New Enclosure Build

[abclements]

Hey everybody, I haven't been posting a lot lately due to school, work, life and such but, I'm building a new enclosure for Franklin! He's well on his way to outgrowing his old 2.5'X4.5' coffee table, so it's time to upgrade. I don't have much more floor space so I decided to go up! 2 floors that will each be 6'X3'! I attached a CAD drawing of the most current model for some critique (I've CAD Modeled probably 5 or 6 lol). The ramp will have a wall.

My lingering question is that I am finally going to the MVB bulb since there will be enough space that it won't overheat the enclosure, but I am curious what you all think would be a good wattage for an enclosure of this size? It will be hung from the bottom of the second story to provide direct light on the bottom floor. I'm hoping the heat will reach the second story level, but I will have a CHE up there just in case it needs a little help.

Recap:
Do you think I should make any changes to the table before I build it?

What wattage MVB should I use for approximately a 50 cubic foot space?

Thanks for all your help over the last couple years!

 

[wellington]

That's going to be pretty cool. Btw, was wondering where you had gone too. I don't think your going to need a big wattage, it's enclosed right? I think I would go with a 100 and with the CHE as a back up, you should be fine. Don't forget to post the finished project.

 

[lismar79]

Verry cool design! I have a 6x3 and I use a 150 but mine is about 30 inches tall with no second floor

 

[abclements]

Thanks Barb! Yes it's enclosed, it's glass in the open parts. We'll go with the 100 watt and hopefully that should hold its own. I promise I'll keep this post updated once I start building! Should be soon though!

Thanks lismar! Is your enclosure closed or open?

 

[Yellow Turtle01]

Wow, that'll be really awesome! I used to have a 100w heat bulb, and I made one end of my russians table way too toasty, (almost 100' )
so I think you should be just fine with a 100w.

 

[abclements]

Good to know! I'll definitely keep an eye on it for sure and run some tests before I actually move him into the new tank.

 

[abclements]

How does everybody feel about this MVB. Its an off brand, but it is significantly less expensive...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LNO9K4Y/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

 

[Tom]

In my 4x8x2' closed chambers two 65 watt floods will take ambient from the overnight temp of 79ish up to the low 90s by the afternoon. If I crack the doors a bit for more ventilation it keeps ambient lower in the afternoon, but then I need to add more water to maintain humidity where I want it.

If you are dependent upon indoor UV for months out of the year, I would not use that bulb. It might be fine, but it might not be. I wouldn't want to trust my torts health to an unknown product. If they get real sun anyway, then I think it will be fine. My preference is to use lower wattage flood bulbs and Arcadia HO tubes for UV. A good UV meter is a must no matter what you use if your tortoise will be inside for an entire frozen winter.

 

[wellington]

I just bought two of those bulbs. I know a couple members have bought them, but no updates that I know of. I found one of my power sun bulbs, that I thought was burnt out, but it was the fixture, so I,haven't used my Blue Spots yet.

 

[abclements]

Good point Tom. Unless I hear a good solid review, I'll probably stick with the name brand ones. Unfortunately poor Franklin does have to stay inside all winter until I have a yard I can build a good heated shed. My plan is to use both tube lights and an MVB so I shouldn't have a lack of uvb type problem.

Barb, if you do get around to using them soon, would you mind posting a review?

 

[abclements]

Well after this weekend, here's what I have done! Hopefully I'll be able to finish this week!

 

[abclements]

Ya I'm apparantly terrible at taking update pictures, so here it is! Almost completely built, just have to put the front door on and let the interior finish drying. I sprayed it with a liquid rubber to water proof it. Not a cheap endeavor, so I wouldn't suggest it for people considering an inexpensive build lol I got too far in to quit before realizing how many cans I would have to use!

 

[abclements]

Well, here it is! I'm not sure where I'm going to live, but I bet Franklin will be super happy once he settles in!

 

[leigti]

Very nice!

 

[Maro2Bear]

Looking very nice. If you do more updates, could you provide the name of the CAD sw that you used. Looks great!

 

[abclements]

I kept forgetting to take pictures as I was building, That's why I have so few updates. But as for the CAD model, I just use Solid Works since that's what we use at WSU and create my own drawings.

 

[Michael Twohy]

Well, here it is! I'm not sure where I'm going to live, but I bet Franklin will be super happy once he settles in!

Looks great!

 

[bouaboua]

Look very cool!！!

 

[weldorNate]

Nice enclosure bet ur tort will love it and learn that soild works program it will help u in getting a job my regret in college was not learning enough in solid works learned a little bit but could learn more.

 

[naturalman91]

thats a awesome enclosure and a beautiful red how big is the red and what design program you use?