New Outdoor Enclosure

[AJK Aquaria]

Great job. You're gonna love it when it's all finished. So will your animals.

 

[Jacqui]

Looks very nice.

 

[richosullivan]

A couple more photo's of the box (nearly complete) - just need to screw the flaps back on, move the "power box" up, and then finalize securing the wires once I'm happy where everything is.

 

[richosullivan]

Finished the box and screening the area in. Put a temporary roof on - hoping to finish the roof next weekend, and start putting in a small pond. Last photo is my black mountain hiding out in his new space.

 

[richosullivan]

Pond going in, and my assistant for the day.

 

[Souptugo]

Love it!! Wonderful job and lucky tortoise

 

[teresaf]

Looks great! Love your MEP! I have 2 the same age...How are you going change the water in the pond?

 

[richosullivan]

Sorry for the delayed response. I have the pond on a pump and filter (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016M6DODK/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20) - for the pump, i dug an area the depth of the pump itself below the rest of the pond so in the case i need to drain it, I can put the filter on the cleaning mode (if you look in the picture below, the hose with the white release valve), I can pump all the water out and refill if needed. But the filter is for ponds much larger than this, so should be able to handle the load for a while before i need to do that. I'll cover the pump with some slate rock so it's not visible from above, but leave the front open for the water to flow. I also have 10 minnows for the mosquitos.

 

[richosullivan]

Looks great! Love your MEP! I have 2 the same age...How are you going change the water in the pond?

Forgot to do it as a reply on my response post above.

 

[richosullivan]

Finally starting to get some growth form plants and weeds - just need to put down some rock around the pond:

 

[richosullivan]

And a couple of Big O enjoying the new space.

 

[MichaelaW]

Love it!

 

[mrhoyo]

Finally starting to get some growth form plants and weeds - just need to put down some rock around the pond:

View attachment 204109

Amazing

 

[GGboy17]

Do you have heating in there?

 

[richosullivan]

Do you have heating in there?

I have a house for them with a radiant heat panel that keeps it at 75 degrees. Being in Central Florida, not much use for it, but have a few nights where i'll lock them in.

 

[richosullivan]

Finally starting to see him use the house on a regular basis, this is a common view each morning as the sun hits the ramp to the house - seems to lure him out:

 

[xirxes]

As a pond specialist I have to say I understand your choice for Filter, but they are no joke the most PITA to clean types of filter of any on the market, especially with turtles/tortoises.

Better to get a good quality pump, maybe a Tidal Wave 2, and a Matala Biosteps filter. DIY is even better but PM for that info.

As with all suggestions throughout the history of time, yes they are more expensive up front, but the difference in maintenance and quality over time is easily worth 3x the difference.

This is the smallest rig we put on any small water feature to promise zero hairs pulled out over time.

Rest of your enclosure is Tortoise nirvana!!

 

[janevicki]

Wow! richosullivan you did a great job! The elevated nightbox is really nice so it won't get wet when it gets into the rainy season. Love your pictures, especially the ones where you have your torts in their new digs.

 

[richosullivan]

As a pond specialist I have to say I understand your choice for Filter, but they are no joke the most PITA to clean types of filter of any on the market, especially with turtles/tortoises.

Better to get a good quality pump, maybe a Tidal Wave 2, and a Matala Biosteps filter. DIY is even better but PM for that info.

As with all suggestions throughout the history of time, yes they are more expensive up front, but the difference in maintenance and quality over time is easily worth 3x the difference.

This is the smallest rig we put on any small water feature to promise zero hairs pulled out over time.

Rest of your enclosure is Tortoise nirvana!!

I currently have a TetraPond Water Garden Pump, 1000 GPH in a Pond Boss PSWP Pump Barrier Bag, that then feeds into the current filter i have - so far have had no issues with cleaning, but am always open to upgrading to make life easier.

 

[richosullivan]

Wow! richosullivan you did a great job! The elevated nightbox is really nice so it won't get wet when it gets into the rainy season. Love your pictures, especially the ones where you have your torts in their new digs.

It works nicely as well as it has space underneath for them - so they can go under or in, whichever suits them better on the day.