New Enclosure

[DSaenz]

Question: We built this yesterday and after it was all done I realized that we did not include any ventilation. What kind of ventilation should I add and where. I want to prevent it from getting too cold for the torts in the winter but I know I need to get them some air circulation. Any suggestions?

Dimensions (72"L x 30"D x 30"H)

This is my hubby and my son hard at work

Here is the finished product

A closer Shot

Here it is with the door open

and here it is with both doors open

I was thinking of adding a vent on the side but not sure if it makes a difference whether I add it closer to the top or the bottom. Since heat rises to the top I thought it might make more sense to add it to the top but would it get too cold or create too much draft in the winter if I did that?

I still need to add tile to the bottom and I think I'm going to use timothy hay in there.

I would like some advise and maybe some constructive criticism....I think


(I hope I added my pictures correctly this time

 

[pdrobber]

looks good! I don't know about ventilation/insulation/heating though.

 

[lynnedit]

My guess is you don't need to worry as it is not air tight, and you will be letting your tort out each am?
As far as heat, what kind of tort do you have? This really determines the kind of heat you set up.
Is it a larger tort like a Sulcata? If so, the heat mats (pig blankets) work very well with a thermostat. There are a lot of threads about these. They can't be covered with any substrate, but the torts don't mind. Then depending on your night/cool temps, you may also need a black light bulb or CHE in a secure fixture above.
Tell us more about the kind of tort, size, and your high/low temps, where your tort is kept during the day, etc.
Nice sunny day, and very nicely done hide box!

 

[DSaenz]

My guess is you don't need to worry as it is not air tight, and you will be letting your tort out each am?
As far as heat, what kind of tort do you have? This really determines the kind of heat you set up.
Is it a larger tort like a Sulcata? If so, the heat mats (pig blankets) work very well with a thermostat. There are a lot of threads about these. They can't be covered with any substrate, but the torts don't mind. Then depending on your night/cool temps, you may also need a black light bulb or CHE in a secure fixture above.
Tell us more about the kind of tort, size, and your high/low temps, where your tort is kept during the day, etc.
Nice sunny day, and very nicely done hide box!

This is for my DT's. This will be for them to sleep in at night and they will be able to roam free in my yard during the day. My main concern is keeping them locked up and safe during the night. I live in So. California so we might get a few nights that might get down to 40 degrees but for the most part it usually stays in the 50's during the winter nights and low to mid 70's during the day. The hide box came out better than I expected and it's pretty snug/tight which is why I was concerned about ventilation. We used the thickest wood available at the hardware store.

 

[Tom]

You do not need any ventilation. Think "burrow". The only ventilation on a burrow is the door hole, same as yours. There will also be enough air leaking through the top. Putting insulation all the way around will make it much easier to maintain temps and save you a lot of money on electricity. I use an oil heater on my own separate thermostat (the ones that are built in are NOT adequate) to heat a similar sized box. I also use bermuda hay on the floor and it works great for my sulcatas. Of course they eat it and I have to replace it all the time... Here's my effort:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/Thread-The-Mother-of-All-Tortoise-Boxes#axzz1hqSma6av

 

[DSaenz]

You do not need any ventilation. Think "burrow". The only ventilation on a burrow is the door hole, same as yours. There will also be enough air leaking through the top. Putting insulation all the way around will make it much easier to maintain temps and save you a lot of money on electricity. I use an oil heater on my own separate thermostat (the ones that are built in are NOT adequate) to heat a similar sized box. I also use bermuda hay on the floor and it works great for my sulcatas. Of course they eat it and I have to replace it all the time... Here's my effort:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/Thread-The-Mother-of-All-Tortoise-Boxes#axzz1hqSma6av

Very nice hide box!! I think I might have to build another one like that once my baby sullies get bigger. Do you remember who the lady was that you got your vinyl flap material from? Do you know if she still sells it?

 

[Yvonne G]

Just do a GOOGLE search for vinyl strip doors. You get many, many hits. But be sure to look for vinyl that stays supple in very cold temps.

I love that tortoise house. And, like Tom, I don't think you'll need to add any ventilation.

 

[DSaenz]

Just do a GOOGLE search for vinyl strip doors. You get many, many hits. But be sure to look for vinyl that stays supple in very cold temps.

I love that tortoise house. And, like Tom, I don't think you'll need to add any ventilation.

Thanks!!

---

You do not need any ventilation. Think "burrow". The only ventilation on a burrow is the door hole, same as yours. There will also be enough air leaking through the top. Putting insulation all the way around will make it much easier to maintain temps and save you a lot of money on electricity. I use an oil heater on my own separate thermostat (the ones that are built in are NOT adequate) to heat a similar sized box. I also use bermuda hay on the floor and it works great for my sulcatas. Of course they eat it and I have to replace it all the time... Here's my effort:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/Thread-The-Mother-of-All-Tortoise-Boxes#axzz1hqSma6av

Tom sorry one more question.....does your hide have a door that closes so no preditors get in at night or do you only use the vinyl strips? I am going to add vinly strips to my door way as well but I was planning on closing the door at night time which is why I was concerned about them not getting enough air circulation. I'm thinking of their burrow which is why I thought about adding vents or should I just leave the door open once I have the vinyl strips?

 

[lynnedit]

As far as heat, I think these look interesting, and you can install them on the roof (if you need heat)
http://www.reptilebasics.com/rbi-radiant-heat-panels.

 

[ascott]

You could also give the house a test run through the day and night by dropping a thermostat in there....just a thought.

 

[ALDABRAMAN]

It looks nice.