Redoing inclosure

[klinej50]

Here's what I have now

I'm buying all new wood and making it waterproof. If anyone has done this please give me some advice.

Any more advice is great as well. Hoping it looks good but my mom says it isn't pretty and we have to start all over.
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Water-

Also all my temps and humidity all meet toms tread requirements.

Also they go outside for about a hour everyday. I thought I knew the age of them but now I'm starting to second guess that. I know they are older than 2 months because that's how long I have had them. I thought they where 4 or 5 months but I saw pictures of 6 month old leopard who were like 3 times their size.

 

[Maggie and Torie the Tort]

A suggest a Terra cotta saucer for water.

 

[klinej50]

Yeah I don't like my water either and neither do my torts. They are small though and I am worried about them flipping in the water dish. I got this one because they can easily get in and out of it.

 

[wellington]

Unfortunately, that water dish is not recommended, as it is dangerous. Not me, but Tom and others know this first hand. The terra cotto saucer is much better. You can put stones or a larger rock in it to aid them on getting out, and they aren't deep enough for them to drowned in. Bury it level with the substrate.

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Oops, forgot, other then the water dish, I like the enclosure.

 

[Beck]

That big one is nice, if they use it correctly. But you shouldn't trust that they'll use it correctly every time. They're just babies after all . They might try to get out over the high side. If Terra cotta plant saucers are too deep, you can add stones to the bottom.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using TortForum mobile app

 

[Jabuticaba]

Here's what I have now

I'm buying all new wood and making it waterproof. If anyone has done this please give me some advice.

Any more advice is great as well. Hoping it looks good but my mom says it isn't pretty and we have to start all over.

...
Wow! That's a really nice enclosure! Well done!

Not pretty?? Huh?! I'm sure your torts aren't concerned with aesthetics, but even if so, I'm sure they're very happy! It's got lots of different terrain and elevations, which is great for enrichment and exercise. And if you're happy with it, then don't change anything!

Just one point of concern--and I'm still learning about tort behaviour--Would the torts try chewing on the black plastic liner? I see some of it sticking out the sides. Maybe you could try covering it up w/ logs and rocks?

Other than that, I think it's awesome!

 

[samsmom]

I think you did a wonderful job! Did you make any changes?

 

[klinej50]

Yeah I've read about people torts trying to eat it I have never seem mine do it. I am water proofing their next enclosure though so it was need the liner.

 

[WillTort2]

I would get rid of the firewood split logs. They could be a haven for termites and other wood eating varieties.

The best design for water proofing that I have used has a vinyl flooring glued down to the floor and run up the sides. You can buy it by the running foot in 12' widths so a 4' x 12' section would do a 2' x 10' table. You will have to cut and seal the corners but it's not too difficult. Allow the glue to cure for at least 48 hours before adding your substrate.

For a less expensive waterproofing you could use a urethane sealer and put 2 or 3 coats. I've used that with some success also.

Good luck. And remember the bigger the better for your torts. And 2nd story enclosures give a good exercise option for your tort.

 

[klinej50]

Thanks I might try the 2nd story. Also I have lived in this house for 6 years and have never had a problem with termites. A lot of my house is made of wood so my mom takes full precaution with termites.