outdoor space. Thank you for the suggestion.

 

[Dave W]

Should I worry about airflow in a 2 foot high enclosure?

 

[mikeh]

Should I worry about airflow in a 2 foot high enclosure?

No, but it should not be airtight. The metal will build up good amount of heat inside if exposed to sun. Yes outdoor Vegas climate is very dry for eastern/3toed boxie. They need it moist and humid. Warm but not hot.

 

[Dave W]

I would have keep it inside if I went with the metal one.

 

[Dave W]

I am thinking about using one of these: http://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-Reptisun-Terrarium-Hood/dp/B00AQU8G3M/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1398979467&sr=8-10&keywords=terrarium hood

Is this okay to have down the center of the enclosure?

I would also have a basking bulb at one end of the enclosure.

 

[lynnedit]

While a UV tube light with a hood is a great idea,
1) I think that bulb is too intense for box turtles. Better for desert or mediterranean tortoises. You would want something more like this: http://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-ReptiSun-Fluorescent-48-Inch/dp/B0002HBKOG/ref=sr_1_2?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1399240170&sr=1-2&keywords=Zoo med 5.0 bulb 48"
You can get a hood separately, 48" by zoo med.
And it would be great in the center with a CHE or black basking bulb on one side. You don't want it excessively bright for Box turtles, I believe.
2)Even though Las Vegas is dry, I would focus on an outdoor enclosure. With lots of plantings and a little drip system with misters and a secure hide for them to hibernate in, you could have them outside year round.
Outside, your cost would not go into lighting, but into the mister system/timer and plants, and I think that would be better for them and less costly to you.
Just my two cents!

 

[mikeh]

I use 48" T5 5% with my boxie at 12-15" height however the light is diffused with few plants. T5 10% is strong and needs to be higher, 15-18".

T8 10% at 12" height is a good option as well if no plants are used, but you want plants to aid with moisture/humidity. I wouldn't even bother with T8 5%. It would need to hang at below 10" to be any beneficial.

 

[mikeh]

He doesn't mind the bright light but does like to be next to plants, although he does bask under basking light in the open at times.

 

[mikeh]

Water dish should be ideally under a low hanging plant for the turtle to feel secure.

 

[mikeh]

If you are limited on outdoor space but still want to go the route here is a closed outdoor 6x3 mobile pen, again a for box turtle

 

[mikeh]

..

 

[Dave W]

Is there a list of plants that are okay?

Thank you for helping me.

 

[mikeh]

Can't help you with list of plants, my boxie doesn't eat ANY plants. Plants need to be sturdy or they will get tramped and destroyed as box turtles are excellent climbers and will climb plants, even vertical walls with any traction are no problem and they will figure it out in time. Pen needs to be very escape proof.

 

[Dave W]

I am leaning towards the enclosure in my first post. The turtles would be about 20" away from the light. Would I need to use this light?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001F95Z1Y/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

or should I use the one lynnedit linked?

 

[mikeh]

The exo Terra habitat or the 6x2x2 metal feed container?