...has anyone used it for their enclosure? My day has consisted of sunshade, high temps, rivets, PVC and the occasional potty word.
Meanwhile, Tuleo chills...
Meanwhile, Tuleo chills...
Sunshade
- Thread starter DawnH
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I have a couple of cement filled stands and some outdoors umbrellas that I use when it is super hot. But, it's tricky this time of year because we get strong winds with our summer storms and if I'm not home to close an umbrella, it could wind up in the next town..
Is that the sunshade you were asking about?
Is that the sunshade you were asking about?
No, I worry about that is well which is why I decided to make my own canopy. I want RAIN (if we get it) but less SUN. It is a shade cloth, hopin' this will do the trick for those brutal days of summer that are coming up!
http://www.lowes.com/pd_249294-304-72150___?productId=3054807&pl=1&Ntt=shade+cloth
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I see.
Here we get rain every day. Like clockwork from about 2:00 until about 5. But up until then, the heat would fry an egg.
It actually is arriving late this year.
Here we get rain every day. Like clockwork from about 2:00 until about 5. But up until then, the heat would fry an egg.
It actually is arriving late this year.
We use to have that here as well! It has been YEARS since we have had that afternoon rain (which is scary, actually.) Crazy, huh? We had nothing but rain for weeks and not a drop lately.
How do you attach the rivets? I have seen them but didn't know how to attach them?
I have shade cloth up just draped over one end and my RF like it. I hose it down with water and it drips through the cloth.
I have shade cloth up just draped over one end and my RF like it. I hose it down with water and it drips through the cloth.
Kathy, I have a punch too that I have used in the past. It works well. Now I am thinking of abandoning my first idea and doing hoops so I can use the frames for a greenhouse type enclosure when it gets cool.
(Insert more potty words here.)
Do you have a photo you can share? I am most likely totally overthinking this project. Again.
I just check temps on concrete with and without shade cloth.
96 vs 126.
On the dirt it was 100 vs 130.
I think you will love it once it's up! I can't wait to see it! I was trying to figure out how we were going to put ours up. I want it portable so I can move it in different areas in the cooler months when the sun moves.
96 vs 126.
On the dirt it was 100 vs 130.
I think you will love it once it's up! I can't wait to see it! I was trying to figure out how we were going to put ours up. I want it portable so I can move it in different areas in the cooler months when the sun moves.
Prairie Mom
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I LOVE the idea of using a light hoop tunnel! You will get multiuse out of that! Nice thinking! Just make sure you pick the material that stays cool rather than heating things up
Also, if your area is too windy, I wonder if those cheapish bamboo fence covers might be a nice option to lay over a portion of your enclosure? Something like this...http://local.kmart.com/Backyard-XScapes-Reed-Fencing/p-043W003137639000P?st=9792&sid=KDx20141117x00002xlpla#!/ ??
My little beastie has been keeping herself cool by hiding in the depths of my bushes, so that's also a good long term option.
Also, if your area is too windy, I wonder if those cheapish bamboo fence covers might be a nice option to lay over a portion of your enclosure? Something like this...http://local.kmart.com/Backyard-XScapes-Reed-Fencing/p-043W003137639000P?st=9792&sid=KDx20141117x00002xlpla#!/ ??
My little beastie has been keeping herself cool by hiding in the depths of my bushes, so that's also a good long term option.
Have you run out of potty words yet?
I have nothing to show. Mine is literally just draped over the 3' fencing. It droops down and is ugly. I just haven't gotten around to putting it on a frame. It protects my shade plants that are actually not doing well. I have an old soccer canopy I'm going to put up temporary. This is our first really hot week here.
I LOVE the idea of using a light hoop tunnel! You will get multiuse out of that! Nice thinking! Just make sure you pick the material that stays cool rather than heating things up
Also, if your area is too windy, I wonder if those cheapish bamboo fence covers might be a nice option to lay over a portion of your enclosure? Something like this...http://local.kmart.com/Backyard-XScapes-Reed-Fencing/p-043W003137639000P?st=9792&sid=KDx20141117x00002xlpla#!/ ??
My little beastie has been keeping herself cool by hiding in the depths of my bushes, so that's also a good long term option.
Yea, the sunshade material (link above) blocks 87% of UV rays. I originally thought of pretty sunbrella fabric but think this is a better option.
Since he is in a raised bed I fear laying something over it will just trap heat in. I only need half over it covered (lengthwise) so the hoops will give me the option of raising and lowering the shade as I see fit. He LOVES to hang out under his big Mexican heather (vs his hide) - he is a weirdo.
Did you just do four stakes up, grommets at each corner and hang? I thought about that originally! Do you have a photo?
No. I am still cussing like a sailor.
This week is our first week of really hot as well. I thought of making a "house" frame over his raised bed and draping from that but I think that is overkill...lol
I think the hoops will work good. I can't wait to try a cold frame with them this fall!
Are you trying to stay away from the UV blocking cloth? When you mentioned it blocks out 87% I got that impression.
Honestly, it doesn't matter if it blocks out UV. Your tort will still get plenty of rays. They don't need UV bearing down on them 24/7. Don't hesitate to use that cloth.. The cool shade is more important
Honestly, it doesn't matter if it blocks out UV. Your tort will still get plenty of rays. They don't need UV bearing down on them 24/7. Don't hesitate to use that cloth.. The cool shade is more important
I bought a big triangular sunshade from Costco last year. It is great. It came with three long attachment ropes. Less than twenty bucks. It does keep the tortoises more active during the heat of the day. Well the heat of a San Diego day.
Are you trying to stay away from the UV blocking cloth? When you mentioned it blocks out 87% I got that impression.
Honestly, it doesn't matter if it blocks out UV. Your tort will still get plenty of rays. They don't need UV bearing down on them 24/7. Don't hesitate to use that cloth.. The cool shade is more important
Oh no! Sorry Heather, I WANT that type of protection! The raised bed isn't baking in the sun all day but since we are heading out of town in the brutal heat of summer (I work from home so I can check him 20 times a day, while I am gone that won't be happening) I want to make sure that 11am - 1:30 am sun is not too much (it is fully shaded by 2:45.) Then in the fall/not so brutal months the sun will give him some nice toasty basking areas with the shade removed. Basically, I am being super paranoid/overly cautious (as per usual.)
I actually looked at one of those but where it is set up I need shade on two sides (vs straight overhead.) I am glad to hear they work so well!! The fabric has five starts and great reviews. I am excited to test it out!
Better to have too much shade than not enough when its this hot.
Once temps start nearing 100 all the shade in the world isn't going to help. They need to be able to get underground or inside a cooler structure.
Sprinklers or misters can help if your situation prevents an underground retreat, but shade alone won't matter once ambient starts climbing above 100 degrees.
Once temps start nearing 100 all the shade in the world isn't going to help. They need to be able to get underground or inside a cooler structure.
Sprinklers or misters can help if your situation prevents an underground retreat, but shade alone won't matter once ambient starts climbing above 100 degrees.
