Need Outdoor Enclosure Advise...

[Luckie]

I want to build my tortoises an outdoor enclosure.... however the yard isn't the best spot for it because the dogs are out on the yard and I garden a lot so I'm always spraying for bugs or fertilizing something.

So I want to do it on the deck. I have a great spot for it that is partially shaded. I have space for a 10ft x3 ft enclosure. When we finally get rid of the shed, we can do something bigger in that space too... but it'll be a while before we can do that...
I have most of everything figured out. I want it to be 18 inches tall, partially covered top, partial screen top. I need to raise it up a little on some legs so it's a bit taller and allows for water to drain out of the bottom.

My one problem... what do I use as a base?

My boyfriend says that plywood would rot quickly. I do want to use a pond liner on the bottom to protect it. Using more wood on the bottom would make the enclosure extremely heavy.

I'm just not sure what would be best.... any ideas?

 

[wellington]

You can use wood and seal it. Some have used pond liners, others have used shower curtain liners and others have used plain heavy plastic.

 

[lynnedit]

Pond or shower pan liner would work very well as a base, up the wood sides for support, as long as you don't intend to move it around.
You would have to create a drain, or multiple small holes for drainage if it is outside in the rain.