So we decided to get a tortoise... This began May 8 with a ton of research leading me to Tortoise Forum as the group that really had their stuff together, kind and friendly advice (always kind and patient one-on-one) with more than just anecdotal evidence on several major issues of tortoise ownership. At first we looked at Sulcatas and learned everything we could, quickly we realized this wasn't the tortoise for us, even though they appear to be awesome! Because we wouldn't just rush into anything and had some incredible guidance from Tom we found Leopards, who as it happens in PP form hold many of the same personality traits without the digging.
So... in wanting to provide a great hatchling habitat for our new forever (and likely beyond) pet I broke out the credit card and proceeded to melt it (I know there are less expensive items/methods, I didn't get/use them partly because we have plans to reuse these items later and this is a small scale test of some ideas).
This was the first time in forever that I knew what I wanted for fathers day, a laser guided digital infrared thermometer. In hindsight the laser guide was a bit over kill but it is fun to say. Amazon began delivering parts on an almost daily basis and the build began. Keep in mind, especially when commenting, this build is for a hatchling, I know it won't fit past a year to a year and a half. We are having an area of the basement built out with a permanent habitat as well as an outdoor habitat for next year.
Please let me know what you think, I still have the stainless steel shrouds and reflectors to add for the lights and CHE's but have been eager to share.
The Zoo Med Tortoise House arrives, partial assembly, and begin masking of the sections for rubberized liner. (NOTE: I let this air out for almost a month as the cheap Fir Pine out gasses considerably)
You have to mask everything you don't want this stuff on, it goes everywhere no matter how careful you are. Planning ahead is important, once sprayed it is easer to get a new tortoise house than trying to scrape that stuff off...
Let the spraying commence
Then reverse the masking and seal the exposed wood to prevent moisture damage. (NOTE: Again, it is very, very important to allow the project to out gas from the sealants, they can cause neurological damage don't rush this)
Now in my excitement to get started, I drew out the plan and laid everything out and promptly forgot to cut PRIOR to sealing requiring me to go back and reseal certain areas after cutting.
I am using a mechanical and digital set up. Both setups Salt tested for accuracy. The mechanical is simply a backup however. Next up was wiring the light controllers, foggers, thermostats, hygrometers, mist system and for the UVB's (These are the reflectors I mentioned still need to be built)
I specifically chose the RS400 instead of the mistking setup because I wanted the larger droplets of spray. The mistking system produced vapor much like the foggers and the idea for the spray was as a droplet effect on the tortoise as well as for the living plants.
You can see in this view I have added a 1/16th inch lexan top to hold the humidity in. The areas around the domes will have the stainless steel shrouds within the week. In the domes are a 50 - 75 watt basking light (depending on seasonal conditions) and two CHEs controlled by thermostats to keep the enclosure at 85 degrees. The basking light and 10.0 Reptisun UVBs are controlled by the exo terra light controller (nice and water resistant) and timers.
Next up, placing the window. I thought about doing the entire side in plexi but decided on a small window to allow the tort some privacy as well as not allowing it to see out (debatable topic).
Trying out placement first...
Time to start working on the inside.
Fogger Placement
Thinking about interior division, I knew I wanted a grass side and an eco earth side with a stone path, sunken hide with basking area and a sunken water area.
I used stone tile from the bath section because of the backing. It keeps it all together so the tortoise can't pick it up and still allows growth between the stones.
Flush mounting the controls, used the existing interior bulkheads to mount black plexi to cover and protect the electronics from mist, fog and general humidity. (all cables are run under the enclosure and any inside are covered by black plexi or tubing)
Used organic soil and eco earth to fill the enclosure. Bent grass seed (used on putting greens for it's ability to carpet) as well as several succulents and ferns (still have to triple check their safety) were added for hides as well grazing, all plants can be removed and replaced in a matter of minutes. I was truly amazed at just how quickly the grass grew in this environment (3 days growth shown).
I will be adding the shrouds and reflectors soon and the tanish areas you see in the pictures is more grass seed I just added around the pool and second hide to help keep the areas cleaner (the pool has steps in and will only be shallow filled with a pond stone bottom).
In the main stone hide the temperature stays at 85 degrees 95% humidity, on top under the basking light it stays at 105 degrees 80% humidity and the rest of the enclosure I can vary the temp and humidity and maintain those levels from 85 degrees and 90% humidity.
I will update this thread over the next week to show the finished product. Next up the soaking area and the outdoor enclosure. I look forward to any constructive input.
So... in wanting to provide a great hatchling habitat for our new forever (and likely beyond) pet I broke out the credit card and proceeded to melt it (I know there are less expensive items/methods, I didn't get/use them partly because we have plans to reuse these items later and this is a small scale test of some ideas).
This was the first time in forever that I knew what I wanted for fathers day, a laser guided digital infrared thermometer. In hindsight the laser guide was a bit over kill but it is fun to say. Amazon began delivering parts on an almost daily basis and the build began. Keep in mind, especially when commenting, this build is for a hatchling, I know it won't fit past a year to a year and a half. We are having an area of the basement built out with a permanent habitat as well as an outdoor habitat for next year.
Please let me know what you think, I still have the stainless steel shrouds and reflectors to add for the lights and CHE's but have been eager to share.
The Zoo Med Tortoise House arrives, partial assembly, and begin masking of the sections for rubberized liner. (NOTE: I let this air out for almost a month as the cheap Fir Pine out gasses considerably)
You have to mask everything you don't want this stuff on, it goes everywhere no matter how careful you are. Planning ahead is important, once sprayed it is easer to get a new tortoise house than trying to scrape that stuff off...
Let the spraying commence
Then reverse the masking and seal the exposed wood to prevent moisture damage. (NOTE: Again, it is very, very important to allow the project to out gas from the sealants, they can cause neurological damage don't rush this)
Now in my excitement to get started, I drew out the plan and laid everything out and promptly forgot to cut PRIOR to sealing requiring me to go back and reseal certain areas after cutting.
I am using a mechanical and digital set up. Both setups Salt tested for accuracy. The mechanical is simply a backup however. Next up was wiring the light controllers, foggers, thermostats, hygrometers, mist system and for the UVB's (These are the reflectors I mentioned still need to be built)
I specifically chose the RS400 instead of the mistking setup because I wanted the larger droplets of spray. The mistking system produced vapor much like the foggers and the idea for the spray was as a droplet effect on the tortoise as well as for the living plants.
You can see in this view I have added a 1/16th inch lexan top to hold the humidity in. The areas around the domes will have the stainless steel shrouds within the week. In the domes are a 50 - 75 watt basking light (depending on seasonal conditions) and two CHEs controlled by thermostats to keep the enclosure at 85 degrees. The basking light and 10.0 Reptisun UVBs are controlled by the exo terra light controller (nice and water resistant) and timers.
Next up, placing the window. I thought about doing the entire side in plexi but decided on a small window to allow the tort some privacy as well as not allowing it to see out (debatable topic).
Trying out placement first...
Time to start working on the inside.
Fogger Placement
Thinking about interior division, I knew I wanted a grass side and an eco earth side with a stone path, sunken hide with basking area and a sunken water area.
I used stone tile from the bath section because of the backing. It keeps it all together so the tortoise can't pick it up and still allows growth between the stones.
Flush mounting the controls, used the existing interior bulkheads to mount black plexi to cover and protect the electronics from mist, fog and general humidity. (all cables are run under the enclosure and any inside are covered by black plexi or tubing)
Used organic soil and eco earth to fill the enclosure. Bent grass seed (used on putting greens for it's ability to carpet) as well as several succulents and ferns (still have to triple check their safety) were added for hides as well grazing, all plants can be removed and replaced in a matter of minutes. I was truly amazed at just how quickly the grass grew in this environment (3 days growth shown).
I will be adding the shrouds and reflectors soon and the tanish areas you see in the pictures is more grass seed I just added around the pool and second hide to help keep the areas cleaner (the pool has steps in and will only be shallow filled with a pond stone bottom).
In the main stone hide the temperature stays at 85 degrees 95% humidity, on top under the basking light it stays at 105 degrees 80% humidity and the rest of the enclosure I can vary the temp and humidity and maintain those levels from 85 degrees and 90% humidity.
I will update this thread over the next week to show the finished product. Next up the soaking area and the outdoor enclosure. I look forward to any constructive input.