Rainforest Closed Chamber Build Thread

[KevinGG]

Building an 8x4 closed chamber for the box turtles. I'll be posting progress here. So far finished with the framing.





I had plans of putting a large aquarium on top but decided against which is why the 4x4s are missing in the last picture. I'll be making a separate stand instead. (Might end up being the Hamiltonii's new aquascape winter home.) I'm using a spare door as the front of the enclosure. Should hold in heat well since it is made with double pane glass. Tomorrow will plywood interior and insulate. I expect this to be the nicest of all previous enclosures by far.

Here are the future occupants.


Lastly, a quote for tomorrow:

"In the American system of government, refusing to vote for the less-than-ideal is a vote for something much worse. Even when you don’t choose, you choose. But you can choose with your skepticism fully intact. You can choose in full awareness of the insufficiency of your options, without elevating those who would have us forget into prophets. You can choose and still push, demanding more."

- Ta-Nehisi Coates

 

[Yvonne G]

I like the re-purposing (the door). It's going to be a great place for box turtles. Looking forward to watching your progress.

 

[Anyfoot]

Looking good, can't wait to see the end product. Are you going to be using any sort of rain/mist system in there?
Love the box turtles, they look awesome.

 

[KevinGG]

Looking good, can't wait to see the end product. Are you going to be using any sort of rain/mist system in there?
Love the box turtles, they look awesome.

Still not sure. I have a mistking lying around, but I don't think I'll need it with this setup. Heat and humidity will be held in really well. Thinking I'll just use a spray bottle for the plants. I might set it up for manual use though.

 

[Anyfoot]

Still not sure. I have a mistking lying around, but I don't think I'll need it with this setup. Heat and humidity will be held in really well. Thinking I'll just use a spray bottle for the plants. I might set it up for manual use though.

I've never needed a misting system in my closed systems. I usually end up with 2 water dishes, the evaporation from those seem to keep everything just right. A quick spray of my torts every morning too.
What are they eating, my homeana hingebacks seem to have very very similar care to boxies.

 

[KevinGG]

Not sure about homeana care, but here is their diet:

Mazuri is the staple. Sometimes mix in mazuri's tortoise diet. They won't eat most fruits or veggies by themselves. All fruits and veggies have to be hidden. They seem to prefer red fruits(Strawberries, raspberries). I cut greens very finely or else they won't eat them. I don't feel greens are necessary at this age but I like to feed them. Occasionally add in some mushrooms. Red wigglers and pill bugs are in the substrate so they can eat them if they find them. I like to feed them a little bit everyday.

 

[Anyfoot]

Not sure about homeana care, but here is their diet:

Mazuri is the staple. Sometimes mix in mazuri's tortoise diet. They won't eat most fruits or veggies by themselves. All fruits and veggies have to be hidden. They seem to prefer red fruits(Strawberries, raspberries). I cut greens very finely or else they won't eat them. I don't feel greens are necessary at this age but I like to feed them. Occasionally add in some mushrooms. Red wigglers and pill bugs are in the substrate so they can eat them if they find them. I like to feed them a little bit everyday.

Similar, fruit,mushrooms,worms,slugs,snails and pillbugs, the odd millepede too. I feed protein every other day. They like it very very wet too. Also they seem to be able tolerate very low temps, actually I think they prefer it in the low 70's.
I never saw boxies until I joined this forum, and out of all the species, box turtles take my fancy, well next to the spider Tortoise.

 

[KevinGG]

Similar, fruit,mushrooms,worms,slugs,snails and pillbugs, the odd millepede too. I feed protein every other day. They like it very very wet too. Also they seem to be able tolerate very low temps, actually I think they prefer it in the low 70's.
I never saw boxies until I joined this forum, and out of all the species, box turtles take my fancy, well next to the spider Tortoise.

I notice they're most active around similar temps. Low-mid 70s. They hibernate so they can handle cold weather. Rarely bask in full sun. Won't come out of hides unless there is ample shade. These are still young so things may change as they grow. Prefer very moist soil. I kept them in very wet conditions as hatchlings and they thrived.

 

[KevinGG]

A lot of progress today. It is all insulated. I used R-13. Interior is plywood. I'm using leftover wood from some housework for the exterior. It has the look of old barn wood.






The top is framed in apitong wood. The middle is that same barn wood.





Next is sanding the interior and painting. I plan on painting the interior black and then sealing it with a nontoxic kitchen sealer. Then I'll get the door on and finish up the exterior.

Now it's time to watch the votes come in...

 

[cmacusa3]

Looks fantastic!!

 

[Tortoise_Wrangler]

I'm digging your craftsmanship, sir. Well done.

 

[KevinGG]

Thank you both

 

[KevinGG]

Tiny progress. Half of the door and the door trim have been painted. Hopefully paint the inside tomorrow.