Mobile 4x8x3 ,2-story enclosure

lazybfarm

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Here is the start of my 4x8x3 enclosure.
The pics are of the base, which is 4x8 and framed with 2x8s. There is a 2x6 plate at the bottom upon which there are 6 heavy duty locking castor wheels
The 4x8x 3 enclosures I am going to build from 1/2 x 4x8 pvc sheet . There will be 2 enclosures 1 stacked on top of the other. The base is a little over 1’ tall, so the bottom of the upper enclosure will be 4’ off the ground, top around 7’ .
Each will have a 120w radiant heat panel , 1–18” t5 uvb, 1-34” t5 uvb and 4 -incandescent flood bulbs, I have a thermostat controller that will do 2 enclosures, lights on timer, orchid bark and cypress mulch for substrate.
These will be for my Aldabra baby’s, @900g each now. I should at least get 1 winter out of these enclosures?
 

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Pastel Tortie

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Interesting... I'm looking forward to seeing how it develops.

Having it raised and on wheels would almost certainly help mitigate ants.
 

wellington

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I don't know how fast they grow and of course they all grow at their own pace. However, you may be able to get some idea from Greg, Aldabraman as far as if it will last you a year.
Btw, are you Decatur Illinois?
 

Tom

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Here is the start of my 4x8x3 enclosure.
The pics are of the base, which is 4x8 and framed with 2x8s. There is a 2x6 plate at the bottom upon which there are 6 heavy duty locking castor wheels
The 4x8x 3 enclosures I am going to build from 1/2 x 4x8 pvc sheet . There will be 2 enclosures 1 stacked on top of the other. The base is a little over 1’ tall, so the bottom of the upper enclosure will be 4’ off the ground, top around 7’ .
Each will have a 120w radiant heat panel , 1–18” t5 uvb, 1-34” t5 uvb and 4 -incandescent flood bulbs, I have a thermostat controller that will do 2 enclosures, lights on timer, orchid bark and cypress mulch for substrate.
These will be for my Aldabra baby’s, @900g each now. I should at least get 1 winter out of these enclosures?
Super cool man. I don't think you need more than one UV bulb in each enclosure, and also one basking bulb. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at how easy it is to maintain warmth in these closed chambers, and you'll also see how easy it is to over heat them with too much stuff running in them.
 

lazybfarm

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Got it Tom, maybe I will put the 34”t5 on 1 side and 2 ceramic base fixtures on the other , I can use flood in 1 and nothing or Led / flood in the other as needed for temp.
I have 2 3x4 sealed enclosures ,they stay @ 87 with 1 -65w flood
 

lazybfarm

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I am putting this in a new room I've built at my shop, The room is 18' x 14' x 10'high. I originally planned to build it inside the room and stationary, but I realized that I needed a way to be able to move the whole thing around, hence the base on wheels.
 

lazybfarm

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Here is my plan for the enclosures
They will have a viewing window at each end and 2-24”x18” doors on each side. I will have access all around and it is on wheels. Doors could have a glass installed, but I believe I will be able to see well enough through each end. I will be able to easily reach any part of this large enclosure .
 

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lazybfarm

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Box of stuff
 

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lazybfarm

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You can can see the one box from Chewy, but there are 5 more boxes like that, all orchid bark and cypress mulch 16 bags in all !
 

lazybfarm

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Started assembling the 1st floor today, it is going to be huge
 

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lazybfarm

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More work today, bottom enclosure is 95% done, my door design is working good ,see pics. The one pic is looking through the window lights are on ?
 

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lazybfarm

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Building is complete, still need to tidy up the wiring on top, I made a chase going up the side to hide all the wires, timer and thermostats are on top. I’ve got the substrate in the bottom enclosure, it has 4 big bags of coco coir, 4 big bags of cypress mulch and 5 big bags of orchid bark, makes it about 6” deep
 

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lazybfarm

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Some pics of the wiring inside and overall setup
 

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